Thursday, April 2, 2009

And now I am binding

I finished the quilting on yesterday's quilt and then cut binding for 2 others that I quilted last week. I started the binding on my dotted quilt. Click here to see the top before the border was added. I finally found the perfect border for it and a backing on sale. It originally had 168 different dotted fabrics. Now it has 170 with the border and back. The binding is one that was already in the quilt.


I have almost 3 sides hand sewn down. It is amazing how nice sharp needles work. A couple of my readers sent me needles to try so I will know what to buy. I threw away the needles that I had been using for a couple years.

It was fun to hear all of the ways the readers described themselves as quilters. I think it is still the hardest to describe to non quilters. When I see their eyes glaze over I just excuse myself and walk away.

17 comments:

Carmen Rose said...

Oh I'm just dotty over this one! (Sorry, couldn't resist.) And you already had 168 doted fabs in your stash? Wowza, impressive stash!

Dolores said...

LOL. I think I just call myself a quilter or a fabric artist but I would advise no one to put it on their resume. I naively thought that it was a good thing to have on the resume since it showed that I had a hobby. NOT!!! Great interview starters? NO. "Oh, my grandmother used to make quilts." Yeah, sure - did that equate me with his grandmother's age, mentality, ability in today's electronic world??? I have been quilting since 1980 when I was expecting child number 3 and it took me a while to clue in but I finally got the message and now my resume is free from hobbies of any kind.
P.S. I love your colours, that's why I am a follower. Have you always worked with so much colour?

Meredith said...

I love hand sewing my binding down. I get excited to have a complete quilt. I like your choice of binding fabric.

Claire O'Connor said...

Dots just make me swoon -- I don't know why that is, and who cares, really, but I just get all happy inside whenever dots are in sight. So 170 different dot fabrics, that is enough to send me WAY over the moon. I love the thoughts that 170 did not seem like too much to you (haha!) -- it inspires me to think bigger!

Unknown said...

Ahh, dots, I am an avid collector of any color dotty fabric! I just love them. Your quilt is a fantastic way to use them. You know I never think of throwing out my old needles, I guess I should. It really makes sense.

Anonymous said...

I am a dot person also,never have enough.Wig.

Maggi said...

Fantastic border and binding. Also good to hear that there are still other people out there who do bindings by hand.

Sequana said...

You know, if we change out machine needles after certain hours of usage, why would we not change out the hand needles too?

Why would they stay any sharper after hours and hours of use?

I never minded doing bindings, but since I've been using the 6-stitch at a time method along with the straw needles, it goes like wildfire!

Love all the dots.

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

Wow - that dotted quilt!!! I would never have been able to put it away unfinished. It must be like taking out a treasure when you did the binding and backing.

Susan said...

Love the dots, the color, the 'exuberance' of this quilt! I'll be interested in your needle review -- I also have been using needles that have been around forever (some inherited from my mother-in-law, who probably used them for years first). Sounds like time to clean yet another thing out of the sewing room!

Cathi said...

This is the most cheerful of quilts! I love dots!!
I'm very curious to hear which needles you like best too.

Anonymous said...

Love that 'lil' center dot you have in ever block. 170 dotted fabric pieces amazes me. Like all of your work.

Enjoyed catching up with the last few days that I had missed since Saturday. Impressed with all those32 commenters on describing themselves. All of us we are so different in personalities that their quilting creativity mirrors that.

J~MT

Joyce said...

I love your dots. I am collecting them but am very far from the number you have in this quilt!

Gene Black said...

Wanda, I had several dotted fabrics that I just used to bind my "crazy quilt." I confess that I did NOT sew the binding by hand. I was too excited to be finishing this one.

Vicky F said...

Hi Wanda,
Dots always look very energetic and fun to me. So you have one high-energy quilt there. Beautiful border and binding!
Vicky F

Jean said...

I have been collecting dots for awhile, but I have nowhere near that many....your collection amazes me, Wanda. Glad you are getting those bindings on. It is my least favorite thing to do. I usually have to tell myself it is binding week or something. lol...I don't really dislike it that much, I just like to piece and quilt better.

Susan Tidwell said...

Your blog is certainly named right, what beautiful colors you choose to create with. Love your quilts, thanks for sharing!