You knew today was National Quilting Day, didn’t you? Of course you did. As usual I didn’t get as much finished as I had planned, but oh well, the back will wait.
A couple months ago I picked up a charity kit at guild. I usually avoid that table because I have enough stash to make charity quilts from, but that day the colors appealed to me. I think the kits are made up from blocks left on the freebie table that are not grabbed up. Then someone assembles some that go together into kits. Minimum size is 40 x 40. So I took a kit and laid them out. (I remember when these were blocks of the month, and even made a couple several years ago.)
Oh good, it looks like they fit. There are a couple more. One I snatched to go with another kit I’d taken a LONG time ago as it was the same block. One would be a loner and end up in a doll quilt, most likely. One would go on the back; however, it needed corners. I bought some orange for the corners and purple for the back.
In the first layout, it looked like the top and right rows might be a tiny bit big, but I assumed that would be taken up in the 1/4 inch seams. If anything, I expected to be trimming the checkerboard part (Trip Around the World blocks?) I was quite surprised when the border blocks were about 2 inches bigger than the squares set.
I gave about 2 seconds of thought to making a new row of squares for two sides. Not being much of a perfectionist, I decided this was the moment for liberated quilting. I think it was Gwen Marsten who said, “If it is too long, cut it off; if it is too short, sew something on.” Knowing I couldn’t match the colors already there, it seemed better to do a strip than a row of squares that clashed. (Sounds better than saying that I was too lazy to sew up two rows of squares, doesn’t it?) It would have looked more planned if the side strip had been on the right, but not enough better to be worth getting out the seam ripper. The purple is what I’d bought for the back and binding, so it will appear again.
Of course I didn’t go with the original layout. Half the fun is playing with possibilities. I ended up with this.
It measures 47 x 47 so I won’t need to add a border.
knitNkwilt 
That is one very cheerful orphan! It’s going to brighten up someone’s day no end, and I admire your pragmatic decision-making processes. Finished is better than perfect, as always.
I like it! Interesting and sure to warm a person who needs it. I like the asymmetrical look and the solids work well together.
That came out rather well for “potluck”!
I like the final layout and it looks very together with the purple. I think it actually needed that.
Go orphan blocks – you are orphan no longer 😀
I bravely picked up a bundle from our charity table, but I don’t think I can match your creativity on this quilt! I think Marston’s advice should be given out with all charity bundles–such an excellent mantra! Your quilt turned out great, Claire!
love it …always fun to come up with a more liberated way of putting a top together