Oh What a Relief It Is!

First of all, thank you to everyone for your comments, suggestions and sympathy! Most of you felt that it wouldn't be noticed by many people. But most of you also felt that I had to do what made me feel comfortable.

And that meant fixing it! It actually was much easier than I had feared. I imagined having to take out all of the cross hatch quilting. But believe it or not, most of the rearranged leaves not only fit well between the existing cross hatching, but did so in a way that I only had to add more in two or three places.

I picked out the outline quilting around the leaves; removed them; re-appliqued in the right positions; and then outline quilted around them again. And there were only a few places where I either had to remove some of the cross hatching that now was behind the leaves or add additional.

All together it only took about 4 hours.

I just couldn't imagine feeling regret every time I looked at the quilt in the future..not after all the work I'd already put into it. And I am so happy I took what is really a very little bit of time to fix it.

Now it's still far from perfect. But it's my best and that's all that counts.


Doesn't it look better?

Arrrgghhhh!

My Dutch Treat has been laying on the living room floor as we continue to look at it and admire it. Hey, I worked a LONG time on this...I'm entitled to admire my diligence.

Then this afternoon I noticed something that made me feel like pulling my hair out.

Did any of you notice?

Because some of the center blocks are clearly directional, I so carefully planned my border since it would hang in one direction only.

The leaves in the bottom point out from the center, towards each side.....



They went around the corners and continue UP each side towards the top....


(Yeah...that's my toe)


And then they were supposed to round the top corners and point IN towards the center.....

But this is what I noticed the this afternoon......

The birds are flying correctly..TOWARDS the middle. But the leaves on the right side were appliqued in the wrong direction.

Can you hear the gnashing of teeth going on here?

You of course know that I will have to remove the appliqued leaves and take out all of the quilting in that section of border, re-applique and re-quilt. If I don't it will drive me nuts!

Or should I say this is my "quirky" quilt?

After 21 months of work, I don't think so...........

I think I have to fix it.

Last night and today I've been working on other applique...leaves actually....on a long set aside Baltimore Album style project.

It may take a day or two before I start....but I will fix it.

Can you feel my pain?

(And before somebody points it out, I know the birds in the bottom border are flying towards the center..unlike the leaves...but it's my quilt and that's the way I wanted it....LOL. They didn't look right the other way).

It's Done!!!!!

Much as I wanted to be able to say I finished my Dutch Treat quilt in January, I just couldn't get all of the binding done in one evening. But I did finish it today!

21 months..April 23, 2008 was the date I made my first 4" block. I started hand quilting in October 2009 and didn't really work on it much all of November 2009 as I recovered from the flu. It's been a long process, but I've loved every minute of the journey.

I will never be an expert hand quilter but I am so proud of myself for doing this and it will be one of my treasured quilts.

It's hard to get a full picture but I may be able to get one tomorrow when my oxygen delivery person is here and can assist Tom in holding it up (he's a kind and generous person). It will be laundered by then as well.

Geta's Giveaway

Boy, I can't believe more than a week has passed since I've posted anything. I've been BUSY..trying ever so hard to get my Dutch Treat quilt completely finished by the end of January. I'm in the home stretch...one more border to complete the crosshatching on and then binding. Think I'll make it?????? Only if I get off the computer!

I've been remiss in not pointing you towards my friend Geta's January giveaway. And it's almost too late! You have until tomorrow to enter for a chance to win her latest pattern for these darling little pocket projects. Scoot on over!

Workshop

I had a wonderful time Monday teaching a workshop for my guild..The Little Balkan's Quilt Guild. The girls made some BEAUTIFUL projects. Two of them were completely FINISHED! The others soon will be and I hope they all enjoyed themselves as much as I did.

Here are some pictures Tom took during the day.

I enjoyed presenting a trunk show that evening and again on Tuesday to the Joplin Town and Country Guild. I'd like to just curl up in the recliner and do some handwork today, but it's chicken and noodle dinner time at church again so I need to get busy and bake some apple dumplings to take over and work this afternoon.

Maybe tomorrow I can veg and quilt.