I haven’t been able to sew for a while after straining the ligaments in my hand golfing back in March.  But this weekend, I finally got to sit down at the sewing machine.

I had a hard time deciding what I wanted to work, but in the end, I decided to pull out this UFO/WIP that had been calling my name.   I started this quilt along in January of 2011.  I stopped before I even got the blocks together. I was unhappy with how my seams were lining up.  Then last fall, I decided to pick it up again because after all, I was doing this as an exercise to build my skill.   I knew when I started it wouldn’t be perfect.   So after convincing myself that it was okay to proceed without ripping out a bunch of seams, I finished over half the blocks.   Then life got in the way, and it has sat, in progress since then.

Yesterday, I picked it up again, finished all the blocks and tried to pick a layout.   I posted before here and here on my theories and dilemma’s with using 2 different solids (black and white) in this process.   So yesterday I auditioned a couple of layouts.

Option 1:

B/W Quilt Layout Option 1

I like option 1 but I just wasn’t sure, so I pulled out some sketches I’d made for how to layout this quilt , and tried a different layout.  It was perfect.   So here’s the completed top

B/W Postage Stamp Quilt Top

Here’s another view, not as easy to see because the sun’s coming in the window behind the quilt.

I’m pleased with how it turned out.  I don’t think that it’s overly obvious that my seams aren’t as accurate as I wanted.   I learned so much over the course of this project and my seam skills are so much better now.   Mostly I’m proud that I picked this back up and finished  the top.   Now I just need to pick a backing material and quilt it.  I’m hoping I can quilt it on my machine and not have to send it to the LA.

The good news is that sewing didn’t hurt my hand. Yeah!!    I’m hoping that I don’t have to go back in a brace next week when I go in for a follow up.  At least for now, I can sew!