Yippeel! I finally finished hand-quilting Sue Garman’s Bouquet For A New Day! I took the last stitch on Friday night at approximately 11:15 pm!
I had a relatively free weekend ahead, so I was bound and determined to bind this quilt. I noticed that the quilt was a little ruffled around the edges, so I ran a basting stitch around all four sides about 1/4″ away from the edge. It helped to keep all 3 layers together.
Next. I measured 4 1/4″ away from the red inner border and proceeded to trim all the way around. (Rather stressful. So much can go wrong at this point!)
All of the marking on this quilt (the cross-hatching and the cable border) were done with a Frixion marker. At this point I removed all of the markings with a steam iron. I did not touch the quilt top with the iron, I just held the iron a couple of inches above the quilt and let the steam remove the marks. Here are some before and after pictures.
Oh! And remember when I marked the top border with 2013 (the year the quilt was supposed to be finished)? Here it is.
Then, I (we) stitched the binding in place.
I like to stitch my binding on to the front of the quilt and hand stitch it to the back. I watched 4 episodes of Big Bang Theory while I stitched by hand….so it took about 2 hours!
One of the many things I love about blogging is that I have a permanent record of the quilts I am working on. I started hand-quilting Bouquet For a New Day in October 2012. You can look back on that post here.
And…the best part is…I finished it on Sunday, September 29, 2013!
Til next time…
Kerry
Simple Bird Applique 
Thank you for letting me take this journey with you, Kerry. I joined late and plan to check your archives for the rest of the story. Your quilt is exquisite. Would love to see it in person. It just dawned on me that I reached you through Caron Mosey. Thinking I’ll have to start a directory with notes that reflect my connections to this beautiful world of quilters like you. .
Thanks or the lovely comment! You made my day!!
Wow it’s beautifull Kerry !
Thanks, Dagmar!
What a masterpiece! Congratulations, Kerry. It is so beautiful!
Thanks so much!
Perfectly lovely!
Thanks, Kathy!
Thanks for inspiring me! I love that you have multiple projects going at one time. I have really tried to have only one project, I just can’t do it. I love applique and am just beginning hand quilting. A friend just gave me a wonderful quilting frame. I can’t wait to use it.
I always have lot of projects on the go! I find it I don’t get bored.
What an accomplishment! Lovely lovely lovely….
Thank you, thank you, thank you…..!
Oh, wow! This is such a spectacular quilt! Love that I have been able to follow along with your amazing work. That’s what I like about blogging too, having a record of my start date and all the many adventures in between.:)
Thanks, Audrey!
Kerry it is simply beautiful ! My goodness the talent and patience that you have. I recently started “Quilting the Garden” by Blackbird designs — all needle turned applique. I will not however, be hand quilting it. You are AMAZING. So pretty. Thanks for sharing !
Thanks! I certainly don’t hand-quilt all of my quilts! But this one just called out to be hand-quilted!
Beautiful….it makes me want to jump back into mine. Thanks for the inspiration!
You are very welcome!
congratulations on a stunning finish! I saved the patterns when they were BOM on the quilt show, but haven’t even started mine.
I also used the patterns from The Quilt Show. There was a boo-boo in the directions regarding the length of the outer borders.Just read the directions carefully!
It is absolutely stunning. An heirloom for sure.
Thanks so much!
Beautiful hand quilting, love the quilt!! I noticed you used a snap frame, how do you put the snaps on. My rails are so stiff that it is very hard to snap on to the quilt.
Thanks! Actually, I gave up on the Q-snap frame. I have always quilted in a hoop and found the frame awkward. That quilt was probably not the best to learn on. I may give it another try!
Kerry
You inspired me to get my applique back out a few weeks ago.. It is a queen-size quilt with all original patterns that I made from photos, ads, logos, business cards, and dreamed up in my head, except one commercial pattern square that I adapted. I am obsessed again, and I thank you so much for getting the ball rolling for me once more. Your work is beautiful, and I anxiously await each installment of your blog/Facebook/email. I’ll post mine someday, when it is finished.
I am so excited about the completion of this quilt. I am working on the same quilt and lack productivity but, you have inspired me to complete it. It truly is lovely!!!!!!!!!
it’s beautiful. thank you for a great job.
I can’t tell you how much I love this! Absolutely wonderful, every detail! Bravo, bravo!
Congratulations Kerry, it looks sooooo good! Love it!
Wow, that is a stunning quilt. Well done, you deserve a wee break on the fingers for a while.
This is one gorgeous quilt!!
Absolutely outstanding. I’ve enjoyed your blog and have shared it with members of my Applique Society group. What a beautiful finish, just in time for the cooler nights!
SO beautiful! Your hand quilting is stunning! I love to watch the Big Bang Theory…over and over and over…while I work! Also, your bride quilt will be so awesome!
Teresa :o)
Congratulations. It looks stunning. Big effort!!! I am sure I can only dream of achieving something like that. Inspirational! X