Two More Finishes
I have two more finishes to show you today. Both of these have been in my UFO stack, one for about a year, and one for far more longer than that. I’ve been spending a lot of time in my quilt room for the past week or two. It’s been so hot here. I spied one of our squirrels splooting on our deck rail the other morning, and he was enjoying it so much he allowed me to snap a quick photo.
I should’ve just invited him in, I’ve certainly had plenty of squirrels partying in my quilt room lately. They’ve been helpful, though, motivating me to finish some old UFOs. Let’s begin with the oldest one of the two. While going through bins, I came across this very old wall quilt. It was one I made when I first started quilting.
The pine trees are fused, and the fusible is so stiff, almost like paper. Honestly, I was considering tossing the whole thing, I wasn’t very attached to it. My daughter saw it and said she wanted it, so that motivated me to finish it. I did some quick straight line quilting in a medium olive thread – it blended really well with the tan and the other colors. I used a scrap piece of Hobbs 80/20 batting and a tan fabric for the backing. I pulled out my binding scraps and found some that worked with the colors. The finished size is approximately 18″ x 36″. I’m glad my daughter will use it and it’s no longer in my UFO stack!
Last fall, during the Passport to Quilting Holiday Edition, Krista Moser shared this quick pattern, and I wrote about making the top in this post. i did mention in that post that it was a little late to use for the fall season, and that I’d use it next year. I finished it the other day.
This was made using a mini 60 degree ruler. It was fast and fun. All of the fabrics were from my stash. It is really bright! Here’s a peek at the back, using another fabric from my stash, and one that is equally bright. Haha.
I had just enough of the dark orange for the binding. For the quilting, I stitched straight lines 1-inch apart using Aurifil 50 wt thread in Desert Dawn (#4648). The finished size of this runner is 12″ x 36″ (from point to point). This is going up in my quilt room, if it fits in the spot. I’ll post a photo if it does.
When I posted my improv finish the other day, Wilbs was a bit put out that I forgot to share this photo of his awesome help with that quilt.
He is feeling quite at home in my new space, and has really taken the initiative to be extra helpful as often as possible. And no worries, that rotary blade was closed so none of his furs or skin got nicked. He does look good on that Kona Cadet though, doesn’t he?
Those two new finishes will be the last for a bit. I’m taking a few days off to go north and see some fall colors and water while at a cozy cabin. I’ll be back next week, but you might see some posts on Instagram.
Wendy
30 Days of Improv Finish
25 Comments
Tracie
Two great finishes! I’m glad you finished the wall hanging for M because it’s cute. It gives me the feeling of your home when we first met. And the bright leaves are so cool and would look at home in the Minneapolis Institute of Art. I hope you enjoy fall colors during your trip. The trees are already turning yellow and red. Leaves are falling after the days of hot wind.
Kate
Very fun finishes! Love the bright colors in your table runner. Wibs does look quite at home on your cutting mat. Enjoy your time away. I think our autumn may not arrive till October.
Stitchin at Home
Two less UFO’s, soon you’ll have all of those UFO’s done… right? Enjoy your trip!
Helen
Both are really pretty pieces. I know how good it feels to finish something that’s been hanging around a while and even better when it goes to a new home where it’s loved!
The Joyful Quilter
Congratulations on finishing up a couple of UFOs, Wendy! Well done. Enjoy you leaf peeking trip… I’m so JEALOUS!!! I was just thinking about a mountain getaway over the weekend since it’s been so hot here.
Quilting is in my Blood
That fall runner is gorgeous. I have that pattern and may have to make one next fall.
Cocoa Quilts
Wendy how fun to get two UFOs onto the finished stack. I’m working on several topper, runners as well. Love your leaf peeping trips, we don’t have much color down here.
