Red Red Binding

I've got a reggae song going through my head this week.  This could be why.

Red Red Binding!  I'm singing it to the tune of Red Red Wine by UB40.  Wonder how it happens that everything I'm working on lately has a red binding?
Since this is my first post in 3 weeks, I should have 3 finished quilts to show. Luckily, I do!

The first is my Ocean Waves quilt, which I am embarrassed to say I pieced way back in 2012.  Above is a photo of the top.

And here's the finish!  My friend Joey did the quilting, or it would probably still be in the closet.

Can you see the wonderful fan quilting she did on it?  Exactly right for this time period reproduction quilt.

Instead of a label, I just wrote directly on the back with a Pigma pen.
I am so amazing grateful for Joey's expertise.  God bless the longarm quilters!

When Joey was here recently for a weekend, I was working on this quilt for charity.  It's the latest from American Patchwork & Quilting magazine's Sew Giving column, and was designed by Jo Kramer and her daughter Kelli Hanken of Jo's Country Junction.  (Great daily blog, BTW.)  The name of this quilt is Make the Connection, and the pattern is in the August 2017 edition of the magazine.  I changed it a little, of course.  I just can't help it.

In the original, the design sort of steps down across the quilt.  I made mine step down to the center, and then back up again.  I also used light blue solid instead of dark blue.

It is so great to find batting, backing, and binding waiting in the stash.  And to use them up!

The last quilt with red binding is my Red Clover quilt.  I finished the top in June, and it's actually already quilted.  This must be a record for me, as I'm normally a prize procrastinator.

It helps that this was a small quilt, and I did really simple quilting on it.

Backing, batting, and binding were all in the stash.
Now I'd like to introduce you to my new sewing room helper.

Ta-da!  My new old iron.  Joey and I went to Goodwill when she was here, and I scored this old black beauty for $9.00.  There is a setting for permanent press, so you know it's been around a long time.

She's made in the USA (!) and honestly is the best iron I've had in 30 years.  My favorite feature?  NO AUTOMATIC SHUTOFF!!!  She also gets so hot I don't need steam.  And I can turn her off without unplugging her.  I only hope she lasts awhile.
Can you believe it's almost August?  Summer will soon be over!  Ackkk!  I still have a lot of summer
stuff I want to do!  So I'd better get after it.
Have a wonderful week!
Cheers,
Sylvia@Treadlestitches
I'm linking up with Amanda Jean at Crazy Mom Quilts, and with Myra at Busy Hands Quilts.