Last week, I finished the first Quilt of Valor. It took just two days to get it quilted with the star and swirl pantograph called Blue Star. I removed it from the longarm and spread it out on the floor to check the stitching and take a photo.
Next was to trim it, and make the binding. I put this on by machine this time, as time is of the essence right now. I sew the binding to the back, then fold to the front and topstitch.
I used the same light blue background star print as the print sections. I think it lends a continuity to the overall quilt design.
A label was hand sewn to the back, and it was ready to deliver to the chapter director for the next ceremony. This one will go to my husband’s pickleball coach, a wonderful guy who has been very kind to us over the years we’ve known him. His ceremony will be with five other veterans ahead of the one I am planning for the car club.
While I took breaks from standing at the longarm, I worked on completing the top for the second QOV. This time I added a border around the panel first, then added six stars with large blocks of print between.
I only have a small amount of space for the final border, as I asked for the backing before I finished this top, and underestimated the finished size. It would have looked nice with a 4-inch border, but I don’t have enough backing to do that. So, a 2-inch border will have to do. Even this will be tight on the longarm. I lay out pieces of print to audition for the final border. The flags are too busy next to the blue print with the swirls. The red was a good contrast, but the print isn’t much.
On this side, the dark blue doesn’t play well with the swirly print blue. The white background print seemed to have the best contrast and a patriotic feel.
The contrast works between the border print and the blue. Plus there is enough color to set it apart from the white background on the star.
Final border done, with the strips cut at 2-1/2-inches.
I got it loaded on the longarm, and I hope I can get it quilted this week around all the other things going on. I still have the machine set up with light blue Glide in the top and Bottom Line in the bobbin. So I am ready to quilt.
This week, I know I have two packages on the way with QOV blocks so I can make another quilt for the car club veteran event coming in a couple of months. I also got word that a blogger buddy is sending a completed top that will only need quilting to finish, which will help a lot! Mail this week will be fun! We need seven quilts for the June event, and I think we can make it.
It’s a busy week ahead, and I am looking forward to having several fun days! Thursday morning is the guild meeting and I cannot wait! I had to miss the January meeting due to snow, and the December meeting was a party, so it has been three months since we’ve had a meeting with the rehome table. I have two full bags of things to donate to it, and I’m just a bit excited to see if there is anything I might want to bring home. I have some leeway with all the yardage I am donating so my Stashbuster totals will stay on the side of more out than in. The thread painting class is Thursday and Friday. Then Saturday, we are leading a MINI car club drive from Mills River to Lake Toxaway. We have 26 people signed up to come, so it should be a great day. If it doesn’t rain!
From My Carolina Home 
The quilts are beautiful. I have a sew date with Club buddies today & it won’t be snowed out, hooray.
You have such a great sounding week! And the quilt is spectacular. I think you’ll be both energized (and maybe exhausted) by the time it’s over but oh, what fun. Good luck finding some fun new fabric! Fingers crossed you don’t get rain for the Mini-Day-Out!
The finished QOV looks great as does the second one. It sounds like you have a great week full of fun things to look forward to!!
WOW – Both QOV look great. Panels are a great way to get a nice looking quilt quickly. I am happy to hear you had good response to your block request. What happens on the “rehome” table when items you bring are not taken by other members? Do you have to take them with you or do they all disappear? Sounds like a busy week ahead.
In our guild, whatever is not taken from the rehome tables is gathered by the committee and dropped off at the thrift store on their way home. This ensures that most of it gets taken as you only get one shot at it. People take everything they are thinking about as they can always donate it back next month. Rarely are there more than 2 or 3 boxes left, no matter what it looks like at the start. There is no charge for the items, but there is a donation box if anyone is moved to donate some money for the items and fabric they take. It is not required.
It sounds like a fun week. Both of the QOV look great. I’m crossing my fingers it won’t rain. Have a great week.