Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Bento Box top, organization of squares

The Bento Box blocks are sewn together and I am auditioning the border.








Here is a closer view of the border.  I'm pretty sure this is the one I will use.








I staystitch the edge of most of my quilt tops before I sew the border on. This prevents the edge from stretching while adding the border.  I use my regular presser foot and move my needle to the right to stitch less than 1/4" from the edge.  The width of the foot is holding the edge secure while I stitch.  I use the 2.5 default stitch length on my machine.  I realize not everyone has the choice of needle positions like I do.

Yesterday afternoon was the sewing circle at my church where we make the preemie layettes.  I had done a lot of cutting at home where I have a large cutting table so I had the scraps.  Last night I trimmed some of the scraps into squares that will be used in the little quilts that I donate.
I use the same system that I used on the log cabin quilts that I made last month.  I bought a lot of the pencil boxes when they were on sale for 50 cents each.

20 comments:

Unknown said...

Very productive day! The bento box is turning out beautifully. I love the border you chose, but I like how you framed it out first with a smaller inner border. I typically do the same thing. I think it makes for a nicer look.

Linda at Roscoe's Ma said...

Wow. This is gorgeous. I love the border fabric. Thanks for the staystitching tip...great idea! I see a bento box in my future!

hetty said...

Stunning! I love the colours! I am a little confused with the size though. Your layout is 5 by 6? Does that make the quilt 60in by
72in? The reason I am asking is because I made a Bento Box quilt this week and I think I cut my strips too wide. Are yours cut to 2 1/2inches?

Joyce said...

Love that border fabric. I have to start stitching the edges too. I never thought of using the regular foot and moving the needle. I'll be doing that on my newest one.

Susan Tidwell said...

I come to your blog for inspiration and am always rewarded. I remember I initally found your blog by googling images of quilts and your Bento Box jumped off the computer screen. I knew then I had to make one, and will some day!

Your use of color is wonderful, when clicking on the pictures to make them bigger I am amazed at your color choices and the fact that they look so wonderful when all put together. I think I am afraid of color, my stuff turns out bland! And I never would have thought to use that border fabric, after all the colors and patterns in the quilt design I would have probably gone with something boring - I see a pattern evolving here. But of course yours will turn out spectacular as always.

Apparently I need to come here more often for inspiration and color-fear therapy, thanks for the therapy session!

Sew Many Mamas said...

Beautiful! Love your colorful quilts!

Stray Stitches (Linda G) said...

Your quilt is beautiful! I like the border fabric you selected.

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

great tip on stitching around the quilt before adding the border. I will give that a try next time I have one at that point, I have had trouble with on point quilts especially stretching.
Love the quilt so colorful as usual!
Karen
http://karensquilting.com/blog/

Terri Stegmiller said...

I've always admired this quilt pattern. This one looks great! Thanks for the great stay stitching tip.

Sequana said...

You know, my cheapie little Janomes may not have presser foot tension (alas) but they both DO have the option to move the needle over. *S* At least that.

Bento Box is beautiful, as usual for you.

Michelle said...

Beautiful quilt!

Elaine/Muddling Through said...

I have never been a huge fan of the bento box quilts, but yours is stunning. The richness of your fabric choices is what makes yours so much more pleasing to my eyes. I like your border fabric choice, too. As usual, a totally excellent quilt from you!

Karmen said...

Lovely! I like the tip about stay-stitching the edge. Might have solved some problems for me. Karmen

Apple Avenue Quilts said...

Your Bento box quilt is stunning!

trooppetrie said...

I just wanted to say thank you. Four years ago I had a preemie and she recieved a small quilt (in AL). it was wonderful, she was so early we had not begun to shop for her so it made special

Jody said...

Wanda, I like the Benzo Box quilt and am thinking that it might be a good one to do in flannel for my dad. Do you have any suggestions about the sizing? Someone said to satart with a 6 inch square and use 3 inch (wide) borders. What do you think?

dls said...

Thanks for sharing the information on your system(s). I an intrigued with the bento box top – the colors are incredible and so alive. Your work is awesome.

Cathi said...

I love that bento box quit -- it is so cheerful and bright.
Your pencil box organization system is fabulous. I'm going to look for some of those next time we're at an office/school supply shop.

Jaye said...

I like the idea of stay stitching the edge. Thanks for the information about moving the needle position and using the regular foot to stabilize while you sew.

Love the Bento Box quilt.

Cheryl Arkison said...

File this under, "Why didn't I think of that?" I stay stitch my tops too, but it never occurred to me to switch the needle position. Fantastic idea!