The last of four quilts is bound - and a goal is reached.

Because we were stuck inside today, I had plenty of time this afternoon to hand stitch the last quilt binding.  It feels so good to have these done!  Now, all that is left of the five quilted projects that have been needing binding for two years is the 30's double wedding ring.  Next week I'll add to the quilting on that one, and then will get out my books to figure out how to do a binding on a scalloped edge.  That is one thing I've never done!

This feathered star quilt, as well as the one I finished a few days ago, are two samples I made while teaching two different sessions of a feathered star piecing class.  I had a third quilt - done in beiges and rusts - that I "sold" in trade for machine quilting on the quilt I made our son and his new wife.  It was a top I loved, but my quilter needed a wall-sized quilt top "Now!" to finish as a gift.  The trade worked well for both of us.

I love making feathered stars, but most of those I've made have been smaller blocks - either for quilts of my own or 12" exchange blocks.  I do have one more UFO that has a center feathered star.  That is one I plan to finish in the next couple months - at least to the stage of a finished top.  This is the 2003-2004 Girl Gang quilt designed by Jan Patek and Cherie Ralston.

The quilt has a top and bottom row of simple pieced blocks - the Indian Hatchet block is the name.  I will do those in reds and browns I think - maybe with some blue and gold also.  Or maybe just browns and golds.  Then there is a complex applique border all around the outside of the top.  I hope to have all the Indian Hatchet blocks done by the end of the month.

I'm so eager for this top to be done, as I really love it.  You can chuckle at the date in the center block - that's the year I thought the quilt would be finished.  This project was started in 2003 -  I think it is past time it is finished.  Don't you?