Losing Track

I've tried over the years to keep a list of the I spy & t-shirt quilts I've made (in excel of course).  I also note the blog post & date, to try and keep the blogs current too.  When I first started quilted I could remember every quilt, who it went to, where I purchased the fabric, etc.  But those days are long gone so a list does help me keep track.  There are several I spy quilts that I just don't remember where they went, but I'm sure some child somewhere is enjoying them (though they are likely grown now).  Periodically I realize I've been so busy sewing I've completely forgotten to update the list or the blog.  Going back through the photos on my camera is the only way  to figure out what I've missed.

These last two should catch me up on T-shirt quilts.

 I've started making some work quilts for people who have been there a LONG time (some over 25 years).  I made 2 virtually identical for 2 ladies who have worked together for 20 years.

Fireworks Quilt

This most recent T-shirt quilt was made for a co-worker whose family runs a fireworks business.  Her son came up with the idea of a t-shirt quilt for his father, made from various firework related shirts gathered over the years of their business, attending annual trade shows and other related events.  It also includes some shirts from their business.  Because I was trying to get in a lot of shirts, it did get LONG.

We searched through the various firework related fabrics for something to use in the sashing, and decided on a scatter print of small sparkers (that do sparkle).   and the backing is a sunny bright yellow that is the same color as the shirts their employees wear.

I even got out of my comfort zone and stitched freehand stars for the quilting. I decided trying to do actual fireworks would just look like dandelions or worse.  Several years ago I read in a quilting book that any freehand motif looks better doubled, so I tried it and I'm pretty pleased with it. I also tried another method of joining the fleece.  I had been reluctant to sew the pieces together like normal quilting cotton because I knew you couldn't iron the seams open.  I was worried about them not laying flat, so I used a glue stick to hold the seams down during quilting.  Worked like a charm.

But this is the best part.  The son & father came to my office and I got to give it to them in person.  They were thrilled.  The best job.