This backing is a MONSTER!
Who’s big idea was it to make this a king sized quilt to fit the king bed at the cabin, anyway?
Oh yeah--
That would be ME!
After I sent off the last two sections of the next book to my editor this morning ((YES!! WE DID IT!! It is ALL in the capable hands of Jenifer now!)) I started measuring and figuring and deciding what to do.
After trying the quilt on the bed, I added about 1.5” to the width of the originally planned outer border so that it would hang right. I know it is going to shrink up in quilting a bit. ALL quilts do.
I had purchased fabric in Pennsylvania with Mary Koval on one of our running around shopping days this past July – and I knew even then that this quilt was going to be big ---but not THIS big! I ended up “THAT MUCH” too short.
I love this fabric though! It’s got all of our colors for Celtic Solstice in it – so what can I do?
I pulled a second contrasting fabric to be an accent stripe!
Isn't this blue beady fabric fun?
Cut several 8” widths of the blue bead fabric…and sew end to end.
Insert the blue strips between lengths of the green originally intended backing fabric!
It’s even a monster to iron!
But here is the blue stripe inserted between the panels of green. There will be TWO blue stripes..I’m in the process of treadling the next panel together! Yes. Treadling. By far my 227M is the smoothest treadle machine in the fleet! She doesn’t have pretty decals – but what a smooth sailing machine.
I better get back to it….I’d like to get this loaded in the machine this evening ---but then….
I just remembered….
I’m going to have to piece a batting too! I don’t have a king batting on hand. I’ll cut from my roll to get the length I need and add to the width with remnants I’ve got laying around.
If I don’t resurface any time soon – send a search party!
Bonnie, Love the backing can't wait to start on the top. I'm going to practice with the rulers and try to get the "hang" of using them. Just made a lap size for my sister with the boxy stars pattern. I love the way it went together. Going to dig the camera out and take some pic's. Thank you for sharing your time and patterns with us all. Can't wait for quilt-cam tomorrow night. Thanks again Tish
ReplyDeleteI guess I am sort of peeking at you working on your backing! Looks fun!!!
ReplyDeleteOh you are such a tease showing us the backing!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see the rest of it.
Oh my goodness you are the scrappy quilter of inventiveness.......nothing slows you from your mission :0) This is going to be one huge quilt.....how much do you think it will weigh?
ReplyDeleteI love a heavy quilt on me when I sleep........good luck getting it on the machine
and I hope the quilting goes smoothly. Hey Bonnie how many quilts do you think you have made?
Happy Sewing
You are working so hard ……. but it will be so much fun for us!
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love your backing fabric! Luscious! And the contrasting fabric works wonderfully with it! Congrats on the fab solution! Happy quilting!
ReplyDeleteI love the green and orange fabric, and the blue stripe will set it off well. You are a machine! I don't know how you find time to do all you do. You are the Energizer Bunny!
ReplyDeleteThanksgiving will be here before we know it. I have not made my mind up on going with your colors or if I should boldly go with color choices of my own. I am such a chicken....decisions decisions!
ReplyDeletecan't wait to see the top. My very first quit was for a king size bed. It a wonder i kept quilting LOL
ReplyDeleteOh gosh, I need to get to the store for paint chips! Can't decide how bright want to go - I'm more of a muted gal. :) But, if Thanksgiving is coming up fast, then so is the start of the mystery. Love your backing, and I really <3 the blue fabric.
ReplyDeleteDarn it---I was soooo hoping for an accidental glance at the TOP!!!!! LOL
ReplyDeleteHi Bonnie, Yes, I know. It is very tough to iron a King sized backing, It's tough to iron a Queen sized backing! My least favorite job, because no matter how many times you press it, it will still end up with wrinkles...Have my fabrics all ready, they're definitely brighter than what I usually buy. I'm a CW kind of Gal. But I'm sure it will be a Lovely quilt....
ReplyDeleteI like CW too. Thought of doing poison green cheddar chrome yellow and indigo with shirtings.
DeleteLewjacks had it right up above, but I think she should spell it Energizer Bonnie!
ReplyDeleteInstead of fighting with those big backings to iron...go ahead and load on the longarm and then iron the seams on the rollers. Much quicker! Can't remember where I picked up that tip.
ReplyDeleteBonnie, How do you wash a quilt that large? I have queen size on my bed and barely enought room in my front loader washer.
ReplyDeleteBonnie, I'm soooo looking forward to seeing this on your King bed!
ReplyDeleteGetting anxious to begin Celtic Solstice. Love the colors. Thanks Bonnie
ReplyDeleteBonnie, I'm a new reader to your site. I was intrigued by the Celtic Solstice quilt primarily because my daughter and I will have the pleasure of being in Ireland this next spring. Can't wait to see the Cliffs of Moher and be in Dublin for St. Patty's Day!!!!. I've never participated in a mystery quilt before and am looking forward to it for so many reasons! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI just finished selecting my colors for the mystery quilt just in time to participate in the N. Virginia Quilters Quest where I hope to find the fabrics I need. Sooo looking forward to the clues!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to start this mystery! Even with a East/West across Australia drive in the third week I have everything ready so I can sew on the go!! may be hand sewn but all the bits will get cut out that week and a marathon sewing session the week after should catch me up. Sew excited for the mystery and the move.
ReplyDeleteMerciful heavens Bonnie.... a king size is SO huge. Don't you feel a bit like you are quilting an entire football field? Those fabric say Bonnie K. if I ever saw fabric that does. Now you have me wondering about this mystery...fun!
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JUlieinTN
Can't wait to see the finished result! I just sent my king-size Easy Street off to the long-arm quilters. It measured 110 x 110, so I didn't even add borders to it. Can't wait to get it back and send you a picture.
ReplyDeleteI've make three king size quilts all on a portable 16 stitch Kenmore and my table was a small student sized desk. I look back and wonder 'how did I do that'? I would never try that now.
ReplyDeleteYou are a work horse. You never cease to amaze me. By the way "Elizabeth" St. Patrick wouldn't be please in being called "Patty" (a girl's name). He is always referred to as Paddy! LOL.
ReplyDeleteGood morning Bonnie! Are you consumed by batting and backing? Should the search party begin? ;o) It's exciting to read that you're in the finishing stages of "Celtic Solstice." Last night at our guild meeting I stood up and asked how many members were going to participate. Some honestly forgot that it was that time of year again. My comment: "Well let's get this party started." If life does not get in the way, I hope to have some Friday "Celtic Solstice" parties. THANK YOU for bringing quilters together.
ReplyDeleteBonnie, I love the happy colors you have chosen for Celtic Solstice. The backing adds to the cheerfulness. The members of my sewing group get to hear all about your patterns and adventures at every meeting. In fact, they are beginning to say, "You got the idea from Bonnie Hunter." They save their smallest scraps for me and laugh when I say that I am using all of them. Even though they see what can become of the small scraps, they aren't ready to tackle the small pieces. Maybe someday.
ReplyDeleteGotta love "make do" backings! I do think pieced backs are more fun than plain :)
ReplyDeleteI can not wait to start the Celtic Solstice quilt. I love the colors you chose can not wait to see the finished quilt. Love the fabrics for the back too.
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