Finally, my first completed quilt!
No, I don't have any pictures, because I pulled an all-nighter (whew! haven't done that since college!!) to finish it in time for the baby shower. My sister did take pictures of me and the mama-to-be holding the quilt, I'll upload them to webshots when she sends them to me.
I had no clue it would take that many hours to machine quilt! Of course, my initial desire for close-to perfection led to a number of ripped out quilt lines.
But, somewhere around 2am Friday I decided finished was better than perfect.
The grid in the borders was oh so far from 45 degrees. The free motion quilting was not at all consistent. The 'congratulations' and 'Diana' and 'John' words I had planned to hide really WERE hidden, as my quilt handwriting is even worse than my R/L handwriting (which I did not believe possible). The wording in the panel was not outlined like I had planned, so there is some space where the 2-4 inch quilting requirement on the batting will be sorely tested. I never did get a chance to wash it.
They loved it.
The mom-to-be was close to tears, especially when I told her to tell the daddy (my nephew) that his was the FIRST baby quilt I ever completed (even my 2 DGS do not have theirs).
My niece, who will turn 16 this summer, wants a quilt for her birthday.
And, even tho I backed it with minkee so it was all nice and soft for a new baby, they are talking about HANGING IT ON THE WALL (oh noes!). I have begged the new mama to be to use it, please.
All in all, it was very gratifying.
Thank you, everyone, for the encouragement!
Lisa (Still too tired for) Happy Dancing in New Jersey