Making the Same Quilt Twice

I don't often make the same quilt design more than once, unless I do something to make the second one truly unique in some way.  I did that once when I was a new quilter, back in the day - I made the same quilt (in different colors) for each of my nieces, with matching pillowcases.  I loved making the first one... hated making the second one, but I persevered and finished it anyway.  Since then, I've avoided using the same pattern more than once...  

I broke that 'rule' last week.  About a month ago, I made a quilt top for my LAQ in exchange for quilting services... That resulted in this quilt top, which I thoroughly enjoyed making - it was FUN! (I do love Elizabeth Hartman's designs and methods.) 

I needed to make a quilt for a friend, who loves dinosaurs, and my thoughts went to this quilt and my heart just dropped, because I'd already made it once.  So ... I decided to try to overcome my reticence and use the design anyway, but switch it up and use a dark green background.  

I did all the cutting so once I started sewing I could just power through and finish it... and it did take me a day and a half longer to make the second one (I let myself get distracted a bit more often mostly), but I finished it and didn't hate making it!  What a fun and confusing revelation... 

But I think I'll stick to my pattern of not repeating patterns.  I like new challenges and new things to see and do.

The second quilt top looks like this:

I look forward to gifting this one for a holiday gift this winter... Which gives me a month or so to make a back for it and get it to my LAQ. 

Back to putting on the last three rows of the neverending quilt project (yes, you guessed it, it's not quite done yet - but ALMOST).  I will post pics when it's finished.
 

The Never-Ending Quilt Project is Almost Done

I started this quilt in 2005 and have been working on it fairly steadily since its inception date.  (That makes it about 17 years in process!)

Each hexagon is individually layered (including batting), bound and quilted.  The hexagons are about 3 1/4" across (the sides are about 2" each).  Each hexagon contains a fuss-cut cat picture. (That means 17 years of collecting cat fabrics and cutting out one, two or a few of the best cats on each fabric).  Each hexagon is backed and 'self-bound' in a blue fabric (most with stars, a few with water or clouds, a couple of solid blues).  I sewed them together without regard to direction of image or of color. (I considered starting with the lightest backing/binding fabric in one corner and sewing them together with an ombre gradiant, ending with the darkest backing/binding in the opposite corner - but that would have required more planning than I wanted to put effort into.) 900 hexagons, give or take a few, to make this king quilt.

Anyway - it's almost done - just 6 more rows to sew on and I am DONE!  I think I might need a drink to celebrate when the time comes. 

Donations are a good way to get rid of WOMBATS*

Today I donated 13 quilt tops to my guild's charity.  They will make backs for these quilts, quilt
them, bind them and donate them to local charities.  I feel a great sense of relief as some of these were quite old (some not so old, but I felt no desire or compulsion to complete any of them myself).  While some were nice enough quilts, they were WOMBATs in my UFO pile.

*WOMBAT = Waste of Material, Batting and Time

I am relieved to be relieved of them, and happy that they will warm someone;

The Great Binding Marathon

 I began the great binding marathon (long overdue) last Friday, Jun 24th... For two days, I measured 9 quilts and made bindings for them.  On Sunday morning, I left for retreat, taking quilts and bindings with me.  I sewed them on over three days, using the Magic Binding method (no hand sewing!).  I finished all 9, and had time for some hand piecing as well.... What a wild ride!  I feel accomplished, but I don't recommend letting the binding pile get this out of control (I still have about 12 quilts remaining that are waiting for bindings - and more still waiting to be quilted)... 

Here are a few pics, starting with 'Atomic Starburst':

'Child's Play':

   Mad Hatter's Tea Party:

  The Hedgies:

  Mod Meow:

 

Urban Moderne:

Opening NIght:

and lastly, Rainbow Rainforest:

 

I have yet to get a picture of the 9th quilt - so just call it 'coming attraction', lol.

Long Time, No See (or post)

I feel remiss in not posting for so long, but I've been keeping busy between gaming and quilting.  Lots of tops finished, a few quilts done, but most still waiting for binding, and lots of games played. 

But I am most happy to report that I THINK I am done making hexies.  I quilted the last of them last night and have started whip-stitching them together...Im not quite sure how many of them I have - lost count in the mid-800s but I know I've got somewhere between 900 and the 990 I think I need to make this a king-sized quilt.   

Here's a pic of the big bag o' hexies:

and another view, looking down from the top:

... and the beginnings of the first row:

I started this project around 2005 or so (might have been 2006), and have been making these hexies - each with a unique cat in it, and all with blue backing and binding.  To be honest, I'm thrilled to be done making hexies and starting on the quilt construction, but also wondering what the hell I'm gonna do for a new easy, small, take-along hand project. I'm also berating myself for not sticking to 10-12 hexies and a small mugrug or candlemat, lol...