UFO # 2

Seems I'm always on a cat theme. One of my objectives for retirement was to finish up all those UFO's clogging my storage cabinets. This is what I managed to get done this week:

I started this quilt top several years ago for another cat lover in the family. (Shhh, it's a secret)

Got to this point and decided that maybe the colours were too dark. Then it got added to the UFO pile.

Took it out last week and thought it looked pretty good. Maybe the colours are in style now!All that was left to do was add the pieced borders. Easier said than done. What is it with pieced borders. They never fit on the first try! Only 75 more to make and string together, then attach to quilt. Easy Peasy!

Corner blocks: pattern called for plain squares, hmmm.....that won't do. Lets make it more complicated. Add an appliqué fence post. No problem. Love the blanket stitch on my Bernina.

Okay, borders fitted and attached. Time to piece the backing and pin baste the quilt "sandwich". 84 x 98 inches. Do I have a work surface that big? Does anyone?

Time for hubby help. Two folding tables, clamped together, plus the dining table, plus hubby's extra long arms. That should do it.

Take 1: tape backing to table #1, layer on batting, add quilt top. And, pray! Smooth, pat, pin, hope. Moment of truth: turn over and check. Oh God, pleats. Remove pins, remove top, remove batting. start again.

Take 2: Start over at beginning. Use basting spray. There's not much but it should help.

Success! At least it seems to have worked. Time to try quilting and see what happens. A few straight rows first in one direction and then the other. It's working!

Ok, all the horizontal and vertical rows are done and no pleats or folds. Yay! Now for the free motion quilting: A flower on each cat? Or a heart? Or both? Hearts and Flowers? What do you think? I'd love to hear your opinions.


Oh, I bet you noticed that this blog was named UFO #2. Wondering what happened to UFO#1?

Here it is. Finished Chicken table runner!