My intent this weekend was to work on my Prairie Paisley Challenge that Lisa and I have going on. She probably has her top to the quilters already at the rate I am going.
I just couldn't buckle down to that project until I got the borders on two quilts that are a-l-m-o-s-t done. That is Dandelion Girl you see in the picture above. I attached an additional peach containment border and then the large pale yellow floral. Now the quilt looks more finished to me, and is also a more usable size. I have no idea why the border looks so rumply. I swear I measured it exactly and also did matching pins at the halfway and quarterpoints along the quilt top. My quilter says my quilts lie flat when they are quilted, but that rumpled look really bugs me. What is the secret? Do you cut the border fabric a half inch shorter than the side of the top and then "make it work"?
This quilt is one of my all time favorites. It is a Miss Rosie pattern called Opening Day and I chose Roman Holiday fabric to make it. I wanted it to be queen sized, so I added the floral border. It is huge now! 88 inches square I think! Did I mention that I LOVE it? This one is next up to go to the quilter. This pattern would look similar in the new Glace collection by 3 Sisters.
Also on my To Do list are three binding projects and two backings projects. I have no idea why I procrastinate with bindings the way I do. I am fast and good at it, but the only time I have to stitch is in the evening and I can't see so well then.
I had a lovely weekend, in spite of having only one day off. The weather here has been so overcast, foggy and dreary for the past two weeks, and finally it seems that we are going to have some "mostly sunny days". In fact the weather has been so crummy, a friend invited my husband and I to a Gloom in June party Sunday night. The idea was to dress up in colorful summery clothes and celebrate as if it were 80 degrees outside. Well, it sure wasn't anything close to 80 degrees, but I did wear my white jeans and flip flops and a bright green shirt. Our hostess wore her shorts and to her credit, never once put an afghan or blanket over her knees the entire evening. We sat inside with the fireplace going, while gazing through the windows at the covered up patio furniture outside.
At the clothing store where I work in Carmel-By-The-Sea, tourists in tank tops keep coming in and asking if we have jackets and turtle necks. Um, no, this is summer, don't you know? One girl who at least had her season right came in to see if we carried bathing suits! Imagine that! A town located on one of the prettiest beaches in the world, and you can't find a bathing suit within the town limits. All I could suggest was "Maybe you could go to Santa Cruz or Capitola?" Pathetic.
Your quilts are both beautiful, Nicole. I'm surprised you get so much done, what with working 2 jobs! Opening Day is one of my favorites too. Just lovely.
Posted by: Lisa D. | June 08, 2009 at 08:00 AM
Beautiful Nicole ! ! !
I procrastinate with bindings too . . . I have 5 quilts waiting . . . funny thing is that once I get going on them I do enjoy it . . .
about the eyes . . . my eye doctor made me a pair of bifocals just for my sewing . . . they are bifocals with my regular prescription on the top and magnifiers on the bottom . . . now I can work at night !!
he had me bring my hand sewing in with me and tested my eyes while I sewed . . . he is awesome . . .
Posted by: Cheryl | June 08, 2009 at 08:12 AM
I love both quilts...especially the Miss Rosie's one! I made a small one using that pattern recently using Patisserie and can't wait to make the larger version...maybe I'll use Glace'...thanks for the idea! I also procrastinate bindings...I don't know why either...I don't mind it once I'm doing it!
Posted by: sherri | June 08, 2009 at 09:06 AM
Wow! Your "Opening Day" quilt is STUNNING! I love it and the colors are gorgeous. I'm sure the quilting will add to it's beauty!
Posted by: Kim | June 08, 2009 at 09:07 AM
Oooh, I love that star quilt. (Ok, I love the pinwheel one too.) The secret to getting non-ripply borders is to measure the length of your quilt in the middle when determining how long to cut your border. Does that make sense? Edges often get stretched out, so, instead of measuring along the edge of the quilt, measure the length in the middle. So, for example (if you're putting side borders on first), in the star quilt, you'd run your yardstick or tape measure right along the seam between the third and fourth columns of stars. Then put the side borders on. For the top and bottom borders, do the same thing -- measure horizontally, along the seam between the third and fourth rows of stars. (Is that quilt square? It doesn't look square -- it looks rectangular!) Hope that makes sense.
Posted by: Thimbleanna | June 08, 2009 at 09:39 AM
they look great... i have that issue with borders sometimes and the only thing that seems to work is pinning and sewing slowly... who knows! the weather here has been a yo-yo.... hot as can be...then cold...then warm.. then rain... i never know what the heck to wear!!
