Monday, August 3, 2009

I didn't intend to put a border on this one...........
but the piece was so small I thought I would look through my fabrics and if I found something I liked I would put on a border. If I didn't find anything I wouldn't. Well I found 2 fabrics that I think work very well with it. It is now about 37" x 47". It looks like a tapestry now. The left side of the border had the most light on it and is the most accurate color.
I had 2 requests to show the quilting on a Strips 'n Curves quilt. This is the only finished one that I still own. I liked the quilting that was similar to this on some of the quilts in the first book. I consider my quilting casual, each wavy line has its own personality. I did ditch quilt all of the seam lines before I did the wavy line stitching.
On this block you can see that I loosely quilted the outline of the pattern in the fabric of the big print.
I don't like my quilts over-quilted. I like them soft and I like the fabrics to be showcased so I don't do a lot of overall quilting that doesn't relate to the quilt pattern. The exception to this is the bed quilts and lap quilts that are made from a simple pattern. I do all over meandering or loop de loop, or meandering with leaves or hearts on them. On my small wallhangings I do more straight line quilting with decorative threads. Choosing the quilting design is still the hardest part of the quilt for me.
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Sunday was my free day on my day of the week schedule to do what ever I wanted to do. Since the basket quilt was on Monday and the top is done, it moves to Thursday for basting day. I need to put a new project on Monday but I am teaching an all day finishing class so I'll do the choosing when I get home.
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I sewed the binding on the queen size TAW quilt that I quilted recently. It took over an hour to sew the binding on by machine. Now I have at least 6 hours of hand sewing. I'll try not to complain all week about it.

25 comments:

Diane said...

Fancy your having the perfect fabrics to border that quilt! In this case, the border adds so much richness that I can't imagine the quilt without it. Gorgeous.

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

I love the border on that it. It really fits with it. Also I like how you do the stitching, sometimes I think people put way too much in a piece I like the soft also. The quilting compliments the piece. It turned out really well.
Karen
http://karensquilting.com/blog/

Vicki W said...

It does look like a tapestry!

Frog Quilter said...

Your quilting is BEAUTIFUL. I read as well as look at the pictures.

Julie Bagamary said...

GREAT border.

Jean said...

I like the border, very rich fabric.

Quiltdivajulie said...

Love how the look of this changed when you added the border fabric - marvelous!

Having 6 hours of handwork would make me happy (unless I had a really quick deadline) . . . go on and complain if you want, we'll understand!

Vivian said...

Thanks for the photos and explanation of your machine quilting choices. I definitely prefer less quilting rather than more for most of my quilts.
Love the border you added.

Joyce said...

That border is perfect!

Mary-Kay said...

Thanks for the quilting tips. Now I have to get mine out and see what I can do on them. I don't like hand sewing the binding either. My favourite part of the quilting process is when you have a completed block and you press it, then you get to see all the colours come together. Which explains why I have so many tops that aren't quilted.

Julie S said...

I love the border on the circles quilt!; it really adds to the overall impression. WOW!

Thanks for posting pics of the quilting of circles. It looks like the secret to creative quilting patterns is to think outside the box. Your creativity continues to inspire me!

Lynn E said...

Lovely work.

Cathi said...

You're right -- it does look like a tapestry! That border fabric is so rich! Perfect choice!

New needle for the hand stitching of the binding??

imquilternity said...

The borders add just the perfect touch...it's a lovely little quilt!

Anonymous said...

Tapestry Elegance ~ This has turned out to be another one of your most elegant pieces! Just love what the border has done to this piece.

I always enjoy what you share with us. I may not be an avid quilter, but I live it through you. And if I do any quilting this year it will be strips and curves, I am just facinated with the curve matches.

J~MT

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

The borders are great! I wish I could take your strips and curves class - it would be so much fun.

Vicky F said...

Hi Wanda,
Your strips and curves looks so sophisticated.

Maybe it's too fancy now for your yellow room with the green yellow sunshine quilt?

Vicky F

Cara said...

Wow - the border really makes the top quilt for me. It wasn't a favorite for me before, but now it definitely is.

Purple Pam said...

I try not to whine when I am sewing on a binding on a large quilt also. Sometimes I give in, though!

Judy Alexander said...

Great border and how lucky to have it in your stash.

Gari in AL said...

Oh, go ahead and complain about sewing the binding. I will be doing that next week. LOL

Britt said...

I LOVE this quilt! So rich and lovely.

Wendy said...

So beautiful! I'm so glad I found your blog, you really are an inspiration to me!

Rebel said...

The border is great...it gives a good grounding for the excitement of the strips & curves.

jacquie said...

i really like this piece wanda. it's interesting hearing that how to quilt is hard for you. i always struggle with that decision. trying to catch up on all your posts. you're such a productive lady!!