Jacob's [extension] Ladder

Hee-hee...

After many months (I'm not telling), the very first quilt I ever started.....is complete!
I actually finished about a week ago, woohoo!!!

 

Recap:  Having never made a quilt, last year I joined a cyber-quilt-along (QAL) to create the "Jacob's Ladder" design. 

Thankfully, I was offered a private lesson in cutting and piecing techniques, which proved invaluable...but I still managed to make plenty of mistakes.

 

 Fast forward to last week, putting the finishing touches on...

stitching in the ditch at the border.

 

Then I meandered the borders to match the quilting by Gail.

The backside

I will add a label at some point, but this rosy-cozy flower garden is ready to wrap me in warmth and beauty come winter!

***With heartfelt gratitude to my quilting guru, the Empress of the Universe, for her time and talents spent on tutoring me in the art of machine piecing.

Binding Jacob's Ladder

The yardage of floral binding fabric was promised within 2 days of order/payment.  Heh. 

After 4 days passed, I insisted the local store find out the order status, following the lazy "sorry it hasn't arrived here...we'll let you know". 

Turns out the "other store didn't pull the bolt and ship it."  My concern was that someone might walk in and buy the last 3 yards off the shelf.

  

But anywho, thankfully it finally arrived, albeit a week and a half late.  Hmmm, that didn't sound grateful now did it....

I decided to cut my binding the length of the fabric.  It only took one cut of doubled fabric, plus a single cut of the length. 

I needed about 312 inches, and that did the trick, with only 3 initial joins and then the final meeting point.  It went pretty fast, machine attaching to the front.

Sitting watching the opening Olympic ceremonies and hand stitching the binding down on the backing.

I learned a new technique for invisible stitches, and it is taking me a loooong time, but it'll be worth it.  

  

Let the games begin!

Call Me Crazy

Jacob's Ladder is home now, back from the quilter, who did a superb job!
THANK YOU GAIL!

Just check out all that plentiful meandering!

 

I'm awfully fond of the backing.

While digging out the binding fabric, I came across two 4.5" wide strips leftover from the backing.  And whatayaknow, they were the exact length of the quilt sides!  I also had an extra remnant...hmmm...

Huh?...what's that you say?...you're seeing a border that wasn't there before?

Can you say "unconventional"?  I know...it's WRONG to add borders now!  So,

CALL THE BORDER POLICE!

I managed to sew the borders to the flimsy alone, not through all the layers.

As I was cutting strips for binding from the small piece of left over floral, it appeared there wouldn't be enough to go around.  Sure, I could piece it with some other pink ~ even considered piecing with these 2:

 

 but my heart had been set on the floral alone.  

 
Off I go to Joann's...checking there for several days, and it's all gone (btw, they're having a "Coupon Commotion" week ~ use several 50% off coupons in a single visit!).

I checked the interwebs, Etsy, etc. ~ nope.  

Finally, I dug out my receipt of original purchase, called Joann's, and they located some yardage in another store within the state...yippee!  I should have it sometime this week ~  HAPPY DANCING!

JL Quilt Update

I took a road trip early this week to deliver the Jacob's Ladder sandwich to the quilter's, so it is officially awaiting its turn!

It will be a few weeks, but well worth the wait ~ the plan is free motion quilting!

And LOOKY what arrived earlier in the week ~ I'm thrilled to pieces with these Kona prints by Kate Spain (and others) from a big sale at Quilt Kit Market.

 Now to decide on a quilt design!

And these have continuously brightened my days:

 I just adore Glads.

Quilt Sandwich Anyone? Why, yes please.

 I'M   SO   GLAD

...that I had 2 market tables to use.

...that the skies were finally clear today.

...that Mr. T is so helpful and supportive, even after a day's work.

(Would these clamps be big enough?)

 ...that the mosquitoes weren't successful in carrying me off while basting.

 ...that I had bought THREE packs of basting pins, and only today learned which brand NOT to buy again.

...that we're on daylight savings time, so I wasn't still pin-basting at dusk.

...that I finished making a JL quilt sandwich!

...AND...

that I get to send it to someone else to quilt!

Audition Report

From  comments on yesterday's post, here and on Facebook, #1 was the main choice in every remark,

 'tho #3 was a close second! 

Just something about damask that is pleasing...and I'm going with #1, as it really "spoke" to me at the store!

Many thanks to everyone who "opinionated".

 

Since you're here, have a look at 2 lil bargains I picked up when getting swatches: 

A couple of 50% off of half price remnants (double bargain!)

A sumptuous pink flannel, plus a watercolor cotton, and both are just under a yard!

I also thumbed through studied these books while there:

 

Yes, I was there a long time!
 I

these
books!

So, I went this afternoon to make the big purchase for backing, armed with my coupon for a single cutting...I bought 4 yards, and as there was only 1/2 yard left on the bolt, she offered half price to take it, so I did ;-)

and had a 2nd coupon for this book!

(with thanks to Mr. for going with).

 Just feast your eyes on these beauties!

Drool!

Auditions!

Went back to Joanne's today, and I declare these choices weren't there last time!

I'm so excited to find these 4 options for backing on my Jacob's Ladder quilt ~ and one of these WILL be the winner!  I like them all really.

This one reminds me of the pink ladder fabric...it's a damask:

This one is leafy, and I think would be appropriate:

Also a strong candidate:

My least favorite, but wanted to include it:

And now the line up all together:

Which do you think?