Canadian Chris Quilt in Progress, a finish, and my eye on a new project!

 Today is Memorial Day in the states.  Most government jobs are off, many people are decorating graves, while others are enjoying a three day weekend.  Me, I am having a splendid day at home alone, listening to a good book, and working on my Canadian Chris Quilt.  I honestly thought I wouldn't get much done on this project because it felt overwhelming.  Once I laid everything out and came up with a layout plan, I realized that this could maybe even become a top this month.

I chose to take the blocks Chris made and do a "row quilt" with them.  While this was not the original layout she had in mind, I am really liking it.

Chris has two of these quilts in progress.  Look at the rainbow one and this fun layout.

Her friend made it in browns.

Here is a flashback from last year when I visited Chris in Canada and sewed with her lovely friends.  Quilters are amazing people, all around the world.

I began by assessing the blocks that needed to be completed.  These red flowers were fused down.  I added the machine blanket stitch around them.  The center orange peel block was fused to freezer paper with the edges turned.  I removed the paper and then hand stitched the white petals down.  I also removed freezer paper from a few blocks that Chris had machine stitched down.

Two blocks have been prepped for needle turn applique'.  This one currently has freezer paper underneath.

This one was prepared in a different way for needle turn applique'.  It was pinned onto the white block with the pattern drawn on the front.  I have been hand appliqueing it using the drawn line to know where to turn it.  It is coming along well.

Chris had nearly finished the stitching on this gorgeous block.  

Here are some photos to show where I need to finish.

Because the embroidery is close to the edge, I have begun to sew it to other blocks in order to give a little more space to fit the hoop.

After blanket stitching the flower blocks, I attached them to this block made by Chris.  This increased the size to fit the other blocks in the row.

I have assembled these three rows together.  They perfectly came out the same length.

This block needs to be assembled. I will do it with y seams once I figure out the size to cut the corner squares and the triangles. 

I am not sure what the pieces to this block were supposed to make, but I cut out the four corner white squares and formed this block from the units Chris had made.

Honestly, Chris has put much more work into this quilt than I will.

On another note, I have a finish!  Well, it is finished, but I may add some zipper pockets to the white side.  This is my first ever attempt at a jacket.  I do not sew clothes, and this was particularly hard for me because I attempted to make it reversible - NEVER AGAIN.  It was a beast, but I learned a ton.  Not a bad project made from free fabric.

Pink side

White side

As a reminder, this is a practice run for a pieced one I want to make to wear to quilt retreats.  Here are some  photos of a jelly roll I won that I plan to make my "real" quilt jacket out of.

I have been looking online for pattern ideas. I like these two.