It's binding time again...whoopee!

The Bloomin' Roses is complete, all that's left is the binding. This is my favorite time, cause it means it's done. I like a narrow binding, usually darker than the quilt. I think it gives it a nice frame of sorts, a finish, if you will, that holds in all the business of the quilt. Also, I like lots of quilting. In older quilts, those with the most quilting usually last longer. So, for me longevity of my work is important. That goes for the bright colors too. In a few years, those super bright colors will dull down to a lovely patina. That's joy for me now and joy for me later. Don't get me wrong, I like the civil war, warm palette, or the muted Japanese/ping colors also. They will only get richer looking, if it's good fabric. But, again, I think something deep down in us draws us to something, and for me it's bright and cheery colors...smile...

It took about a half a day to complete the machine quilting with this set up.

The back of my quilt is usually where you can really see the quilting. Not so much on this one. The pattern of the fabric is pretty busy. If you don't want to your stitches to show, choose a busy backing fabric. This is a flannel fabric, made by Marcus Brothers. It is the zodiac, I just like the interesting colors and symbols. Plus it's flannel, my favorite backing. I chose a variety of quilting designs, all free motion-don't like them templates or drawing lines. Again, this is not a piece for a contest, so I'm happy with some imperfections. It is done and that's always better than perfect. I did echo quilting around each flower and then created my own flower in the corner and finished with quilting in the ditch on the hourglass border.

The batting

inside the quilt sandwich is silk and I'll have to let you know how it feels under it. But, it sews like butter on the machine, I don't know about hand quilting. It is thin but gives enough body to the stitching that you can see the quilting quite well.

This is a picture this morning. No butterflies for me. The strawberries were there all day, but, I'm sure the raccoons came in the evening and ate them all. Oh well, next batch of fruit, I'll leave out again, and try to be vewy, vewy quite....hehehehe....smile