Evening Addition: A Finished Quilt

I just finished this large plus quilt which I call Evening Addition.  I made it as part of the Hands2Help Challenge and it will be going to Happy Chemo.  I wanted to make a more manly quilt this year, and I think this is just what I had in mind.

Ever since I made Christmas Addition in December, I have wanted to make another plus quilt with even bigger squares.  These finish at 7.5 inches.  It was a great stash busting quilt.

You can cut five eight inch squares out of a quarter yard of fabric.  So for a quilt top which finishes at 60 x 75 inches, you just need four yards of fabric.  I used eight dark/black fabrics and eight medium/gray fabrics.  I was able to piece the quilt top in less than 2 hours.

Then I took it to my mother's to try free motion quilting on her frames.  Her long arm machine is in an unfinished portion of her basement.  We hung up some white hospital sheets to help reflect more light.

I kept it simple and quilted a loopy spiral.  I don't think I saved much time quilting it on the frames instead of my sit down machine, but it was fun to try something new.

The backing is a red, black, and gray flannel which I was given.  It brightens up the quilt and adds some softness.  I was amazed at how well I was able to keep the plaid straight on the frames.

I had to piece the plaid.  Can you find my seam?

I'll give you a hint:  One little blue stripe is narrower than the rest.  :D

I am so pleased with how it turned out.  

I quilted it with a black thread, and I love how it looks.  Even on the lighter grays.  It dresses them up.

It was this star print which helped me come up with the name.  It brings evening to mind. Hence "Evening Addition."

I bound the quilt in this fun print which is two of the big pluses.

I enjoyed making this so much that I am sure to make another large plus quilt with eight inch cut squares.

Quilt Stats #139
Quilt name:  Evening Addition
Pattern:  Plus blocks made with eight inch squares
Fabric: Blacks and grays from my stash.
Amount used: 8.5 yards
Batting: Hobbs 80/20
Size: About 60 x 75 inches
Date finished: May 2015
What I learned:

• I can do free-motion quilting on my mom's long arm, but still have more control on my sit down quilting machine.
• I personally like the free-motion quilting more than the computerized quilting on my mom's machine, but I believe there is a purpose for everything.  
• The large plus quilt is so much fun and fast to make.  

Monkey had fun testing this quilt out while I was trying to take pictures.  He makes for a cute photo bomb.

The Hands2Help Challenge ends at the end of May, so there is still time if you want to make a quilt to donate.  :D

XX,
Jasmine

P.S.  I will be linking up with some of the fun parties on my sidebar.  Check them out to see what other quilters are doing.