I got a little rhythm going during Desparate Housewives and Dancing, and I added a black stripe to contain all the scrappiness of it all. (sorry about the rotten pic)
Then, I got to really looking at it, and decided I could do better, and I had a major bump in the middle that I tried to stretch out, but it always came back. So, I gave up and ripped it out, started all over, and this time it is going so fast because I (finally) followed Finns advice and sewed the strips on the machine. 
And now look, even Cubby likes this one better! She can't wait till I leave it on the floor for good, she thinks I lay it down just for her.In between, I tested a theory. I wanted to put a flannel backing on the Ethnic Star, but I wasn't sure how it would wash. I had visions of the flannel shrinking and getting so soft, and the front, not shrinking as much, so it would be wrinkled, puckered, and old looking,,, sounds wonderful to me. What a wonderful, warm, cozy effect that would be, right?
So I cut a square of flannel, and a square of cotton, put a simple grid on it, and bound it. Threw it in the washer and dryer, rubbing my hands together the whole time, thinking how clever I was, I was going to make this quilt look a hundred years old! Pleasure oozed out of my pores. 
Until I pulled it out of the washer. It did not look a hundred years old, it did not have the wrinkled, softly aged look at all. It just had the puffy look of the 70's & 80's. I was so disappointed. I hung my head as I brought it up to show DD#3. I handed it to her and tried to explain that I had other theories we could test out......She didn't hear a word I said, she was squeeling with delight! "OH, That is exactly what I wanted!! Look how old that looks! It's perfect!!! Oh, Mom, I"m going to LOVE it! Thank you so much!" Needless to say, I (like any of you would have done,) pretended that was exactly what I wanted it to look like.
Why is it, I think the 80's are out of fashion, and now my daughter thinks of the 80's as "retro." Go figure...
Hope your day is wrinkled and sofly aged!
lyn
9 comments:
Ah, goes to show to each his own! Sewing those strips on the machine drove me crazy between the machine eating them and all those threads to trim! I am with Cubby, it is great, I really like the idea of the black stripe. Isn't this fun?
The black stripe just sets off the rest of the colors.
So glad daughter is pleased with the outcome of flannel on back and the look/feel it will be.
Have a great weekend!
Amelia in Oklahoma
I love the rug - and I can't wait to see the finished quilt. Glad your daughter liked the way the test quilt came out!!!
Kris
I have a new blog to list your quilt blog, if you are interested, I'd love to have you join us! http://justusquilters.blogspot.com/
hugs!
niki
Very cool rug. I like how it is turning out. And I like the look of the test quilt!
Hi Granny, my what good progress you are making! The rug looks wonderful *VBS* You are doing soooo well! I had to pull out quite a few beginnings...several were alot bigger than just a beginning. It's just part of the learning curve(or curse, if you prefer).
The lest quilt looks great. I don't think you'd get much shrinkage from a poly batt, best chance is with the 100 % batts and they are now controling how much those shrink also. I think what you did looks great! Big hugs for a great weekend, Finn
Your rug is so pretty, I'm so tempeted to start on ( even have a whole pile of strips ) but I'm so swamped at the moment. I love your blog and have so enjoyed reading it !!! Your quilts are just wonderful :)
Amy
this made me laugh. I use flannel on the backs of my quilts all the time! I am just now finishing putting binding on what I like to call"The Ugly Quilt" which is retro fabric and my DD just LOVES it too, go figure! I guess they didn't have to wear that lovely retro stuff, huh?
Thaanks for this blog post
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