Finished by Friday and I Just Love It!

Checkerboard and Rails - this top is done and ready to be taken to the longarm quilter! I love this quilt and am really pleased with the colors. The light teal batik was a beautiful fabric and the brown with teal polka dots really sets it off. The pattern called for a fourth border of the teal but I liked it better without. I might bind it with teal but I'm not even sure I want to do that. I was surprised at the time this one took - the checkerboard squares are 3/4" finished and even though I strip pieced them it took a lot of time. I got the pattern from a Better Homes and Gardens book Quilting Pieces of the Past. According to the book this pattern was first documented between 1860 and 1890. Abraham Lincoln was elected president in 1860 and the Civil War began the next year. Rural quilters continued to piece scrap quilts during this era but fashionable city women had access to a good variety of fabrics. Muddy brown, dark chocolate and cocoa brown were common and double or cinnamon pinks were also popular. The book shows this quilt in a dark blue and muslin.

Linda at Behind My Red Door is having the most wonderful giveaway. Please go visit her, not just for this but for a great read. She's funny and sweet and entertaining - she's on my bloglist at the right of this post. And if you go please tell her I sent you so I'll get an extra chance on this!