Well, technically, the top is complete.

It’s not bad. After putting all the rows together it is amazing how the puckers really calmed down. It was hard to get a full picture of this because of the size that it ended up being – about 90″ long – I have 8′ ceilings in my basement and this is only about 6 inches from the very top. There were some seems that didn’t line up, but then as I went down they lined up perfectly. This is what is to be expected when working with so many bias edges I guess. 

It was a challenge and fun at the same time. But sewing on the curve is really hard on the hands – my fingers were tired when I was done, that’s for sure.

Well, got so far and then came to a screeching halt tonight.

First of all – this happened:

I had all the columns made and laid them out and something looked a little off. Yep, right there in the middle one of the white on white pieces was in backwards.  It is so tricky with these white on white fabrics when they are faint. I almost thought I had one of the other ones in wrong, but I checked that one and it was fine and I just continued on – didn’t think to check any other ones.  So had to pull apart and put back together.

Trimming these up what not an easy feat at all.  But, I got into a grove and it got quicker and quicker.

Finally got to the point that all the columns were done and I took it up to lay it out and see how it was lining up.

Seeing this all laid out was an awesome site. This one is kicking my butt, but I love how it is coming together.  What I did realize, seeing it laid out like this is that I really do want it to end differently.  I want to have the same direction on both ends.  So I either have to make another column or not use one column.

I wish I would have known this before I made the Geese Migration piece of this project – I think I used a couple of pieces that I am going to have trouble finding enough to make another column.

So I pulled the box out and seeing how it looks. There are 3 that will need to be pieced because I don’t have enough width of a piece of fabric because of the arch. But It won’t be that noticeable, I will put this line towards the bottom.

In the laid out picture, I know it looks like the 5th row from the right is not all the same but it is, it just happened to be a pattern that was a arch and had a dark background, I like how it looks there. I do love this more and more when I see it, even though it is not my color scheme at all. Too bad I didn’t make this 30 years ago, my son’s favorite color was green, we had to have everything green – all because of the Ninja Turtles.

Just to put this project into perspective – each column/row took 45 minutes to sew together and another 25 minutes to trim up.  Lots and lots of concentration on this one, but I really really do love how it is turning out.  So much so, that I have a new idea for a twist on this one – good thing I have a “No New Project” rule this year – see Geese Migration project 🙄 .

So this is what happens when you are too picky –

I had 5 of the 8 strips done, when I looked at them hanging there, I just didn’t like something about them.

Well, I decided, after having 5 of these done that I didn’t like 1 of the fabrics in them. Well, that fabric was in each strip 3 times – and none of those spots was at the top of the bottom – all deep in the column.

So off to the fabric store I went – yep, broke my goal of not buying fabric again!!!!

Purchased 3 white on white fabrics and started cutting curved pieces. Then “Jack” and I sat and watched a movie together – we had a great time together, really we did.

Funny how in the quilting world we always talk rows… rows this and rows that.  In this project, it’s columns. So funnier yet, I am a programmer and my whole day life is about rows and columns – I guess my two worlds have finally collided.

Well this was a lot of sorting and coordinating to make sure that I got everything put back together with the replacements, so I am back to where I was – 5 of 8 done!