Friday, June 26, 2020

It's a Finish! Carolina Chain


It's a finish! 
Carolina Chain
77 x 89.5


I started this in 2018 and finished the flimsy in July 2019. 

As you can see...lots of scraps were used in this one. But my 2 inch scrap bin is still pretty full. I do have other quilts in the works that use 2 inch scraps so hopefully my goal to empty that bin by year end will be met. 


I used a variety of scraps of dark blue for the side setting triangles. 

There's a funny story about that black/white Seattle Seahawks fabric. A long time ago I received 1/2 yard of it instead of what I actually ordered online. I called the company and they said to keep it and they would send the fabric I actually ordered. Well, thanks, but I don't know anyone in Seattle and I don't like sports so what should I do with that gift?  I threw it in with other black and white fabrics.  Several years after that I found out at a family reunion camp out that my niece was pregnant and I also learned a little about her husband and how they met. They met at college in Iowa but he was from Seattle (or somewhere around there. I can't remember just now.) AND he proposed to her at a Seattle Seahawks game. Oh, goodness! That immediately reminded me about that fabric.  So, when her daughter Sundae was born I sent along an I Spy quilt and the letter S was represented by the Seattle Seahawks.  I sent along a few hotpads made from that fabric too.  Weird how things like that happen.  

Oh, there are so many memories in scraps!
I quilted it on my DSM with straight lines. You would think that would be easy, wouldn't you? Well, it wasn't. I rarely rip out anything but I had to rip out my first few vertical lines of quilting.  I think the problem was that I was sewing lines on the bias AND I pieced my batting and used a LOT of pieces. When I started the quilting I started at the right side with my vertical lines and those are the ones I ripped out. After that I started my lines in the middle of the quilt and worked out toward the sides. Then all went well, thank goodness. I wouldn't want to quilt in too many cuss words. (Cussing once in awhile when everyone is out of earshot is my only vice, don't you know!)
The binding was made of a variety of dark blue scraps too. 

The backing came from the clearance bin at Hobby Lobby last year when I bought most everything they had suitable for quilt backs at $3.99 per yard. I have lots of tops waiting to become quilts!

And on to the next!



25 comments:

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

you have had a lot of finishes lately one after another and all charming for sure

Alycia~Quiltygirl said...

A GREAT finish!! I love the Seattle Seahawks story - there are so many memories with fabrics - so true!!

Quilting Babcia said...

Another beauty! I wonder how often you start a quilt using yardage rather than scraps! And of course we always create more scraps, even when we started out with them, lol.

gayle said...

Another spectacular finish! I love that you put it on point, and those blue setting triangles were an inspired choice!
(now bumping Carolina chain up several places on my to-do list)

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

Two great finishes this week - I love them both! Great story about the Seahawks fabric. You are so right about there being so many memories in scraps!

Quiltdivajulie said...

Beautiful - fabulous - and oh so gloriously scrappy.

Elizabeth V Kelbaugh said...

Lovely Carolina Chain. It is a wonderful scrappy quilt. Great job!

The Joyful Quilter said...

Fabulous scrappy finish!!

cityquilter grace said...

wow....very pretty indeed and those blue triangles are perfect to finish...love those scrappy bindings!

Libby in TN said...

So colorful! And lots of optical illusions happening in there.

Linda said...

Another finish!! Wow, you are amazing.

Home Sewn By Us said...

Hi Cathy! Your Carolina Chain is a beautiful finish. Isn't it fabulous when you look at the quilt and you see all the different fabrics? All the memories they hold, all gathered together in one spot. I just adore the Seattle Seahawk story - it was just meant to be even if it started out as an error. That is a good-sized quilt to finish on your DSM, but I love and often do straight-line stitching on mine as well. Mostly on the diagonal as I love the look of the diamond shapes formed when stitching in both directions. While it's difficult, working from the center out works best for me, too. Your scrappy binding is just the perfect choice for this quilt. Nice job. ~smile~ Roseanne

MissPat said...

I have a BH Carolina Chain somewhere in the clutter. It's really not big enough to be useful and at the time I didn't feel like making more blocks. I should dig it out and just get it done. Glad you were able to use the Seahawks fabric for someone who would appreciate it.
Pat

Linda @ kokaquilts said...

A wonderful scrappy quilt! Lots to look at, and the blue sets everything off perfectly. Must get mine one finished too.

Laura said...

Love the scrappy goodness of this quilt! Since I am a Washington state gal, I really love the Seattle Seahawks story! :)

audrey said...

What a fantastic quilt! Love seeing your scraps turn out so well. The seahawks story cracks me up.:)

Cynthia@wabi-sabi-quilts said...

It's great that you save the Seahawks fabric... for its future perfect use! Great finish on your quilt - love the scrappy look.

mangozz said...

Your Carolina Chain is gorgeous! I really love this design and the variety of scraps really make it fun to look at. Good choice for the blue setting triangles too.

ginkgokid said...

This is WONDERFUL! Scrappy is my favorite style, and Bonnie's designs are so fun. You did a GREAT JOB!

Nann said...

Another delightfully scrappy quilt, Cathy! Does your Seahawks story mean that we need to hang on to every bit of fabric Just In Case the perfect occasion comes up? LOL.
(But THANK YOU for reminding me of Carolina Chain as a way to deal with the 2" strips and squares.)

Chantal said...

Congratulations on this beautiful finish. That's exactly why I love scrappy quilts so much; they are sewn together with memories. Wonderful fabrics. ;^)

Louise said...

Love the Seahawks story! Every fabric has its place, but some take longer than others to find it. This is a great pattern and really lets all those scraps shine :)

Emily said...

There really are so many memories in scraps! Love the story of the Seahawks fabric! (is their daughter really named Sundae, or is that a nickname?)

Rebecca Grace said...

"So many memories in scraps" -- so true! The older the scraps, the more it breaks my heart to use up the last of them! It's like reading the very last page in a much-loved novel. Satisfying, but still bittersweet. This is a gorgeous finish. You used those scraps well!

QuiltGranma said...

Actually the Seahawks fabrics are a deep blue with gold. I am not a fan, but my sis's family are nuts about sports. That is a beautiful quilt, and a great way to use up bits and pieces.