Quilting on a Deadline

I was contacted last Tuesday by a friend on a business trip, asking if there was any way that I could make a small quilted piece to present to a retiring Army Colonel at her retirement party. Only twist: the retirement party is April 15, and this friend (who had the materials I’d need to complete the piece) would be out of town until midnight on Thursday. So there was no way I could get the stuff to even start it until Friday.

After talking to him about what he was looking for, and how much I’d be paid (“handsomely” was his word of choice), I decided to go for it. It happened to be a good time for me to do this, since I just finished “This Old Thing” last week and am on a productivity high at the moment.

He brought the stuff late Friday afternoon, and I had it put together by Saturday evening. I finished the quilting on it yesterday afternoon, and put the binding on last night. Today I’ve been hand-sewing the binding to the back and attaching the hanging sleeve, but it is DONE. He’ll pick it up tomorrow and I’ll have a handsome check in my wallet (that will be spent in 2 weeks in Paducah — heh). Woowoo!!

It’s very simple, but that suits the recipient and the purpose of it. I’m happy with how it turned out. I had to leave the flash off so you could see the quilting; it’s not so dull in person.

Completed Army Quilt

It’s about 38″ in diameter, and Tom and discussed the hexagon shape when he brought all of the elements over on Friday. I added the triangular wedges (foundation paper pieced those) to extend it to the final shape. I was going to square it out, but decided that the dodecagon shape was more like an Army insignia/patch than a square would have been. Plus, the extra quilting I would have had to do in the corners really would have detracted from the piece, I think.

All in all, I’m pleased. I think it looks very military, and hopefully showcases the patches the way Tom had hoped for. I just sent him the image; I hope he likes it when he comes to get it tomorrow.