at long last - ice cream soda quilt

It has only taken over a year for this quilt to be finished.

In summer 2018 I bought the paper and acrylic template for the Ice Cream Soda quilt by Tales of Cloth but I didn't want to start this quilt until I finished my hexagon quilt. I almost managed to wait that long but not quite. I finished the hexagon quilt in January 2019 but started the Ice Cream Soda quilt at Christmas 2018. It was such a slow project and every moment of making the little blocks was enjoyable. I love looking through my two boxes of quilting fabrics and choose fabric for each of the blocks (I am not sure what to call them other than blocks). I even enjoyed cutting the fabric and sticking it to the paper pieces. I glue basted reluctantly at first, then got used to and now rather like it. It is quicker than using thread and needle basting. The quilt kit contains enough papers to make a 68 x 68 inch quilt. I thought of making mine rectangle but in the end, it just ended up being as square as the original.

Joining the blocks with white fabric was fun, too. What wasn't so much fun was removing all the papers once all was joined together... it must have taken at least a week. I ironed each paper, repaired any that had a tear and put all back in the envelopes they came in and then neatly repacked the little kit box. You never know, maybe there is another Ice Cream Soda quilt in my future (or yours, if you'd like my papers).

After I removed the papers, nothing much happened for a long time. I often buy a flat sheet for the back but our local Ikea didn't have any in a colour I fancied. Flat sheets seem to go out of fashion and I can see why. Who still uses flat sheets on their beds? We sure don't and there are probably not enough quilters to justify continued production. Eventually I made a backing from fabric remnants. I didn't like it much at first but it has grown on me.

In case you are wondering, the wadding is a Quilter's Dream Orient, which is a blend of bamboo, silk, tencel and cotton. It washes well and is really warm and soft.

As always, I procrastinated over the quilting. I was done with hand stitching and I knew I would machine quilt this one. I couldn't see a natural quilt line that I thought would be perfect and eventually, I quilted lines that framed the blocks. I am not sure I like it but I don't think I'll rip it all out and start again. But I might.

Deciding on a binding took another month and I made two lots of it, one in blue Chambray and one in red floral liberty (remnants both). Neither really made me happy and I have put them in a box for a future quilt. Then it dawned on me that there had not been enough orange in my live lately and I remembered an orange fabric that I had bought for a shirt dress that never happened (it will soon, I am sure of it). It was perfect. I think it must be my favourite binding ever. I always attach it to the quilt by machine but then stitch it down by hand. This is the absolutely best part of any quilt if you ask me. I love doing that and I'd be happy to do yours if you don't like this part of making a quilt.

Finally, washed the new quilt and put it through the drier. I like the slightly crinkled used look that this creates. I am thinking of giving this to someone special but there are too many special people in my life and I may never be able to decide... so far now, it joins the pile of quilts that are in our living room.

I have already a new quilt project on the horizon but I'll show you that another time. Thanks for visiting. Wash your hands and take care of yourself and your loved ones, and maybe check in on your elderly frail neighbours, too. Christina xx