Hands 2 Help Challenge completed

Today is the final day of the Hands 2 Help Quilt Challenge.  Visit Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict to see all of the quilts made by the 47 participants. I  completed 2 of the 3 quilts I started for the Challenge.  I tried 2 new to me techniques on the red, white and black quilt. It was the first time I used a flange on a quilt and my first attempt at sewing a binding on completely by machine.  I was delighted with the flange which added a narrow punch of solid black to the border, but less than excited about the machine sewn binding.  I actually like hand sewing the binding to the back of a quilt.   I find it to be very relaxing and a great way to keep my hands busy while watching television or when I am a passenger in the car.  I decided to try the machine sewn binding because it has been so hot here this summer.  The week I was applying the binding, temperatures reached 100 unairconditioned degrees.   The tutorial I followed recommended using a blanket stitch.  Although I like the quilt, if I machine bind a quilt in the future, I will try a different method.

The back of the quilt looks washed out in the photo.  The middle stripe is Kona cherry, while the 2 side stripes are from the fabric below.

The second quilt I completed was made using the fabric sent to me by my challenge partner Jamie.  I really like the bright colors against the crisp white.  While I was finishing up the quilting, I realized that I reversed a few of the blocks.  I was disappointed that I didn't pick up the error in time to correct it, but I still love the way the quilt looks.  If you find the errant blocks, please don't tell me, it will definitely burst my bubble.

 

I used a pretty pink floral for the backing which is actually much brighter in person.

I wasn't able to put together the blocks I made for the third quilt so I will complete it and use it for a different charitable group.  The fabric was leftover from the same UFO that spawned the first red/white/black quilt.  I think it will make a cute quilt when finished.

The quilts will be taken to Romania along with food and school supplies by the husband and father-in-law of Judi of Green Fairy Quilts.  If you would like to see a video of one of their mission trips visit the Green Fairy Quilts blog Thanks Sarah for hosting such a fun and worthwhile Challenge.  I hope this will become an annual event.