Sara's Butterflies

I just finished the quilt top (see picture on right) for my friend's daughter, Sara, who is fighting cancer.  She loves butterflies, lime green and purple, so I incorporated these into the quilt.  I am pleased with the way this piece turned out.  The butterflies are just so cute, although a little difficult to make out in this picture.

I learned another lesson.  I miscalculated the side border strips and didn't have enough fabric, so I decided to add the four cornerstones, each in the butterfly fabric. Voila! This worked out well.  Yeah!  I continue to problem-solve as I quilt, so I think this is progress. 

I used the technique that one of my instructors taught to create accurate border pieces. I did take three width and length measurements, then calculated the average and used that, instead of taking one measurement through the center and calling it a day.  The top and bottom borders fit perfectly. Thanks, Sheila, at Cabin Fever Quilt Shoppe, for teaching this technique.  Excellent.

I will take "Sara's Butterflies" to my quilter tomorrow in the hopes of getting it back by Sara's birthday on March 1st.  Will have her use a butterfly pattern for the quilting.  

Now back to the project for my piecing class on Tuesday.  This is another sampler quilt which I don't really like in terms of design, but I really like the fabric.  It's for my voice coach, so most of the fabric in a music theme (notes, names of composers, etc.) So much to do before class. 

I also purchased some fabric to make an applique gliding swan.  I've never done applique, so yet another great learning opportunity!  

Oh, one more thing, as the Tudor period is of great interest to me, I am desperately trying to locate Tudor fabric (as in the wives of Henry VIII) to make an historical quilt.  So far, no luck, but some must be out there somewhere.  The search continues.

It's windy, rainy and cold.  Could there be a more ideal quilting day? Don't think so. I hear my little Janome calling me, so I'd better get back to it!