Grand Illusion Mystery Quilt - Finish!

Oh I am so very proud of myself ... If you will remember I started Bonnie Hunter's GIMQ back in November, you can see the start of it here  http://quiltingunderthesun.blogspot.com/2014/12/grand-illusion-mystery-quilt.html.  We had 6 weeks of clues and of course I got behind because Christmas was in there.  I started putting it together the beginning of January and I must admit I ran out of steam!  This quilt is 88" x 88" and I rarely make a quilt that large.  There are over 2,000 pieces, so you can imagine how many seams there are!!

There was sun coming in the window and I could not get a good picture without some glare.

There are 52 pieces in each block; there are 25 blocks in the quilt!  That is 1,300 pieces right there!  There is also sashing in between each block ... 16 pieces in each sashing; and a pieced outside border.  I gave up counting pieces!

I will say I cannot believe that my pieced outside border fit!!!  I did have to ease it in, but no more than I normally would.

I am really impressed with myself because with all those seams, there was a distinct possibility that the border was not going to fit!

After I put it all together and finished the pressing, it was time to de-thread the top.  That was a lot of work, but it looks so much better now!

Then I cut all my leftover browns and pinks.  I didn't measure, I just cut them into strips and sewed them all together.  I measured after I was done sewing ...

I have enough binding for two queen size quilts!!  Haha ... It took a long time to wind that binding around the spool. 

This is my third finish of the year and I am

so excited!  I think I am going to quilt it in a dwirling pattern ... That is a term from the Pajama Quilter video .. It's a lot of fun and I of course will share photos when I am done.  Did you have any finishes this week?