Chilhowie Is A Top--post 3

Inner border attached

Constructing the inner border wasn't hard. It was a bit "fiddly" to attach it to the sashed top. Usually, I spend a lot of time placing the fabrics so I don't have similar fabrics next to each other. 

With this project, I did a lot less of that. This border went on without any need for adjusting. Any time that happens, I am happy. Pieced borders often have "fit" issues! I like how the aqua in the border accents the aqua in the other areas of the quilt.

Finished top

I knew the outer border was going to take some time. This time, I did layout the blocks around the quilt because I didn't want similar orange fabrics or purple fabrics close together. Then because I am notorious for not sewing parts together as I laid them out, I pinned the pieces together. 

Again this border fit without any adjustments. Wahoo! It was "fiddly" to save points. In the end, the "fiddling" was with the effort. I like the interest those orange triangles created! 

Pieced back featuring "aged" fabrics from my stash

This is a border that I could incorporate in another project. Over all, I am pleased with my project. I had fun all along the way. This top measures 78 1/2 x 78 1/2 inches. 

While I would rather the top was more of a rectangle, I'm not planning to add additional borders. Finishing it is better than having an unfinished project. This is what happened to my first Bonnie Hunter mystery project. That, however, is a story for another day!

I selected some fabrics that have been in my stash for more than a decade as backing. I'm always trying to use from my stash. It is a lot cheaper to shop in my stash! 

Using from stash also helps create space. Although the three pieces I chose totaled about seven yards, the space it took up on the shelf was only a few inches! I didn't need all that yardage, but, I like to have extra on hand so I can cut the hanging sleeve out of the backing scraps.

Possible thread options

Because I'm still struggling with head, neck and back issues, I plan to pay to have it quilted. To that end, I asked a friend to quilt it. She wrote me an e-mail that stated she would be delighted to quilt it! I'm delighted she said yes! 

I looked through my thread stash and spooled out a few threads that were possible quilting choices. I have those packed and ready to travel along with the parts of the quilt sandwich. I have ideas about an all over quilting pattern for the project.

Quilt sandwich parts and the binding

While I was stitching the blocks together, I considered using a variety of the leftover purple fabrics as binding. As I looked at the top in a photo, I decided that using a variety of the leftover oranges would be a better
choice. I have cut and prepared the binding. 

I like to prepare the binding after I finish the top. There has been occasions in the past of when I didn't prepare the binding after I had finished the top, I ended up using the fabric in another project. Forgetting made me scramble to locate another suitable fabric. I like to make the sleeve after I piece the back of the same reason. 

Because there are scraps in this project, I'm linking to Cynthia and Oh Scrap/Quilting Is More Fun Than Housework.