Finished: Navajo Code Talkers

My 2014 quilt starts are becoming finishes :)  I finished up the binding today, but while I was sewing that down I decided that the black sashings and border needed to be quilted.  I planned not to do anything in them (they are only about 1.5" wide), but with the flannel backing, I believe the shrinkage is going to be more than with other flannels I've used.  I like the puffy-after-washed looked, but with not enough quilting it will look distorted.


I love the way the quilt drapes! I think this is a combination of the flannel and the top being made with a lot of homespun fabrics.

The backing is a butter yellow and some scraps of two other flannels I had on hand.  I didn't quite have enough of the yellow, but piecing backings is something I enjoy so it doesn't bother me that I had to piece with scraps.

I mentioned in my previous post that this quilting isn't my best. I actually had issues with Aurifil in the bobbin. The thread is lighter in strength, but I haven't experienced that before. I'm going to have to play around and see if I can figure out why it was doing that. I don't know if it didn't like how fast I was going with my Juki or a different issue.

And what happens when you toss a quilt down on the floor?


The inspector comes along to test it out and be sure everything is ok!

I haven't had a chance to work on Clue 2 of the mystery this weekend, but tomorrow it is in my plans!

Navajo Code Talkers

An update on the comfort quilt I am finishing for the scout I mentioned in the previous post... he had surgery, it went well, but it is still iffy on what the future holds.  He should be allowed to go back to school this next week.

I am finishing up the binding while watching more of my favorite Hallmark Christmas movies.  Tonight there is one that I haven't seen yet (though i realized just now I have missed The Amazing Race... oh well).  The quilting isn't my best, but when I made this quilt top I had a utilitarian quilt in mind--I think the quilting does reflect that (not at all fancy).  I was frustrated with some of it, and my walking foot wasn't cooperating, but I did figure out a solution to help with a gathering issue I was having.  My plan is to have the binding finished this weekend so that the hubby can give him the quilt for me.



Flannel backing to go with the plaids and homespuns on the front.  I think that screams comfort, I am hoping it delivers.

Navajo Code Talkers, finished top

I have finished up the top for the Navajo Code Talker pattern.  I am mixed on it, it isn't my usual choice for fabrics or style, but it does have a comfy feel to it that I think would be great for camping or picnicking, or something to keep in the car/truck, etc.  Though the only thing we ever really do is the camping part--and Kevin gives me grief over me bringing my quilts to sleep with, it is likely to spend most of it's time on the couch for a lap quilt (though on the larger size: 70x86"ish).  I plan to do a flannel backing.

While finishing this up, I was wondering how it would look if I skipped the black sashing:


I think it looks better with the sashing.  It needed some dark fabrics in there because it reads heavy on the medium and brown side.  Most of the plaids are reds, the browns really drag it to their side.  After finishing about half of the blocks with the strips, I went back to my stash to find some darker blues to liven it up.  It felt very bland to me.  It still feels bland, but I really think this is a quilt that begs to be used as something to snuggle under--it feels very comforting because of the drab brown plaids and wovens in there.



I plan to do an all over pattern for the quilting since I think this top screams to be a utilitarian quilt.  At this point all the 1860's repro styles are out of my system.  Unless of course we are talking about the madder prints, then all bets are off.

Navajo Code Talkers

I think I figured out why I was drawn to this quilt pattern (Navajo Code Talkers), it reminded me of the simplicity and fabrics from my mom's quilt that her grandmother made for her:



It was originally tied with pink yarn, but over the years the wadding inside was clumped and there were many seams and areas that needed to be repaired.  Twelve years ago I took it apart and trimmed this one patch quilt, repairing areas that needed it and quilted it diagonally.  The backing is the same backing, a piece of woven blue and white plaid.  Perfect for this quilt.



I just love the fabrics.





I've always loved Mom's quilt, and I am glad to still have it--though it was basically totally remade.  But I am happy to still be able to see the quilt and remember her and know that I worked on something that my great grandmother also did.

Here are seven sections that I have worked on for the Navajo Code Talkers quilt:




I have pulled out some very old fabrics, some CW repros from my Jane quilt, and some newer fabrics for this quilt.  The blocks are generally finishing at 4", but the entire block put together with strips will be 15" finished.  When I bought the pattern I did not realize they were that large.

I am enjoying this project, and it is clearing out the cobwebs as I think about what my granddaughter's baby quilt is going to look like!