Completing a Good Work

A few years back, I came across a box full of vintage fabric, most of which had already been cut into various sizes of patchwork squares. I couldn't imagine someone spending all that time and effort to prepare the fabric for quilting and then, for whatever reason, not be able to see the project through. So I took it upon myself to finish the good work that had begun. A quilting connoisseur friend told me that most of the fabric is from the 1930s. All I know is that the are vibrant colors and patterns and I love them!

Because I knew this quilt was destined to be "old-timey", I decided to piece it by hand. I put the pieces into a bag and carried it with me on trips, recital practices,and swim lessons.

Piece stitched to piece stitched to piece...

 to the tune of 20 rows of 20 squares.

By the time the rows were done, I, too, was ready to be done, so I used my machine to attach the strips to each other. Before I could begin, I had the painstaking process of laying out the rows to make sure the patterns and colors were pleasantly aligned. I employed my parents in this step because they both love Sudoku puzzles, so they played Sudoku Squares!  As the rows came together and the quilt began to take shape, the length of the attached rows began to vary. I had not bothered to measure each square for uniformity before I pieced them and this kinda skewed things a bit, but I think it adds to its charm.

The blue and white checked backing fabric is a remnant I had left over from a jumper I had made for Jadan when he was a baby. There was just enough of it to use for the back and edges and I was thrilled to use it with this special piece.

A labor of love a long time coming.