Border for Batik BOM

As you can see I am working on the border for my batik UFO (that should have finished last year).  I took this project to my last retreat to work on and found that the fabrics in the BOM kit for the border was short fabric.  I measured all the batik pieces included in the packet for the border but could not determine what piece was for which part of the border since none of the fabrics measured the accurate amount that was written in the pattern.

It was with much regret that I put aside this project at retreat for it was clear I could not finish it without the proper amount of fabric.  I finally picked up this project (well it fell at my feet if you really need to know the truth) and I decided that I could pull fabrics from my own stash and make the borders the colors that I like.  So I did just that.  (Such a novel idea,  I know, using my own fabrics!)  LOL!  I remember that is why I did not sew the borders together when I finished the center unit - there was not enough fabric in the kit, which I realized a couple of months after the BOM program was over.  Also, the fabrics were not the same colors as the pattern picture and there was no legend for me to know which of the fabrics in the kit were for which part of the border.  I am sure the teacher told the class about the substitutions, but I was either late, or was too overwhelmed with the info to remember it. 

The monthly blocks had a legend included in each packet so we knew which fabric was intended for the correct pieces in the block.  There was no legend in the packet with the border fabrics (or else I lost it and did not know that I lost it).

In some of the blocks I had already substituted my own fabrics, or changed the colors with other leftover fabrics from another block.  It amazes me that it took me so long to come to the conclusion that I could change the fabrics in the border as well!  What a revelation!  When I finally had this epiphany I immediately pulled out some of my batik fabrics, checked the measurements of the batik pieces I liked, then started cutting out the border pieces.

Each day since my epiphany I have been squeezing out (at least) "15 minutes a day" to work on this border.  I have been surprised at how much sewing I have accomplished in such a short time span.  There are 32 blocks in the border plus lattice units (which I have yet to sew together).  When all those parts are sewn, then I can assemble the top, bottom, and side borders and sew them to the center unit.  Hopefully they will all fit!  BIG LOL! 

Until then.....

Happy Quilting

Mystery Block

While searching through my bins looking for a set of blocks, I encountered this painted block.  I do not remember where it came from.  It might have been my mother's, or I might have taken a class years ago and have forgotten about it (probably the answer).  The bottom line is I do not know where or when I created/obtained this block.  Do you have any projects like this - a mystery project? 

It appears that it has been painted with fabric paint.  I heat set it today to make sure it did not bleed or fade away.  Is it possible it was made for a pillow top?  If there were more painted flowers, it could be a medallion block, maybe?  My mother and I took a fabric painting class years and years ago.  This could have been one of our projects from that class. 

Since I moved into my current sewing room, I have dived into my UFO projects with a passion.  Last month I finished a lap quilt which is being quilted at this moment.  Also I finally made a back for another Halloween quilt and took it to the quilter along with the lap size community quilt (which I also sewed together the backing).  Making backings for my quilt tops is a struggle for me.  Often all it entails is piecing two pieces of fabric together - just one seam.  That is so difficult for me to accomplish.  For me making backings for quilts is the least desirable part of making a quilt. There are several quilt tops in a pile on my sewing table (in the other room) that are needing backs.  I should invite some others quilters over and we could have a back making day.  It is possible that all my lonesome quilt tops could be made ready for quilting in one day (if I could get my act together and get them done).  Well, until then.....

Happy Quilting