Autumn quilt bordered

       It was a journey, but I finished piecing Appalachian Autumn and put a border on it. I do not like to have many seams in the binding, so a border will help alleviate that. I varied a lot from Bonnie Hunter's pattern, but I really like the way it turned out. I also premade the binding so it will vary from green to brown to orange like the quilt.

Too many seams to put a binding on for me

Getting Back to it

      The it being sewing. Everything has worked against me getting any sewing done. If I don't have the machine running, I am just not happy. We went to the ADK in Sept. for a week which was grand, but no sewing. The big time-energy sucker is remodeling the kitchen which means tearing it all apart. I don't want to post those photos here today, but celebrate working on a quilt top. It is still not complete. The counter top comes next week, then the sink goes in, then the water hook up. I am doing dishes in the basement and in the bathroom. Lots of stuff still in boxes.
     Last year, I started Appalachian Autumn with a different take. Then it sat. I promised myself that I would not put it away until it is a top. I followed the graph paper I did a year ago, made all the units and then started putting it together. I completed all the blocks. I made the sashing, one by one as it I wanted it scrappy for texture.

     I decided the best way to sew it was to web it. That way, I would not turn things around, which worked. However, I have one block, bottom, 2nd from left side, with a turned leaf point that has to be corrected.

    Next, I added a graded color border also.

     Then I am adding the pieced border, also graded.

     I am back!! Even if the kitchen is not done and I am still disorganized- gotta sew or burst!

It is coming! Fall that is.

      I love Fall even though it brings winter. I love the colors and scenery. I love Fall leaves. As I was going through UFO projects, I found the pieces of Applachian Autumn (Bonnie Hunter pattern) that I started last year. I took the bag apart and tried to remember what in the world I was doing. I definitely needed to cut more HSTs, much more.

     As I dragged out more fabric scraps to get ready for die cutting, I found a freebie  maple leaf pattern. It took 5" Squares, and I have lots of 5" squares cut and sorted by colors. Squirrel!

    Ok, but I needed more and I hate square quilts.

     Ok, more please with the colors.

     Yes, that is it! All from stash. And the backing was a wide piece from Gwen with a strip added on.

Figuring out Appalachian Autumn

      When Bonnie Hunter offered her pattern, Appalachian Autumn, I bought it as I love leaves. I don't particularily love square designs, so when I saw Julie's layout, called Resplendent,  I started drawing. I thought if I made some of the leaves green, some changing and some orange, I could make it work. I also would transition the border to match the leaves. Instead of grays and creams, I decided to try light blues and dark blues. I am still totaling up all the pieces I need on my graph paper, but I have the idea going. Rectangular shape, transition leaves and border, light and dark blue backgrounds. Here is my paperwork.

     Here are my string blocks for the leaves, transition leaves to the right:

     Here is a rough mockup I did in a word processor using a couple of blocks I had :

     What I need are more light and dark blue scraps to cut out the HST and rectangles. I need to cut all the HST pieces, the two color sashing and 4 patch cornerstones. At least I have a solid start. Long way to go. Trying to keep myself from being confused in cutting the right amounts.