Finished!!

Yesterday I sewed the binding onto the front of Rhapsody in Blue, Elaine will add a label then finish the binding with hand sewing.

Here is the quilt displayed on the carpet in the basement.

The left bottom side.

And the right bottom side.

Then I took some pictures of the quilt on our bed.

A side view.

A close up of the center. I tried to find a stencil showing this curvy triangle design. I couldn't find it on the Stencil Company website. I have this design in a couple sizes, the one stencil says #W1004W, Overall C.L. Design, 1996 Sten Source Intl. When I typed in the information, it took me to this website.  I have no idea where or when I bought the stencils, apparently before the turn of the century?

The quilting started on Rhapsody August 20, 2025 so quilting took a little less than 11 months. Slightly over 1000 yards of thread were using in the quilting. The finished size is 115" square. 

Elaine did all of the applique. The center applique is from the Lady Jane pattern which was designed by Nancy Rink, the applique border is a variation of the design. We did not buy any of the blue fabrics, we used what we had in our stashes, guess that makes Rhapsody a 'scrap' quilt. We did buy a whole bolt of the gray background fabric. There is background fabric left, I see a gray background quilt happening in my future.

The batting is a Hobbs Tuscany 100% wool batting which I probably bought at Connecting Thread during a batting sale. I don't use wool batting except when I hand quilt 'special' quilts. For quilting thread I use YLI hand quilting thread, it costs more but it's a quality thread. If you are going to go through the labor of hand quilting, don't use a cheap thread. Years ago I used Coats & Clark hand quilting thread but the thread they manufacture now isn't anything like it used to be. I've had trouble with it fraying and tearing.

The backing fabric is a white floral wide backing that I purchased at Calico Point. I like white on the backside of quilts, it shows the stitching.

I'll take another picture when Elaine has the binding finished but that won't be until fall. I'll keep the quilt here until October. This quilt will be donated to the 2027 Michiana Mennonite Relief Sale, it's finished a year ahead of time!

I'm taking a blogcation until August. July has been an extremely busy month and it's just going to get even busier, the blog has to take a backseat.

The only time I used my sewing machine last week was to attach the binding. I'm enjoying time with family, especially the grandchildren. I've been restocking the freezer and hopefully the black raspberries I picked in June will be finally be made into jelly. No black raspberry jam here, the farmer does not like seedy jam so jelly it is. I'm enjoying the flowers while they're blooming, I'll have plenty of time for sewing and handwork in the winter.

I'll be back in August, happy stitching everyone!

Linking to Patchwork & Quilts, Kathys Slow Stitching Sunday, Stitching Stuff, Oh Scrap, Handmade Monday, Sew & Tell, Craftastic Monday, Design Wall Monday, Monday Musings, To Do Tuesday