This quilt top is a result of one of the friendship block exchanges in which I participate. This exchange was a couple of years ago. I put the cottage blocks together fairly soon after the exchange, but I was unable to decide on a border design. I took this top to my last quilting retreat and held it up and asked for ideas. The quilter who gave us the idea for this exchange said that many of the quilters in her group used a floral fabric for the border. That gave me impetus to decide what to do. The next step was to find a suitable floral fabric to use.
While perusing my fabrics last week, I finally decided on this floral. I do not have many florals in my stash. For a few moments I thought about taking my top to a fabric store and see what I could find. Then I chastised myself and said I need to use up some of my stash so I determined that I would NOT go out and purchase more fabric for this purpose.
I do like the floral fabric I chose. I wanted something to brighten up this top, and it had to have some of the colors found in the blocks as well. I have a beautiful bright yellow, orange and pink floral, but it was too bright for this project. Our group enjoyed making these blocks. For me it was lots of fun looking for different things to put into each block. It was also fun to see what the other quilters did with their blocks. Well, one more set of exchange blocks sewn together. On to the next set, and the next one, etc. etc. etc.!
Yesterday I realized that my "finishes" are getting farther apart. I started out in January of this year with lots of purpose and energy. As I recall I think I do that every year. The difficult part is sticking to my goals. It is like being on a diet...sometimes it works great and sometimes it doesn't work so well. I still have a backing to make for this top before it can be quilted.
There is another quilt (I know, you are saying, "What, just one?") waiting for me in my sewing room that only needs a border and a backing, then it will be ready for quilting, too. If I can stick to my goals, I can get these "almost finished" tops done and on the way to their final destination, whatever that may be.
Until next time.....Happy Quilting
