Four days late.

I saw a post on Facebook that said that January as a "2017 trial period," not an actual month. I can understand that view. I was looking forward to a regular old month but there was nothing regular about it. I had so many plans of things to do but I  fell into a alternative universe where nothing was what I expected. Instead of cozy days in my shop sewing I was in the car going places.

I really prefer staying at home. If it was up to me I would only get out once at twice a month in the winter. Of course I work all summer long and that is thoroughly enjoyable as well. I look forward to work time and I look forward hibernation time.

So to scratch my quilting itch I had to find something portable and according to Alycia Quilts, purple was the color for January so I had the perfect project to pull out and take along on my travels.

I spun my wheels for a couple of days trying for some sun. finally I bundled up and went out in the cold wind to take pictures of the finish.

This started with a quilt top given to me by a friend. It came from her husbands family, and no one wanted it. She had considered doing something with it but she didn't know where to start.

First I took it home and attempted to iron it flat....right....

Every single block was a different size and none of them were remotely square. Some of the seams were scary as someone had decided to wash it and dry it in the dryer. First I took all of the squares apart and picked out the best of the bunch. Most of the squares looked good together but these bright pinks and purples clashed with the more reserved colors. I set aside the calmer colors and focused on these bright ones to play with. First I ironed and starched them as round as possible. Then I squared them up as best I could.

The four in the center came as close to matching edges to make a complete circle. The other sets of three fans sewn together are a bit off at the edge where they match but I wasn't looking perfection considering what I started with.

All of that was started last winter where it went to the box of unfinished projects. When I was looking for a project on-the-go it popped into my mind.

I looked for border fabric online but the two things I ordered didn't look right. Finally I just dug really deep in my own stash and found some of my mothers fabric that was perfect for the border. I believe the purple binding was a thrift shop find. Everything was hand quilted with left over pink and peach thread. I didn't have enough of either so I alternated with both and now those are gone. The embroidered hearts in the center was pearl cotton hand-me-downs from a friend. That peach blade between the navy was some sort of satin and I was worried about its stability so I ironed interfacing on the back before I layered it to give it more support.

The backing was also a thrift shop find. A tiny blue floral that was originally a curtain, perhaps out of someone's nursery.

So, four days late, here is my January Post and I will soon get back to you to let you know what is on the table right now.

Hugs, Sue