Some of you will remember back in November when I mentioned I was working on a quilt I called 'red shift.'

I am cheating and showing pictures ahead of time, but I am aware that neither of the recipients are reading blogs right now, as the female half of the duo is recovering from serious, albeit planned, surgery. (She's doing well.)

Here's what has had me obsessed since November.  All photos from the set are now public. 

You start small, with piles of fabric cut into neat shapes...

Toy soldiers in formation
by domesticat.

and slowly assemble, bit by bit:

Flags in the breeze (1)
by domesticat.
Flags in the breeze (2)
by domesticat.
Arcs to clamshells
by domesticat.

and one by one, they become units:

All pieces created (1 of 2)
by domesticat.

which you gradually assemble into bigger and bigger chunks:

The quilt that ate an entire room
by domesticat.

and on a Thursday night you blurt out an affectionate obscenity or two and realize, well, you can finally stop staring at red and black fabric and move on to something else!

That's not exactly fair, though.  I loved working on the quilt, but I was frustrated by the end of the quilt-top assembly because I just wanted the project to end already.  A king-sized quilt comprised almost entirely of curves is not a quick assembly for anyone, much less me.  I will have a bear of a time binding I when it comes back from the quilter's, because of all those tetchy little points and curves...

...but I have now proven to myself that the double wedding ring pattern I loved so much as child is a pattern that I, fumblefingers, can reproduce.

It's quite a nice feeling, I must admit.  Just shoot me if I ever decide to do another king-size quilt.