A day ahead of schedule...

I'm actually a day ahead of schedule on something.  That doesn't happen very often.  Actually, I can't remember the last time.  My goal was to finish the hand applique on the scalloped borders for Here's My Heart by Friday night, but I managed to put the last stitch in them last night instead.

Scalloped Borders for Here's My Heart

Finishing them earlier than I anticipated let me put the top together today.  There really wasn't much to it at that point.  This quilt is 32.5" square.

Here's My Heart Completed Top

I'm already thinking about how I want to quilt it.  It's unlikely I'll finish that part before Valentine's Day, but hopefully before the end of the month.  Here's a close up of some of the hand applique.

Close Up of Hand Applique

I used the back-basting hand applique method for this quilt where you draw the reverse of your pattern on the back of your fabric.  I used a Sewline pencil for that step.

Pattern Lines on the Back of the Quilt

Then by basting the pieces in place from the backside, I can insure that my applique ends up right on the lines.  It's the most accurate way I've found to applique.  Your pieces end up in exactly the right place.  Of course, there are quicker ways to do it but I enjoy the results I get from this method.

I also wanted to show you just how much extra fabric came with this kit.  For the corner squares I only needed a 4.5" strip (which is under the ruler).  Everything to the right is extra fabric I can use for another project.  There was a lot of extra fabric from this quilt.  Too bad the quilt store where I bought it closed last year. 

Leftover Fabric from the Kit

I'm so happy to have this top together now and it only took me 2 years to get started on it!  I've got a couple of other things to finish before I can start quilting it though.

Until later...

So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.  

Hebrews 4:16 (NLT )