Quilt by the Numbers - Finishing

All that is left on my Quilt by the Numbers quilt is the labeling and binding. I made my binding during breaks of circle FMQing and diamond FMQing. The binding is calculated to be ⅜" wide and made of the same fabric as the backing.

Typically before I sew on my binding, I make and attach my labels stating my name, the year, and the title of the quilt. I have been referring in this blog to this quilt as Quilt by the Numbers, mainly because the Moda fabric line is called Figures by Zen Chic. The boldest, largest scale, of the numeral themed prints are shown in the next photo in six colorways. I got the idea for this naming from typical paint-by-number kits from my childhood. 

I have gotten so used to that phrase, however, that I think it will stick with it. By default the quilt's title will remain the same concept but shortened slightly to Quilt by Number. Here are the labels stitched diagonally to the two bottom corners. I thought magic binding with the inserted faux piping would not suit the busyness of this quilt and might truncate the corner points along the edges. A simple ⅜" fold-over binding would be better, placed so as to not clip those corners where blocks meet. I sewed the binding on by hand... all 272" of it. The attached binding complements both the front and the back.

Here is the finished quilt. First is an indoor photo with Quilt by Number clamped to the second floor railing. This view best displays the pattern, piecing, and color placement but tends to obscure the FMQ.

The next two photos were taken outdoors on a sunny but windy day. My 6'4" husband had a hard time holding that 68" span up 68" high so I snapped a couple shots as quickly as I could. The key feature shown by these side-illuminated views is the FMQ that I struggled with and obsessed over, only to have it barely show up due to the prints.

The back of the quilt shows more texture in the far-away and close-up views both. The distinction between the diamond FMQ areas and the circle FMQ areas is detectable.

Quilt By Number has been in process for over a year. I purchased the layer cakes in 2015, but did not started a quilt from it until six years later in 2021. Once started, I then set it aside until a final push for completion in 2022. I loved the colors every step of the way. I learned a lot from the FMQ and use of rulers. I think I am hooked on the convenience of layer cakes. This is its sixth and final post. Here are all the posts gathered in one list.

               3/5/21   QuiltByNumbers - Solution Pending
               4/3/22   QuiltByNumbers - Assembly and FMQ
               4/5/22   QuiltByNumbers - FMQ Decided
               4/9/22   QuiltByNumbers - Circle FMQ begun
               5/2/22   QuiltByNumbers - Diamond FMQ Begun
               5/12/22 QuiltByNumbers - Finishing (this post)

The completion of this quilt was not listed in either my 2021 nor 2022 goals. It was not even on my radar since it was not a "kit" and my focus was on reducing the number of kits lingering in my stash. There will be no 2021 or 2022 checkboxes for me on this one. But I still deserve kudos for finishing it. Even though it is large at 68" x 68", it does not quite cover either of our 72" x 84" California King beds but it can still be a topper.  As an alternative, I may display it on our full bed that measures 54" x 75". It feels good to be finished! I will not merely keep it folded up in a closet. I want it out where I can enjoy the victory... at least for a while.