I finished my umbrella quilt top last night. I think I made the left and right side borders too wide so I am going to cut them down from 8″ to 4 1/2″. Right now quilt top measures 86″ by 62″.
I didn’t want the rick-rack to curl when washed so I hand stitched the edges down. This took forever.
I was watching Flashpoint Season 2 on DVD. I went through four episodes. I HATE hand sewing!!
There is still more work to be done. The back to make. Not sure what I want. I would LOVE to make one or two huge umbrella blocks but do not think I have enough purple prints to pull it off.
One other idea I have swirling around in my brain is to do really wide strips of the dark purple with the purple fabrics I have left. What to do??
And the binding. At first I didn’t think these would work. These three batik Fat Quarters. I want a scrappy look so I am seriously thinking about using them.
I like my binding to be 3-3 1/2″ wide so if I cut 3″ strips, I can get seven from each FQ. Don’t think I will need that many. I’ll do a test run all around the quilt first before cutting. I could even use the batik leftovers for the back.
I am dying to start a new project… but I will keep plugging away at this until it is completely finished. Or at least until all the sewing is done. Then I will think about how to quilt it. I am thinking echo around the umbrella strips, straight lines in the sashing and stippling in the borders.
Got lots of new fabric, new books and a new ruler to show you. Later on. 
Linking to…
http://sewhappygeek.co.uk/index.php/2012/07/23/manic-monday-linky-party-44/
http://www.craft-o-maniac.com/2012/07/party-time-craftomaniac-monday.html
It’s beautiful Donna!!!
Great quilt, bring on the rain.
Love it! I’m with you on hating hand sewing- Bf never fails to rip his clothes in ways that cannot be mended by machine, so at least once a month, I’m stitching something up by hand. Luckily for me, most of the repairs are quick- under ten minutes.
wow that’s so lovely, and a lot of hard work too!
Hi everyone, thanks so much for stopping by to comment on my quilt. Love you all!!
It is raining here today. Perfect sewing day. (But then, everyday is perfect for sewing.
)
Going to work on the back today. Somehow will figure out how to blend what’s left of the purple prints with the darker purple. Wish me luck!!
Donna I love your umbrella quilt. Beautiful.
That is a beautiful quilt, Donna! Of course, everything you make is beautiful.
Unlike you, I love hand sewing! To me, it is very relaxing.
Hi Fran, Hi Belinda. Thanks so much. I worked on the back yesterday. But do not like it. Not enough dark purple prints to make it interesting. Going to JoAnn’s today to see if I can find more of the purple polka dots. I am completely out of it.
Your work is so beautiful and you work so quickly!!
You are a sweetheart!! Thank you, Carol.
Great little umbrella blocks, this design is so much fun!
cute idea! i like the purple
oh that’s beautiful, lets hope we dont need umbrella’s anytime soon
Hi MC, kenda and pippa.
Thanks so much for commenting on my umbrella quilt. Hopefully I will get the back made and get it quilted. I am excited to see how it will look finished.