Boxing Day

{a picture heavy post}

This is my last quilt of 2013.  :o)  And the first time I laid a quilt on the snow for a picture!

I finished Boxing Day with a whole day to spare.  I named it Boxing Day for many reasons.  First, my friend Esther suggested it.  (Thank you, Esther).  Second, I realized when Genie commented, that it does look like a bunch of Christmas presents.  (And I do use elegant gold and red wrapping paper.)  Third, I finished it right after Christmas.  (The backing fabric was 50% off after Christmas.) 

It is funny to think that it all started, because I bought this stack of fabric to make table runners for my sister and sister-in-law. 

I just fell in love with the fabric, and had to buy more to make me a new wall hanging. 

Because I didn't follow the original pattern, I had a lot of green fabric left.  So I went back to the store and bought another yard and a half of red fabric to even it out. I added some more beige with gold fabric which was in my stash, and had the perfect amount to make this quilt top. 

All I had to do was go buy more red fabric for the backing.  I had enough for the binding and extra stripe of the backing. 

What is that?  Four trips to the fabric store for this Starry Night fabric, and I still totally love it. 

I decided I wanted to quilt it in a golden thread, but not metallic.  So I held a little try-out. 

I compared the golden threads I had to a real metallic, and started with that golden yellow (to the left of the metallic).  I used that until it was gone.  Then I used the golden tan (to the right of the metallic.)  I don't think anyone but me will know I used two different colors.  Well, except anyone reading this.  ;)

I finished up the quilting on the 30th of December.  I quilted loose pointy spirals. 

Then I quickly sewed the binding on by machine. 

I started the handwork on the binding with 36 hours until the new year, and finished with nearly 30 hours to spare. 

I hope you don't mind a little show and tell, because I am seriously loving this quilt!  Here it is in all its glory:

And here is the pieced back.  I thought it would be fun to use two different reds. 

How about some close-ups...

That old golden fabric from my stash really blends in well.  It is hard to tell that there are really two different prints meeting in a 4-patch above. 

I love how the golden quilting turned out.  It was worth fighting the thread breaking to get this finished.  I changed my needle, changed the thread, and tried quilting slower.  It still kept happening, so my Janome is now being serviced.  (Probably should have been done a while ago.)

I think it is kind of ironic that I was hurrying to finish this quilt in 2013 - just to say that I did - when I won't be using it much for the next eleven months.  LOL. 

I just have to say, that you know you are a quilter when the biggest criteria for your new living room furniture is how it will look with a quilt draped over it. 

You also know your husband is totally used to your quilting habit when he doesn't think twice when you ask the salesman to borrow a throw from another display to see how it looks over the back of the sofa.  ;)  My husband even helped me adjust the furniture a little in the showroom, so I could try it out.  (Although the salesman must have thought I was a little odd.) 

My new sofas were delivered this morning  *squee*  just in time for pictures.  I now think I need some star pillows out of this fabric. 

You know, it really does look like presents under the tree.  I am loving the name of the quilt even more. 

I also love this quilt on the rack behind the sofas. 

Yep, I definitely need some pillows for next year. 

Okay, I think I am done with the pictures.  I had so much fun taking them.  Next, time I will try to reign myself in. 

I think that next year this quilt may move around the house throughout the Christmas season.  It was so much fun seeing it in different rooms around the house. 

Quilt Stats #78

Name:  Boxing Day

Pattern:  Large Disappearing 9-Patch

Layout:  Inspired by Deb of A Simple Life Quilts

Fabric:  Starry Night by Northcott

Batting:  Hobbs 80/20

Size:  About 66 x 88 inches

Date Finished:  December 30, 2013 :D

What I Learned:

• It is easier to cut an 8 inch square in half than a 24 inch square. 
• I can use a more contrasting thread.  I love the look of this gold. 
• My thread may break less if I quilt a little slower. 

If you want to read more about the process behind this quilt, check out this post. 

XX,

Jasmine

P.S.  I may have to go to the store yet again for this fabric.  I need backings for the pillows I will make out of the scraps.  And maybe a new tree skirt.  I found out a couple days ago that my husband doesn't like the store-bought one.  Please, tell me I'm not too crazy. 

P.P.S.  I am linking up with Finish it up Friday at Crazy Mom Quilts and Can I Get a Whoop Whoop at Confessions of a Fabric Addict

P.P.P.S.  This post was highlighted by Val as part of her Nine Patch/Disappearing Nine Patch archives post.