Last night I discovered a new use for painter's tape - holding the backing fabric down while I layer on the batting and quilt top!! The only place I had that was big enough to lay this whole project out was the kitchen/dining room floor, and I was stumped as to how I was going to keep it all nice and unwrinkled. I grabbed the painter's tape and worked my way around the edges of the backing fabric...woohoo!!
Anyway, I have a box of 1000 pins that I use for just about everything
- that box is nearly empty now after I pinned everything together. SO, all 3 layers are ready, NOT moving a whole lot at all, and the resulting sandwich has been rolled up and is sitting on the sewing machine for attention later today. YAY!! I might actually get it done in time for Thanksgiving after all!!! I know, it's a Christmas present, but I want it done no later than Thanksgiving so that I can help DH with the work on the house, and so that I can focus on the things i Need to make for my family.
Now, as to the "masculine" quilting designs...well....I'm just going to worry about the appliqued pieces for the time being, then I will let her see it and have her make the decision as to if she wants more quilting in the open areas AND what color binding she wants on it....I can do the same color as the base fabric, the burgundy that I used for the sails, or black...I think using the grey would wash the whole thing out.
SO, that's my update...progess of any kind on this thing is good...as DH said, it's bringing in a little money, so do it right and get it done as soon as I can (his thinking is the same as mine - the sooner I get it done, the faster I can get to work helping him with house construction!)
Larisa