fun discovery -- Ricky, I owe you a huge thank you!!

[fiquilts]

Progress so far, "oops-es" included....

Here's the EQ7 image of what the final version will be, then the top thus far (the center section) -- I ended up figuring sizes, then when I arranged, I just staggered the purple/Ricky fabric and then trimmed off the outside edges to be even, LOL. So, kind of improv after all. Then what I've got ready for the border thus far; you can see I flipped a few pieces so am doing some unsewing today and then some resewing to try and get the 2 side borders together.







The border piece is just laid out, though each section is assembled. The red/black in top right/bottom left is the part I need to undo, swapping which piece is on top in each section, so that the red is outside on top/inside on bottom. I didn't realize those wouldnt' just flip over to be correct; I am quite geometrically challenged, LOL!

The measurements for top/bottom and side/side are different (for the pieces I need to cut) so cut just the sides and will put those together then cut the top/bottom and do that, then the corner stones, so that I don't mix up pieces. As I mix up placement any time I have something complicated, I don't need the extra complication of mixing up sizes, too! I have *got* to start paying more attention to placement when I get busy chain sewing. Things I think will just flip over, don't. Ah well, live and learn. Hopefully I'll actually *learn* this lesson this time

Will use the Ricky Tims fabric for the binding as well, and decided with my husband that recycled denim from our blue jeans will make a great back for this! I will leave out the batting layer so it's not too heavy (he wants a lighter quilt anyway), and a friend suggested 1/2" seams when I put the denim together and press open for less bulk, so will do that. I have most of the jeans cut and ready to go, just need to join them. I plan to do the side borders today, put together the back tomorrow so I can see if I have enough denim or need to find some more, then do the top/bottom Friday and finish off the borders/assembly this weekend so I can quilt next week. If all goes well and there's not more unsewing to do........

[Zarah]

You work really fast. It looks very good. Interesting border.

[Zarah]

thanks Norma! My husband is a chemist, so the border is elongated to more closely resemble a twisted DNA strand instead of a traditional chain. That's also why one is one color (changing from dark/med/light/med) and the other is the other color (in light/med/dark/med). I could do a solid black chain and applique the DNA strand in a more fluid manner, but I am applique adverse and wanted/needed the EQ7 to tell me if I had enough fabric or not.

And I only work fast on weekends Today so far I've gotten the unsewing done, but none of the resewing yet.....

[Renata]

Color combination turned out really great, Heather, and I like what you designed for a border.

[clhdabb]

I really like this quilt, Heather!

[clhdabb]

Heather--I think you can quit calling yourself a beginner.

[idaho]

[djane]

Heather--I think you can quit calling yourself a beginner.

I totally agree with Ritzy. Heather--your quilt is wonderful. I love the DNA strands today. Very appropriate for a chemist.

[Zarah]

I love how all your elements have meaning for your husband. You just get better and better. Thanks for telling us that it was not "just" a border :lol:

[lotti]

Loving this quilt. So fab!

[twiglet]

Wow, this is going to be amazing

[twiglet]

thanks so much you guys!! I'm having fun with this one, and I can see how much I've improved in my construction techniques, too; this is going to be my best quilt yet, I think.

I finished the 2 side borders and got those put on today. Much faster without having to unsew all the parts, LOL! So far this quilt --- 3 bobbins used up, 15 seams ripped out, and about 10 to 12 hours of work if you count the cutting, piecing, seam ripping, sewing, etc. That's very rough estimate thus far, as I don't really time and all my time is sit down, sew a bit, get up, help someone with his math, sew some more, fix a snack for someone else, sew some more, help someone with an English question, remember what I was doing, go back to sew some more, realize I am hungry so stop and eat, etc. But it's coming together easily and quickly now that I've gotten 2 sides of border done.

Tomorrow I'll mess with getting the blue jeans ready and together, so I can see if I need to hit the resale shop on Saturday or not, and then depending on time hopefully will also cut all the pieces for the top/bottom border. I won't plan to start on that until the weekend. It's my birthday Saturday so I should get lots of time to sew If all goes well, still should have a finished top by the end of the weekend, and then all next week to quilt it. Our anniversary is the 18th, so would be *lovely* to get it done by then, maybe!!

[lotti]

:P Happy birthday Heather!
Washing you good health, good fun, success in your Quilty and all other endeavors, and many many smiles!
:P :P :P

[Zarah]

Happy Birthday, Heather. I hope you have a wonderful day .

[twiglet]

Happy Birthday have a good day