I did manage to squeeze in a little sewing. Firstly, I got my Low Volume quilt top assembled. And I love it! I started this way back here and here in November last year. (Oh, it only took me 6 months! Yay!)
I have one small problem though. I really think it needs a border. I'd planned to do this quilt without a border, but I think the machine quilting could distort my piecing on the edge of the quilt, so a border will help alleviate that. I think. If you have any thoughts on this, please share them with me.
The big problem is . . . I don't feel like cutting any more fabric for this. I was really hoping this was DONE, and I'm disappointed that the quilt is telling me it wants a border. Now I'm planning on doing more of the low volume fabrics for a chunky, scrappy border, and the idea of getting all the fabric out again and cutting it just makes me come to a screeching halt. Ugh. Absolutely no motivation.
Well, I don't think the "cutting elves" are going to come to my rescue so, if I want this truly finished, I'll have to bite the bullet, clean off the cutting table and start pulling my fabrics and cutting. *sigh*
I think my quilting mojo has left the building! I wonder . . . if I clean the quilt studio, do you think I might find it in there? I'd rather sew than clean, but I guess it's time to just do it.
I can't believe I did this whole top without having to buy any fabric! I guess that's why I have a stash. *Grin!* Many of these fabrics are old friends from the scrap bin. And the scrap bin is still full, somehow. Must have "fluffed" it! hee hee!
I even put some of my hand-dyed fabrics in here, scattered about the top. See that piece in the lower-left corner that is pink-ish next to the "blah" fabric? That is one of the hand-dyes. You should see the back of that piece - it's bright, not pastel! The white-on-white fabric toned down the color and it works as a pastel.
This is my lone bird I did for the Block Lotto in April. I got a bunch of fabrics ready to make more birdies, but never got it done. Unfortunately, I forgot to post this photo over at the Lotto, so I wasn't in the drawing at all. After all that trash-talking I did to Joe Tulips about how I was gonna win, too! She managed to make a whole flock of birds for herself, as well as for the Block Lotto. Maybe I'll do better this month.
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| my camellia, about 2 weeks ago |
The last weekend of April I went down to the California Bay Area to visit my friends and attend their quilt retreat. I hadn't been there in 4 years, and it was so great to go! We had a blast! I'll try to do another post that shows all the great quilts that everyone had. I even got something done and another top almost done.
Here's a fun "test" to see how Left-brained/Right-brained and creative you are. I got 43% Left-brained and 57% Right-brained! Have fun with it! Wishing you a creative week!
Yea! I LOVE your low volume top. It takes such discipline to keep out the color. Very elegant result!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Nifty Quilts, it is very peaceful and elegant. Why not a plain indigo fabric as a border ? Or, if you stick to low volume, a light blue one ?
ReplyDeleteAnyway, it will be a great quilt !
Katell, France
Have you tried "stay stitching" on the edge of the quilt? That might help...
ReplyDeleteI agree with the Calico Cat, stay stitching around the edge is all you need. It stabilizes the edge, keeps it from stretching and seams from popping.
ReplyDeleteOMG, I love that test! 37/63 here, which explains why I made my organizationally-compulsive former boss so crazy! :0
ReplyDeleteI really like the top -- but if you're that hesitant about the border, don't try to force it or you won't be happy with the results. Go with your gut!
OMG, I love that test! 37/63 here, which explains why I made my organizationally-compulsive former boss so crazy! :0
ReplyDeleteI really like the top -- but if you're that hesitant about the border, don't try to force it or you won't be happy with the results. Go with your gut!
Low volume is cool!!
ReplyDeleteI agree, sandwich up that top, put on your walking foot and baste stitch all the way around it before you quilt it!!
I know you feel, sometimes it feels like dragging up an ole dead horse when you have to drag out all the fabric again for a top you thought you were finished with.
I really like my Light White quilt without the border.
We will wait with baited breath to see what you decide on this one. ( what does baited breath mean? i have heard that phrase allll my life...or maybe it's spelled "bated".....?????)
Love how your neutral quilt turned out--very serene! Have you thought about adding a single neutral border to your top and then scalloping it? Just a thought!
ReplyDeleteYour test was very intriguing! No surprise, I got a 59/41. Five years ago I probably would have got a 75/25! lol Quilting has been VERY good for me.:)
It's "bated breath." It means waiting while holding your breath; compare the popular saying "Don't hold your breath," used when the wait for something is expected to be long and, more likely, the thing may never come. "Bate" means "to lessen the force of; moderate" and is related to "abate" (American Heritage Dictionary).
ReplyDeleteI did the old copy and paste to get the explanation...be sure to tell Mrs. Browndirt!
Wait a minute though, your were wondering about your top and a border. I like all the ideas. Indigo border, no border, light border, or scalloped border. When I don't know what to do, I usually set it aside and let it rest for a bit. Something eventually comes to light and it just seems right.
I should take the test again. I was so NON-committal to the answers the first time.
Stay stitching the edge will do the trick, or you could use just one neutral fabric for a skinny border, it would take less time to make and not take away from the overall look.
ReplyDeleteWell, wouldn't you know it would be a school teacher-ish type person who would come to the rescue on the 'baited'
ReplyDeleteor 'bated' breath debate. Of course, it wasn't really a debate 'cause I was the only one involved in the question, you know, muttering to myself under my breath!! I guess Joe Tulips heard me.
Now, thanks to Joe Tulips we ALL know the answer. I feel REALLY smart and I didn't even have to stay at a Holiday Inn.........snort
I love the look of your low volume quilt. Have you tried auditioning a border or two? Take a picture of it all the ways you are considering and pin the pictures up side by side. Or you may be able to tell just flipping through each one on the screen. This may help you in deciding whether to add one or leave as is. If it's screaming, "put a border on me", it may need just a plain no nonsense strip so the eye can rest and look complete. It will be so beautiful when it's finished, so go the distance now to save regret later. ;o)
ReplyDeleteno border, just get it finished... it's horrible when the mojo departs. I find string piecing onto paper foundations is fabulous when that happens. I so need to clean and organize my sewing area. lived here a year and never really moved into it...
ReplyDeleteI think you could just stich around the edge and not worry about a border. It looks great without one. Your little bird block is so cute. I'm going to have a go at that test , thanks for the link.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun test, I'm similar to you with 42/58.
ReplyDeleteSince this post is old, I wonder what you decided. I like the quilt as is...stay stitched...and an indigo binding. Can't wait to see the results. The camellia is beautiful!
ReplyDelete