Tropical Shirt Quilt. The Top is Completed. 19 Sept 2023

 Here's the completed quilt top.

I'm actually kind of pleased with the result.

First I combined squares into pairs, and sewed those together.  I left out 2 of each type, for row ends.

The seams are ironed toward the darker square, so the nest when sewn to the next row.  The other seams were ironed open so they will be flat.

I questioned whether I left enough un-sewn, so I laid them all out on the sunroom floor.

Well, they were OK.  So I sewed together the pairs, building up to eight rows.

At this point, I'm ironing all seams toward the darker squares.  I'm also checking my photo of the layout that I liked, so I get it right.

Then U sewed together the rows, this time ironing the seams open.  Result is at the top.

Next step, batting is ordered on Amazon, USA grown and manufactured.  The Chinese imported is cheaper, but there's the slave labor issue, so I paid more for a US small company product.

Also, the flannel backing.  I'll starch, press, and sew that in the next few days.

Tropical Shirt Quilt. Squares Are Ready. 18 Sept 2023.

 This went pretty fast.  All of squares are completed, each consisting of two rectangles.  Since this was different from my original plan, each square needed just a bit of trimming in order to have true squares.  That gave me a chance to even up some irregular edges, so it was a good thing.

I'm using my trusty pre-digital, 1990s (I think) Kenmore sewing machine.  I enjoy sewing in this machine, more than any other.

I printed out a photo of the lay-out, to help me assemble the squares.

Fig Harvest. 18 Sept 2023.

 There were a few ripening figs on the Hardy Chicago Fig tree.

I sliced them into halves, and put them in the dehydrator to dry.

Some New Bearded Irises For A Container. 18 Sept 2023.

 These are rhizomes that I bought via mail order.

The varieties are "Seward", "Frimousse",  "Twist of Sheree", and "Lemon Cloud".  The rhizomes are healthy looking, but I imagine that 2024 will just be a year of growth, preparing to bloom in 2025.  Who knows what will happen by then?  It's a bit on an act of faith, planting them.

Depending on how well they grow, they will probably need more room in two years.  Wait and see.

Transferring Seed-Grown Echinacea "Cherokee Spirit" to Container. 16 Sept 2023.

 This is one of the Echinacea "Cherokee Spirit" that I grew from seeds late last winter.  It's interesting, the plants grown from seeds that I did not stratify, are blooming earlier than the ones I did stratify.

I liked the color of this one the best so far, so I dug it up and transferred to a container with potting soil.  Before planting, I washed off most of the garden soil.

It was a little stressed.  I knew I was taking a taking a chance, possibly killing the plant.  The daytime temperature high has been in the mid to high eighties, although nights drop into the sixties.  But so far, just minimal wilting and that perks up in the evening.  I'm keeping the plant in the cool shade on the north side of the house, so far.  I also pruned off the oldest flower.