Two Finishes - Charity Quilts

        Two finishes this week! Two of the guilds I belong to have very active  programs where they donate quilts to various organizations for people in need.  I got one done for each guild.   On Monday, I finished the blue jelly roll quilt.   This quilt will go to the local City Mission.  I think I heard that over 100 have been donated this year!   I finished sewing on the binding right before I had to leave for my meeting, so I neglected to get a picture of the finished quilt.  You can get the idea from the pictures below!

     The jelly roll top was made by another guild member, and was in a bag with backing fabric and batting.  My job was to finish it off.  I always sandwich my quilts using my large craft table and binder clips.    Much easier on the back than taping pieces to the floor!  If anyone would like a more detailed description of how I do this, leave a comment!  I can put together a tutorial. 

      I had a nice varigated blue thread for the quilting, and   I used my Tiara to do a big loopy pattern on each of the jelly strip rows.  I tried for evenly sized and evenly spaced loops (which didn't happen), but overall, the effect is a happy one.  I'll certainly try this on another quilt sometime!

       Earlier this year I had finished  up two other small quilts for the same guild.    There is usually enough extra backing material to make the quilt binding.  If not, I certainly have plenty in my stash! 

This one had a big meandering pattern in a varigated thread.  

     Just today I finished the red white and blue quilt.

     I need to get this back to the guild on Monday.  This guild works differently, and provides a pattern,  donated fabric already cut, batting and backing.  I needed to sew the pieces together, and then quilt and bind it, creating a twin size quilt for a veteran.  I would have preferred just getting the fabric and creating my own pattern, but I actually think this turned out better than I thought.

Getting ready to pin.  

    I ended up quilting this with my Bernina and a walking foot.  I had a thicker varigated red thread, and just eyeballed each row in thirds, and let the walking foot do most of the work!   I considered adding more lines, but wanted this to be nice and soft!  

       The back was pieced from three fabrics, and the red thread(which I used in the bobbin, too) shows up nicely. 

   
     I am getting ready for my very first quilt retreat in a few weeks.   Can't wait!  I'll be linking up today with Crazy Mom Quilts Finish it up Friday.   Have a great weekend! 

Take care,
Gretchen