"LABOR OF LOVE"

Several months ago my sister in-law had the opportunity to view some of the work I had been doing. She asked if I would consider completing a quilt she began around 1978 when her son was about 14 years old.   What was completed by her was a sampler top, sans borders, made up of 12 different blocks.  This was part of a learn to quilt class.  I took the same class, but maybe not at the same time as Jane.

I took on the task and I must say, it has become a labor of love to me.  The challenge became finding fabrics that would coordinate with the fabics in the original top.  The shades and hues of the original top were not readily available.  I could only assume that they aren't currently popular. I was able to find some prints and solids that were close but no cigar!
"NOW THE HARD PART!!"

 I began the task of dissassembling some of the squares to incorporate the new hues of blue I was adding.  Unfortunately I did not record my progress in photo, (and should have!) I was uncertain how things would turn out, and how long this process was going to take......... and........of concern........would I become too frustrated to finish.  

After incorporating the new colors to the blocks, and the border surrounding the sampler blocks, I had to decide on the final borders to bring the top up to a queen size. Not wanting the monotony of strip borders, I then decided on the running blocks.  I encased the block borders in muslin on either side.  I must say they look great. As if that were the original plan.  I also added a strip of the blocks onto the quilt backing, so that if the quilt is turned down, it will still show beautifully.

I am very pleased with the completed work, as this is my first queen sized completed project.  The quilt is wonderful! And I am proud!

The top and backing were ready to assemble before leaving for Florida for the winter, so I took it with me to have professionally quilted by machine while in Florida.  This would have taken weeks to quilt. The quilter did beautiful work and now my "Labor of Love" is complete and ready for delivery. 

As a final note...I embroidered Jane's name and year on the quilt backing so that it can become a family heirloom to pass on to her children or grandchildren.

Now onto the next project!