Karen
seeing fall colors sounds like so much fun – I don’t think I will see any for over a month still – finally today I think won’t be in the 90’s I’m so tired of the heat it has worn me out this summer
Brenda @ Songbird Designs
They are both great finishes. Love the houses and trees, but really love that runner! Those leaves are fantastic. I think I have that pattern in my downloads from Passport to Quilting! Thanks for reminding me of that! Glad to see Wilbs is such a great helper! LOL
Cheree
Congrats on finishing up some past projects. That always feels so good! I really enjoyed Krista Moser when she spoke to our guild last year. Such talent!
Rochelle Summers
I love the bright colors of the table topper. The backing is a wonderful choice. It is fantastic that your daughter likes the other UFO and was pleased to receive it. Wilbs does want to be the star of the show, doesn’t he. While you have been melting back there we had rain here in NV…it felt like fall over the weekend. And you may have read about all the Burners stuck in the mud in the middle of the Black Rock Desert. High Drama!! A trip to see the leaves and sleep in a cabin sounds wonderful.
Yvonne @Quilting Jetgirl
Enjoy your time up North! Wilbur definitely knows his colors; Cadet compliments him beautifully. And hooray for your daughter getting to enjoy and use the older UFO turned finish and that fall runner is a stunner. 🙂
Laura
Interesting how our tastes evolve over time! I am so glad that your daughter loves the primitive wall hanging! It will be treasured instead of rejected! Love the bright table runner…such vibrant fall colors! After finishing both of these it is no wonder that you want to head for the woods! Well done and have fun! 🙂
Diann@LittlePenguinQuilts
Your cabins and pinetrees are so cute – I’m glad your daughter likes it! You never know who your quilts are going to appeal to. The leaf runner is wonderful- so fun and bright! Have a great getaway – we’re getting out of town next week, too, and I can hardly wait!
Kathleen McCormick
Lovely finishes. I am so glad your daughter helped you along in getting the one done. That leaf runner is gorgeous – love the brights and the backing. You will enjoy having it out this fall. Enjoy your trip…we are in Boston for a few days the beginning of next week…now that the labor day travel is over it might be safe out there!
Janine @ Rainbow Hare
These are great finishes. I hope you enjoy your trip 🙂
texasquiltgal
Those colors and leaves are spectacular! Hoping you see something that pretty on your trip. Looking forward to any photos you might post on IG.
Right after I saw Wilbs in his sploot, I walked through the house and there was Jack splooting for me – lol!
rl2b2017
Hi Wendy! Oh, how cool that your daughter loved the pine trees enough to have you salvage them. It would have been a shame to toss them (although I’ve had similar thoughts lately). I just LOVE the colors and fabrics in your second UFO finish!!! Wow, it is just the perfect brightness to cheer any cloudy day of which we’ve had two in a row. Wilbs definitely looks FAB in Cadet. Safe travels!! I’m just a wee bit jelly – I love your pictures at the Lake and right now a cabin visit sounds so pieceful. Right up your alley. Have loads of fun. {{Hugs}} ~smile~ Roseanne
Mari
Love the leaves! So bright and cheerful. And it’s always nice when an unloved project becomes loved again. Congrats on your two finishes, and enjoy up north– always a great place!
Joanna
I had to laugh when I saw the photo of your primitive wall hanging. It brought to mind all the unfinished similar projects that showed up at my quilt guild’s swap meet. Glad yours got finished and appreciated.
Preeti Harris
I don’t know what I love more – the autumn leaves or the supercute Wilbs. I must take a look at Krista Moser’s pattern. Have a great weekend!
Danice G
It is always good to finish some UFOs. I have been working on that for a few years, but keep sewing more quilt tops. Yours look wonderful.
marissthequilter
Well done on two more finishes. I love the brightness of those autumn leaves. Trust you had / are having a good trip north
nanacathy2
Have a lovely break, sounds perfect. Really like the quiltvwith the trees and cabins, perfectly goes with your trip.
Jocelyn Thurston
Two great finishes indeed. That first quilt would fit right in here at the wooden house and I’m happy it has gone to a good home, LOL. Also love those oranges and that Cadet Blue (what a great name) is certainly highlighting Wilbs’ fabulous colourings. Now I’m wondering what fabulous stitching will be next, Wendy.