I started this journey in July of 2014. That story was told in this blog post. Here is how the quilt started:
If memory serves me correctly, this was the first jelly roll I ever used. It certainly has not been the last. I do have a few more jelly rolls waiting in the wings. Some are already assigned to a future project, but the others are waiting for my inspiration to kick in.
The top was completed in August 2016 when the borders were added and the backing was cut to proper size. The binding fabric was chosen as well and cut to size. Now all I needed to do was find the time to quilt it - or have it quilted by a local long armer.
I am a big fan of MSQC (Missouri Star Quilt Company), as a matter of fact, the video of Jenny making a jelly roll race quilt was my inspiration for my quilt. All of the materials were purchased from MSQC as well. I thought it only fitting that I send the quilt there for machine quilting even though they were far from being local! It was a very simple process using their website. I did send the quilt to them just before the holidays so I knew up front that it would be added to the queue and would take a bit longer to be returned. I purchased their batting as well. I was not in a rush for completion so I was willing to wait. Under ordinary circumstances, their wait time could be 6 weeks.
I chose a holly leaf quilt pattern since this quilt used winter woodland themed fabrics. My plan was to use this quilt at our cabin in the mountains. I was a bit nervous about mailing my quilt out and making all the arrangements online, but I was so thrilled when I received the quilt back in mid-February 2017. All the excess borders and batting were cut off and it was ready for binding.
I was able to get to the binding step in May of this year. I machine sewed the binding to the front of the quilt but the hand sewing of the binding to the back of the quilt was done at our cabin. The weather was still cold there so the quilt was a welcome cover for my legs.
Once I finished the binding, it was picture time. I thought somewhere in the woods near our cabin would be appropriate. I found the perfect spot right across the road! As you can see, the completed quilt has come in very handy right into June since the weather remained in the mid-50s. My husband has since adopted this quilt which is now warming his legs at our cabin!
I do have another jelly roll scheduled to be a repeat race quilt. When I ordered the border fabrics for the first race quilt, I ordered enough for a second quilt so I have all the materials ready to go. I hope the second quilt top will go just as quickly as the first one. It's called a "race" quilt for a reason, but hopefully the finishing of the second one will go as quilting as the "race" sewing! This quilt is now aptly named "Finish Line".
I will have no hesitation about using the MSQC quilting services again. I was completely pleased with the service, the quality of the work and their prices.
I have several quilts in various stages of completion so hopefully I can blog about those soon. We had quite a heavy travel schedule in April and May which I am certainly not complaining about, but it sure felt good to fondle my fabrics again!
Until the next time!