Posted by: jaybird | June 08, 2009 at 10:05 AM
They are both beautifull, but I like especially the miss rosie one.
Posted by: Judith R | June 08, 2009 at 10:16 AM
Beautiful quilts!! Please show them again when quilted. I love the Roman Holiday one!!
So why is it no one in Carmel sells bathing suits?? I love Carmel! I used to live in Silicon Valley and we would zip down the coast often. I remember having hubby circle the blocks while I jumped out to run into a bakery for SHORTBREAD! Mmmmmmm.
Posted by: CJ | June 08, 2009 at 11:59 AM
I love both of your quilts, absolutely gorgeous! We have been having the same dreary June Gloom weather down south here too.
Posted by: Beth | June 08, 2009 at 12:40 PM
I have a stack of Fig Tree fabrics I need to do something with. Always glad to see what someone else has done.
I wish I knew the answer to your border problem as I sometimes get the same result. Do you cut your border fabrics the length of your fabric rather than crosswise?
Posted by: Karen Beigh | June 08, 2009 at 01:23 PM
Both of your quilts are gorgeous! Love, Love, Love Opening Day!
Posted by: Carol | June 08, 2009 at 02:40 PM
Nicole I dont know How do these quilts so quick I am trying my first full sized quilt and it is taking me forever I love both the quilts.
Hugs Mary.
Posted by: Nanna mary | June 08, 2009 at 04:41 PM
I was going to share the border thing....measuring your quilt across the middle, etc. But someone else has. It's a sure-fire way to square up your quilts.
Love the Opening Day quilt. Everything about it...the pattern, the colors. I just love it. Must add this pattern to my list quilts to make someday.
We've been having glorious weather here in SE Alaska. 70's and low 80's. Nice ocean breezes. I love days like this. Warm and sunny, but not hot.
Keep up the great quilting. You amaze me at how productive you are. When do you sleep?
Posted by: Allyson in Alaska | June 08, 2009 at 04:45 PM
Oh the quilts are gorgeous! And I just happen to have a nice bundle of Glace' just waiting for the perfect project! I may have to do that beautimus Opening Day!!!! Thanks for the suggestion! :o)
Posted by: Kim | June 08, 2009 at 06:25 PM
Absolutely beautiful fabric choices, for both of them. What a great eye you have! Thanks for sharing. It has been May Gray and June Gloom here too in So Calif---I work closer to the beach but come about 5-6 miles inland to home, so its often sunny at my house and I really like that. I don't know why people insist on thinking the beach in California is tropical this time of year! Even in San Diego it can turn cold and foggy and windy at the drop of a hat. A sweatshirt is a necessity, maybe even a neck scarf! Wait til August or September for that hot beach weather....
Posted by: AnnieO | June 08, 2009 at 08:12 PM
Love both the quilts Nicole, but Opening Day really jumped out at me!! I love stars, and flying geese, it's definitely a winner! And you can just blow that gloomy weather eastwards to the Phoenix area, cuz that's my favorite kind of day!! And if there is a little rain hanging out over there, you can send it this way too!
Posted by: Debbie | June 08, 2009 at 09:30 PM
Ohhh I love that location where you work.. what a great shopping center. Frankie worked at Tumi for a while. I love to walk around there.
Love your quilts. I have the border problem sometimes for obvious reason. Last time I wondered if perhaps I didn't get my fabric folded straight for cutting, so my piece was slightly bowed and I didn't notice it. Maybe its just one of life's mysteries.
Posted by: pam | June 08, 2009 at 11:18 PM
I really love these two quilts. Thanks for sharing!
Rebecca
Posted by: rebecca ogilvie | June 09, 2009 at 06:18 AM
Love Love LOVE your Opening Day quilt!
Hang in there - Summer will be here soon. The days have been mild here too for the beginning of June. Hot days are just around the corner.
Posted by: DebS in CA | June 09, 2009 at 09:05 AM
Hi Nicole,
The quilts are looking beautiful...I am not a fan of binding either...i have trouble getting mitres right and so I procrastinate :P Roman holiday is one of my favourite collections. I am making a bag (http://buttonberry.typepad.com/photos/charm_pack_tote/charmtote_pattern_image_final.html) using Roman Holiday charm squares, as well as some fabric that I picked up from our local craft store. I'll have to show you some photos when I'm done. I love seeing all your quilts in all their different stages of completion...beautiful work!
Lots of quilty blessings,
Laurey
Posted by: Laurey | June 10, 2009 at 04:52 AM