Yippee.. It's Out! (and this is the way we mend our..)

Not much to look at, lying there in a rumpled heap on the chair. The light is bad too because the sun decided to go back to bed this morning.

But it is a beautiful sight for me, because finally my Summer Stash Challenge quilt is out of the quilting frame and ready for binding.

I was seriously debating with myself about what to use for the binding while working on the whole last row of blocks. Originally I thought of using a bright multi-colored striped piece of fabric that was already cut, I had intended to use it for sashing for another quilt at one time then didn't.

I thought I could just trim it down a little and it would be perfect. Hmmm. It might be a little too much stripe though, and may a solid dark brown would accent the whole thing off more beautifully. Do I have a big enough piece of dark brown? I'm sure I do.

However, I kept thinking about the meaning of this quilt, the challenge, and the whole thing of what it represents. Yes.. using from our stash was one main thing. And the pieces that I was debating about using for the binding were already in my stash. But. I would need to cut them. Plus, I would need to trim off all the excess backing that was around the quilt. It really seemed like a waste, because what would I really do with that piece of sheet that was trimmed off? It isn't very colorful. I would save it of course for something else. But what? And when would I ever get to it?
So I have decided I am going to fold the backing over and self bind. It won't be as striking from the back as the dark brown would be or the multi-colored stripe. But it really does make much more sense.

There were some nice comments Monday about the Fern Bisel Peat picture. And many who have never heard of her. I don't think she was well known. So maybe I will just share some more of her work from my collection of vintage children's books. The girl washing her doll clothes came from this one "Little Housekeepers", copyright MCMXXXIV, (1934). This book was also published under at least two other titles - "Mulberry Bush" and "The Picture and Rhyme Book". There are maybe more. And Fern also used pseudonyms. I'll tell about that sometime. But they are all the same lovely illustrations of girls doing their daily/weekly chores.
Here is what the Wednesday girl is doing. Mending her socks. I thought it kind of appropriate for today, since I have had a needle and thimble in my hands since 5:30am, and will probably spend most of my spare time today sewing the binding on my quilt. I hope I don't start having trouble with my decision to self-bind. That striped fabric still does look pretty cute.. and what would the solid brown look like?
ANYWAYS..

I know there has been some other progress too on some of the other Summer Stash Challenge quilts.. I have been sneaking little peeks here and there. I am SO looking forward to posting about them soon.
Think after I throw towels in the dryer and wash breakfast dishes and have some lunch, I'll put some more coffee on and try and make my way around blogland. I miss everyone!