The Most Fun I Ever Had Making a Quilt

Truly, making Cheddarback as a sew-along has probably been the most fun quilting I've ever done (though Baskets of Plenty is right up there, too).  It was challenging, frustrating, not fun, but when I look back at the whole experience of making this quilt, I think of it as fun.

This was a sew-along offered by Gay Bomers of Sentimental Stitches.  Many thanks to Gay!  It began in March, 2019.  We received five patterns each month, one for a 12" block and four for 5" blocks.  Gay recreated all the blocks from an antique quilt which she called Cheddarback because the backing of the quilt really was cheddar-colored fabric.  She also created a few more blocks and offered an adapted arrangement, which is the one I chose.  You can see the original quilt in the sidebar, to the right and down a little.  Some of us who made this quilt attempted to recreate it using fabrics as close to the originals as possible; others made the quilt using whatever fabrics and colors they chose.  There was a Facebook page for the quilt-along where we shared our progress.  It really made it feel like there was a group of us working together. 

 
In the version of the quilt I made there are 16 12" blocks and 54 5" blocks.  Most are pieced, a few required paper piecing, a technique I learned with this sew-along.  This paper-pieced block, at right, was the very hardest of all the blocks (for me) and I think it was the first paper-pieced block I made.  It did not endear me to the process, but I persisted and finished the other blocks that were paper pieced, too. 

The quilt has six 5" basket blocks, or seven if you count the 12" one at the top of this post.  There are three letter blocks; several paper-pieced blocks in both sizes; a few applique blocks; a few blocks that are just odd; and some traditional blocks.

For backing fabric I used Paula Barnes's "Rose Basket" from her Madison Square Collection by Marcus.  For binding I used fabric from a red shirt.  It seemed in keeping with the original quilter's choices:  she used clothing fabric for some of the blocks.

The information below includes details I like to keep track of:  Which batting did I use in that quilt?  How much shrinkage was there?  What size did it actually finish at, etc.  And, of course, how long did I work on that quilt and when did I finish it? 

Timeline for this quilt (and measurements--the quilt lost ~3" in width and nearly 4" in length).

~3/01/2019  Began

 4/21/2020  Final blocks finished    
 5/11/2020  Blocks sewn into top   (72" x 86")
 9/11/2021  Layer and basted
 9/12/3021  Began hand quilting
 3/29/2021  Quilting finished   (71" x 83 3/4")
 4/14/2021  Binding finished   (70 3/4" x 84 1/2")
 4/15/2021  Washed and dried--finished!   (68 7/8" x 82 1/4")

From finished top to washing and drying, and due to quilting and washing & drying, the quilt lost ~3" in width and nearly 4" in length!

I used Mountain Mist 80/20 cotton/poly batting.  It was one the company sent to replace one of their wool battings that was a fail.  I had it on hand and decided to use it.  It was easy enough to hand quilt and the fibers didn't come through the front or back of the quilt.  I would probably use it again.

 Below are two of my favorite blocks.

This is a 5" block, a pattern I hadn't seen before or since.  It was appliqued.

This is another 5" block.  It was paper pieced.

I'm thrilled to have this quilt completely finished!  I think the quilt needs a new name, since there is no cheddar on the back, but I haven't come up with one yet.  Ideas?

I'm linking this post to
> Finished or Not Friday at Alycia Quilts
> Peacock Party at Wendy's Quilts and More
> Beauty Pageant at From Bolt to Beauty  
Thank you for hosting, ladies.

--Nancy.