The Goodbye Quilt Page 14
I’m grateful to master quilter Marybeth O’Halloran for the insights and expertise into her colorful world—any liberties and errors in the text are my own. A very special thank-you to my dear friend, Joan Vassiliadis, for creating the original Goodbye Quilt and for sharing her talent in the pages of this book.
The Goodbye Quilt Pattern
by Joan Vassiliadis
www.joanofcards.blogspot.com
Finished size is approximately 45" x 56"
Instructions based on 42" wide fabric
All seams are ¼"
Fabric Requirements
Collect 100% cotton fabric scraps that have special meaning to you. Don’t be afraid to cut into old things. You will be able to enjoy them much more in a quilt that will be seen and touched every day. Make sure your scraps are at least 7" wide and total approximately 2½ yards. Inner border: ½ yard solid color to frame the string bars. Outer border: 5/8 yard. Backing: 3¼ yards. Binding: ½ yard.
Cutting Instructions
Cut approximately 220 strings all 7" in length—cut uneven widths ranging between 1" and 3". Inner solid border: cut 4 strips crosswise (from selvage to selvage) 2½" wide. Outer border: Cut 4 strips crosswise 4" wide. Binding: Cut 2½" strips to total the perimeter of your finished quilt.
Sewing Instructions
Play music while you work, sing along and remember why each piece of fabric is special to you. Begin constructing the bars first into pairs and then into fours and so on. Put dark colors next to light if possible, but don’t worry too much about it if you have more darks than lights or vice versa. Do be careful to pin and press. Whenever possible, press towards the dark fabric. Construct six bars at least 44" long. Your edges will be uneven so trim each bar to 6" wide (see Figure 2). Sew all six bars together and press. Trim the ends so they are all even and you’re ready for borders.
For the inner border, measure your quilt lengthwise first, and construct two strips 2½" wide to this length Sew to the sides of the quilt and press. Next, measure the width of your quilt. Construct two strips 2½" wide to this measurement. Sew to the top and bottom of the quilt and press. Now for the outer border: Measure the sides of your quilt and construct two strips 4" wide to this length. Next, measure the width of your quilt. Construct two strips 4" side to this measurement. Sew to the top and bottom of the quilt and press. Your top is now complete! Think about all of the memories sewn into this quilt…remember the sweetest moments of life.
Finishing the Quilt
Linda finished her quilt on the drive with Molly. You can finish yours in the car, in a comfy chair, with your quilting friends at the dining-room table…any way and anywhere you please! If tying your quilt you can embellish with more memories: buttons, ribbons, badges. Do think about how often your quilt will be washed and how your embellishments will endure. If you make your quilt an art piece, then you can incorporate almost anything. After quilting, measure the perimeter and sew binding strips together to total this measurement. Attach binding.
ISBN: 978-1-4268-8882-3
THE GOODBYE QUILT
Copyright © 2011 by Susan Wiggs
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