I recently finished assembling a quilt top for my one and only grandson Mr. J using the pattern called Cathedral by Villa Rosa Designs.

This was my second time using this pattern. The first was when I made a quilt for Miss A, my youngest granddaughter.

Now it was time to make a third version. This one would be for Miss L.

According to Miss L her favorite color is pink so it only seemed natural to use pink as the color palate for her new quilt. With the assistance of her mommy Gracie Girl, designed by Lori Holt for Riley Blake, was chosen for the fabrics. If you are at all up to date on which fabric lines are current and which ones are not then you know this one is not. According to the receipt I purchased it in the Fall of 2013 from the Fat Quarter Shop. Having had the fabric on my shelf for almost two years really isn’t too bad. I have some that’s been a part of my inventory for decades.

This line of fabric was sold in bundles of 20 2 1/2″ wide strips. The pattern instructions call for two 2 1/2″ strips of 20 different colors. This meant I needed a total of 40 strips. To have on hand the required amount of fabric I needed to purchase two bundles of the same fabric. As is always the case the strips were not the only fabric needed. I also needed to purchase fabric for the center of each of the rectangles, the filler pieces, backing and binding. Those items were acquired this Spring when I participated in a Sew Day at Bungalow Quilting & Yarn.

To assist me with the selection process I took along the Gracie Girl bundles of fabric. Having them with to make the color selections made things much easier. Choosing from memory would most certainly been a disaster. Playing the guessing game with fabric can be dangerous. Depending on how you think, choosing the wrong hues could either be expensive or another opportunity to build your inventory or stash, as some would refer to it. Chosen for the center and filler pieces were two different shades of pink.

Having made Mr J’s quilt top fairly recently, I was quite familiar with the pattern’s instructions. My acquaintance with the pattern meant the process of cutting out the pieces didn’t require a lot of brain power. I already had my cutting and pressing stations setup and ready to in my Little Cabin In The Woods so getting started on my project didn’t require much prep. I did first have to make time to carefully starch and press the pink fabrics. With those two ready to go it was time to start cutting.

This quilt top would be the last sewing project I would have the opportunity to work on before my husband, daughter and Miss A arrived to share my space. My goal was to get the blocks for Miss L’s quilt all cut out and assembled before my family arrived. It was Wednesday evening and I only had from then until Thursday afternoon to accomplish my goal. Since I had wanted to leave Thursday open to do a bit of cleaning and preparations for my guests arrival that left me with only Wednesday evening to meet my sewing challenge. Time definitely was not on my side. Conquering this item on my to-do-list would mean staying up into the wee hours.

To entertain myself I turned on my television and tuned it to an educational channel. I figured if I was going to be up late sewing and watching television at the same time I might as well learn something. One by one each of the 480 2 1/2″ x 6″ segments were cut and neatly stacked. Next I cut the 2 1/2″ x 6″ center pieces. Those too were stacked in a pile. I saved the cutting of the filler pieces for later because time was of the essence and they would not be needed until the blocks were assembled and stitched into rows. That part of the quilt top would have to wait until a later date.

Time to start sewing. I chain-stitched a strip to the right edge of the pink rectangles. Once I reached the last center I snipped the threads attaching the chain-pieced strips and pulled the it back across the throat of my machine, neatly arranging the pieces in a pile. I carried the pile to my pressing board. After waking up my iron I first “set” pressed each of the seams then pressed them open. On to the left, top and bottom edges repeating the same steps. When the very last block was completely finished it was midnight and way past my bedtime. Not to worry though because I could sleep in the next morning.

Before retiring I paused to admire my accomplishment. While time had not allowed me to get the entire quilt top completed I was still very proud. Over the past four days I had managed to assemble a quilt back for my

First Year Quilt

the quilt top for Mr. J  (see above) and now finally the sixty blocks for Miss L.

As proud as I was I had to admit I was totally exhausted! The past four days could be compared to that of the exertion made while running a half marathon. I know this to be a fair comparison because I have indeed ran one.

With company arriving the next day it would be necessary to pack up my sewing station. As tired as I was I declared tomorrow as the day to tackle that task. The stack of quilt blocks were left resting on my pressing board overnight. Before turning off the lights I took enough time to record a few pictures.

The following day I carefully tucked the stack of Gracie Girl quilt blocks into a plastic container with my other carefully placed fabrics, then snapped the blue lid securely closed. All of my supplies were also packed away. By the time I was finished the only remaining hint of my last four days of activity were the stray threads scattered about on the floor and furniture. I did my best to remove them as well, then declared this session of my sewing retreat officially closed.

All of my projects as well as my portable sewing room would be transported home for a few weeks. My next available sewing session might not happen for several weeks. Miss L’s quilt would have to wait until then.

Have any thoughts on my progress? Leave a comment if you do. :o)