It is not going to the fair.

Which is so not fair.  But that is life.

But, the string-x quilt is finally finished.  I wish I could get it to the fair, but life threw me a curve ball this week and I just don't have the time to put the sleeve on the back.  That's OK, though.  I am pretty much in love with it anyhow.

I pieced and quilted it with my machine, but sewed the binding on by hand.  It measures 81.5" square - a bit smaller than I had planned, but it still fits the guest room bed just fine.

These two photos were the best I got - I was going to take some more today, but I ran out of time.  And then it rained.  Oh well.  Here are a few more - the color is a bit off, but you get the idea.

I might like the back better than the front.  I used the leftover strips from the borders to make the center part.  The rest I just kind of made up as I went.  The large floral will be the curtains in the guest room so I wanted some of it on the back, too.  I just had a lot of the stripe so why not?  After all, the majority of this quilt came from my stash.

I love love love the way the quilting looks on the back.  Love.

I didn't have any aspirations that this would win a ribbon at the fair.  There are small bits that - ahem - give this quilt character.  But I wasn't striving for perfection.  I wanted to make a quilt this year and I did it.  It took a long time, but I stuck with it.  I have only made 4 small throw size quilts before, all done after I started this one.  This is the quilt I wanted to make, though.  This is the one that I won't give away.  It's mine and, yes, I'm pretty much in love.

I'm also feeling a bit stretched thin - a lot to do and not much time.  I think I am going to step away from the blog for a week or so.  Fatty and I have a grand adventure planned - we're off to Portland, Maine for a little getaway.  There is food to eat, drinks to consume and bloggers to meet.  More on that when I get back.

Take care, friends.  See you soon.

Comments

[marilyn]

This quilt is beautiful! Nice job!

[lexi]

It's a shame it's not going to the fair, but on the flip side, it looks fantastic. It's beautiful, all those colours are perfect together, beautiful on the bed - it's definitely set for heirloom status. Well done!

[a]

Have a wonderful trip...but I'm so glad you posted before you left...i had been checking several times a day since the camera strap (LOVE orange!) because I'm a new reader and have come to really love your blog. But everyone needs a break, and you should relax and enjoy yours thoroughly. Cheers!

[aNa]

I'm sorry you didn't get to enter it, but sometimes it's just best to say "when". It's lovely though! And I'm proud you stuck with it. More inspiration for me to live up to. Enjoy your weekend away with your Hubby. BTW! I have a great hubby too!

[Anna]

Your string quilt is gorgeous- I love the colors and the outside border just makes it- Your back is really interesting and a great way to use and connect the fabrics together.
Keep on quilting-
Regards from a Western Canadian Quilter,
Anna

[gena]

Great Guinness, Erin! This quilt is gorgeous!

[Dara]

As I was looking at your photos my 5 year old daughter walked by and stopped dead in her tracks, to say "Oh mom, I definitely DEFINITELY want that blanket." I think that pretty much says it. Have a great week!

[Amy]

I see why you're in love. It's really beautiful! It's great when you put your heart into something and it turns out to be something you really love in the end and not just okay. Congratulations!

[Melissa Crowe]

You're quilt is beautiful, and you have made me want to try and make one, too, when I get my new sewing machine.

Hey--I live in Portland--just since June--and I know you'll have a blast.

[TLC]

Too bad it didn't work out to have it in the fair. The quilt is GORGEOUS!! Love the colors and fabrics you chose. It is fun to see it all done.

[Lacie]

I loved the quilt from the beginning and I think I might love it even more in it's final form. Fabulous!! Hope life slows down a bit for you and the trip to Maine gives you a chance to blow off some steam. Thanks for sharing!

[Wendy]

I think it turned out great!

[jessica]

I'm pretty much in love with this quilt, too! I just love the fabric and the backing...oh, the backing! I'm going to try to make the backing on the quilt I'm making right now not so...plain pink!

[Kristin]

I love it so much! I'm sorry about the fair. Our fair deadline is this weekend also and I don't think I'm going to be able to enter what I wanted either. It always sneaks up on me. Love your quilt though...so gorgeous!

[emily]

the quilt looks amazing, erin! amazing. i am so glad you're in love with it. because it is just amazing. hope all is ok - the curveball and all. enjoy, enjoy your adventure with fatty! i'll be thinking of you being not-too-far-north of where i am right now. xo.

[Carol]

Another beautiful accomplishment!

[Sarah Jackson]

It's so lovely, Erin and I love love love it too. You have me ready to start mine now that I finished a couple of smaller projects. That back on yours is so perfect and so very you.

Have a great time in Maine - I'm very jealous that you're going to one of my favorite places.

[cindy phelan]

it is beautiful. it must feel like a rewarding accomplishment! cindy

[Cami]

It looks fantastic! I am also in love with it. Your hard work paid off, it looks amazing. Love the quilting details and the back patchwork.

