My First Real Quilt!!!

See this? This is the last stitch I made in my Family Memories Quilt. Yes, it's finally finished. And what a feeling. I was getting more and more excited as the day went on. Each step done, a step closer and closer to the completion of the biggest quilting project I've ever taken on.

And this morning I dressed Daughter No. 3's bed with her new quilt. I really wasn't sure if she would like it even though right along she has only made positive comments about it. I really wasn't sure if I even liked it. I know how many hours and hours I spent quilting the jolly thing but that doesn't mean it's going to look nice.

Lucky for me, seeing it all straight and neat on her bed today, with the sun shining through her window, I loved, loved, loved it!!!!! And when I called her in to see, she loved it too and gave me a huge hug. The little girls immediately jumped on the bed to find their favorite squares. I love it how they all like different ones. It's quite a fun game for all of us.

I think Elsa Bear quite likes it too. What do you think?

I decided to make patchwork binding too. I just thought that it would suit the look really well and I'm so glad I did. I used fabrics from the quilt and cut them at random lengths. All I had to do was cut them, throw them to Daughter No. 2, and she laid them out. Then she passed them to me in order while I stitched them together. So very helpful.

And a dream came true for me as well. I have always wanted to see a folded up a quilt that I've made. Look at all those beautiful colours!

It's looking a bit flat really, as it's not washed yet. I'll probably inflict you with more photos after the washing and drying stage. It's currently in the washing machine as I type.

It was really difficult to find a sunny place to photograph it in it's entirety. This will have to do at the moment. Half and half shots.

Look at all that stippling!!! I don't even want to guess how many hours I spent doing all that stitching! I really was completely bored doing the last quarter.

And a really bad photo of the whole thing. It measures 60" x 97" and fits perfectly on her single bed, with plenty left over in the length for tucking in.

No you really must pop on over to this fabulous site and check out the pattern I bought yesterday.

I saw it first on twiddletails. It's the Garden Party quilt. Isn't it just the cutest collection of quilts? The flowers and butterflies are all fused on and then machine stitched in place. Much easier than they look. I think I'll be making a cushion to match. I love the initial one! There is actually a pattern on 'Don't look now's' blog to make a cushion if you are interested. I am having one printed out today.

Also very good news today. Kim, my giveaway winner has made contact and is very pleased to have won my goodies. Well done Kim! I'll be sending them off this week.

I hope you are all having a good start to the new week. Maybe you have a new project on the way? I'm off to buy some more backing fabric for No. 2's quilt now. Not as much quilting this time!