Dreamsicle

Dreamsicle
Hand dyed and commercial cottons, machine pieced and machine quilted, 63.5x82"

My new setup made finishing this quilt so enjoyable. I made the drops (side panels), quilted, attached and bound it all,  finishing at 8pm. So happy! After looking at these photos I realized that I don't have the quilt centered on the bed...the design is centered but the one side is hanging longer than the other. Details!
I am crazy about this straight line quilting, which we at the bedspread factory called channel quilting. Whatever it's called, it certainly makes the quilt lie flat, and so neat.

First thing yesterday morning I took Dave out to breakfast and over to Walmart to get another gas can, which I call thinking ahead on his part. He needs to have gas ready for the rider mower and the ATV and a second can is a good plan. While I was there, I came upon this red iron and knew that it would be just the thing for the new arrangement. One of you darling readers asked me how I place the machine and ironing station for maximum efficiency. I replied that I was still trying to work that out, after all these years. I think the answer is two irons and now I know this is a good idea.

I dragged out my rarely used ironing board and set it up near my machine. I cut all the pieces that I intended to sew and brought them to the machine and as I seamed, I pressed. I did this seated and swiveling in my wheeled chair. Wow, what a revolutionary change.
My main iron (the same one only gray) is at the cutting/ironing/worktable. That's also where the rotary mat and cutter are located, so close to the table with all the fabric. I think pictures would explain this better.

The main worktable with adjacent fabric table and then the machine with ironing board. You'll notice I still haven't changed the hanging plastic shoe organizer next to my table above. Turns out it is doing the trick, keeping everything I need handy, yet out of the way, and best of all visible!

By the way, I took the advice of another fine reader (who???Can't remember, shame on me) and sewed the binding on the back and folded it forward, topstitching it down. So simple and just as lovely as any binding I have ever seen.

This picture also shows a joining strip and a tiny dawgie paw on the right edge of the pic. The backing fabric is vintage Jan Mullen. I bought a whole bolt at a moving sale for $5. Really.