x and + quilt

With a bit of extra time around the house for Spring Break, I finished one of the quilts I had pieced a couple of weeks ago. It went from this:

to this:

The sun was a bit bright! I used the "x and +" pattern by Brigitte Heitland from Quilty magazine from March/April 2013. I omitted the 10" wide gray border though, instead using a 2 1/2" wide strip. The other fabrics are a mix from my stash. It ended up about 60" square.

 I ended up using a gray and white polka dot for the back to keep it simple.

I also have another finish I don't think I blogged. Before I left for DC, I spent a bit of time on a project for my daughter. She has needed a new tote bag for a while. I found this pattern and let her pick some fabrics. She asked for a patchwork pocket on the front, something I had recently added to a pillow for her room. She LOVES the bag--she said it looks like a professional made it! My husband suggested to her that maybe I am one, given how much I sew.

It is always great to finish some projects--especially to such high praise.