[Paige]

Gorgeous gorgeous quilt! Showed it to my boyfriend, who hates color, and he said,"Wow, that's pretty cool-looking." High praise! Love it!

[Amy]

It's just spectacular. Really. Perfect.

Please stop in to my most favorite restaurant of all in Portland, Fore Street (on Fore Street, of course). Niall and I ate there the first night of our honeymoon and also 15 years earlier when we were just kids. It was still as good.

Have a great trip.

[karen in Toronto]

a real beauty !!! you did an amazing job !

enjoy your get away !

[Rosa]

It is spectacular. I am truly sorry that you didn't get to share it with others at the Fair, but it will definitely be appreciated by your readers, and you, family, and guests. Congrats!

[Louise]

Erin it's just lovely and vintagey and comfy and cosy! Gorgeous!

[Charity]

Beautiful! :0)

[lucy]

How do you get your quilting lines so straight Erin? Mine never do.

It looks superb on your bed.

[melissa]

Oh, Erin, I'm sorry it's not going to the fair- but it is gorgeous and modern and traditional and inspiring. And I'm with you on loving the back. I hope the rest of your week goes smoothly and you have a good break/trip.

[Marta]

wow! it's beautiful! enjoy Portland. there is great shopping there. perfect time of year to visit.

[kathryn]

this quilt would win a blue ribbon from me--it's absolutely beautiful, erin!

i hope you have a wonderful and relaxing trip!

[Meredith]

This is gorgeous! I love it too!

[Kim D.]

i'd say you won already, if you made something and love it, then that's success. It's beautiful - truly. But darn it, now you've made me want to dig out the quilt that I started last October that I wanted to complete before the year was out. I never understand those people who are bored, I have so much that I'd love to do and never enough time to do it all.

[Sarah]

I am sorry to hear that you are detoured from entering that gorgeous thing in the fair. It would have certainly been a winner. :-)

Have a lovely little trip!

[kirsten]

oh, fair, schmair. there's always next year! enjoy your trip!

[mary]

The quilt is wonderful - an heirloom. Have a great trip!

[andreacreates.blogspot.com]

Your quilt is beautiful.I love the colors against the white background.

[andreacreates]

Your quilt is beautiful.I especially love the colors against the white background.

[kimberly]

erin-- I started my big quilt after seeing yours. I knew I wanted to make one, but didn't know what I wanted it to look like. til I saw yours. I used your basic tutorial and now it is all pieced and sandwiched, all that is left is the quilting and the binding. I was overwhelmed by the quilting and haven't even started it yet, but again you have inspired me. now I can finish. thank you.

[Account Deleted]

I love the back too!

[Liz]

I think it is beautiful. Your quilting is beautiful too. I never seem to be able to get my echo quilting straight. Your's looks perfect!

[jessica]

It looks just beautiful! I love the design and the fabric choices... nice job! Enjoy the break!

[Peacock Chic]

lovely!

[susan]

Goodness, that is such a lovely quilt! Any guest would *love* snuggling under that every evening.

[Selina]

That is a beautiful quilt. I am so glad you finished it.
Have a fantastic holiday!
Can you enter the quilt next year instead??

[leslie]

oh, erin....so sorry it didn't get to go to the fair. however, you added more history to your quilts journey......
it is gorgeous. really really gorgeous.

have a wonderful time with fatty. i will miss you!

[Elizabeth]

It is just lovely. As far as I am concerned it gets a blue ribbon for sure.
Go you for sticking with it!

[beki]

Oh Erin, I think it's perfect!
Enjoy your trip ;-)

[sulu-design]

Gasp. It's gorgeous, whether it makes it to the fair or not. At least it will stay nice and clean now, right?
I think a blog break sounds lovely, and a trip to Portland, Maine, sounds even better. Oh, the ladies you'll meet! Have a wonderful time.

[Amy]

It is seriously GORGEOUS. (Hmmm... that appears to be the word of the day on this post...)

I love the way it looks on the bed.

[Diane]

I also LOVE your work!!! I especially love your camera straps, and I am thinking about trying my hand at making one. I do have a question tho - when you do the machine quilting (either in the camera strap, or the quilt!) how do you make sure that you don't get the material bunched up, or out of kilter, if you know what I mean??? Do you start in the middle? Hand baste everything before hand? I am hoping it will be easy on the strap, but my daughter is also making a t-shirt quilt, and she will be ready to do that step soon! Would love it if you would have the time to email me!

Keep up the great blogging and crafts!

Hugs from Michigan - Diane

[Linn]

Oh, I just love the colors and fabric combinations you have here. I love the cream border before the smaller pieced border. It gives just the right amount of resting space for the eyes, and makes it look a bit old-fashioned, which I love. Enjoy!