A fellow quilting blogger recently asked the question "At what point in your quilt construction do you get bogged down?" There were plenty of different answers. Some folks let their quilts sit for months before they get the bindings sewn on. Others love making the blocks, but hate the lay out and row construction.
I have been guilty of many delaying tactics, but I have to say, my issue is borders. I love getting those quilt tops together, and then I set them aside for a little rest. Borders are boring. Or they can be, I suppose. I had a bit of a look around the sewing room last week and discovered I had a fair number of borderless quilt tops still waiting for that final step before they go off to the quilters. I had my work cut out for me, but I made the most of this wonderful four day weekend. Aside from Thanksgiving Day, I barely left my Bernina.
Here is my completed blue and white quilt. Please don't tell me you see a block turned the wrong way around. It would be cruel at this point. My gosh, I had trouble with this lay out. I think it might have been easier if I had used blues all in the same tone. I still like the effect though.
This is Birdseye, with its final border. I will be so happy to get this one back from the quilter so I can start using it. This quilt just says "Autumn" like no other.
Remember Prairie Paisley? This poor thing has been waiting so long for its borders. Once I get this one back from the quilter, I will display it from Memorial Day to Fourth of July.
And finally, Woo Hoo! I am so proud of this one. Flowers for Clara, complete with machine appliqued borders! This is one huge quilt. I couldn't get back far enough to fit it all into my camera lens! I practically had to go outside and take the picture looking in the window.
I made it just as the pattern showed, but am thinking it would be cool to put the applique motif in all four corners, and not just two of them. Besides, I was having myself a good time once I got into the applique thing. Now, I can't stop! I am going to be putting appliques on everything.
If you have not done much machine applique, please reconsider. Start small, with dish towels to give as holiday gifts, or baby bibs, or aprons. Once you start with applique you will love it. Applique adds such a special touch to a quilt, I hope you will give it a try. I felt like a little girl again, cutting out paper dolls. My teachers always did say I had good scissor skills...
I kept referring to Barbara Brandeburg's wonderful tutorial, and it made all the difference. She shows you how to trace the shapes onto fusible interfacing, how to iron them onto the applique pieces, and what stitches to use to sew them down. Her pictures are great and she makes it look easy. Shoot, it WAS easy! I only goofed up once and ironed my interfacing to the right side of the fabric instead of the wrong side, but it was ok, I had extra fabric.
So now that I have four quilts finally off my "Finish It" list, I can buckle down on my Red and White Snowball quilt. What a good feeling to get these done!
What a wonderfully productive weekend you had!! They're all beautiful, and I love your new banner as well. What pattern is it? You're always an inspiration.
Posted by: Nan S. | November 30, 2009 at 05:19 AM
beautiful quilts
love and hugs Gina xxx
Posted by: gina | November 30, 2009 at 05:29 AM
Everything about this post is wonderful but this made me light up with joy for you, this feeling:
---Besides, I was having myself a good time once I got into the applique thing. Now, I can't stop! I am going to be putting appliques on everything.----
It feels good to read about the real good feelings that quilting brings out. These posts are special moments, good for the soul and (for me at least) they put a spring in my step.
Posted by: *karendianne. | November 30, 2009 at 05:34 AM
I really love your birdseye quilt, it is just stunning.
Posted by: badlands quilts | November 30, 2009 at 05:35 AM
What wonderful finishes to your quilt tops. It would be hard to pick a favorite of these. The blue & white would look good in my bedroom but the Birdseye is in the color range I love. I never purchased any of the Prairie Paisley fabrics but loved them right from the start.
Posted by: Karen Beigh | November 30, 2009 at 05:42 AM
Woo hoo... you had a very productive weekend. YGG! All the quilt tops are wonderful, but the Birdseye quilt is my favorite.
Posted by: Laurie in Iowa | November 30, 2009 at 06:12 AM
Wow! You are a machine!!! I love the quilts, especially the red, white and blue.
Posted by: Lori | November 30, 2009 at 06:38 AM
Wow Nicole, you did an amazing job on those quilts-- they are just beautiful! I think you're right about applique on all 4 corners of the last one. Thanks for the Monday morning inspiration!
Posted by: Sinta | November 30, 2009 at 06:43 AM
Wow, those quilts just look great. I especially love Birdseye. Congrats on so many finishes!
Posted by: Jennifer | November 30, 2009 at 06:50 AM
I love your quilt tops. . . .now I can't wait to see how they come back from the quilter.
I'm glad that someone finishes things. . .gives me hope! he he he
Posted by: Sherry V. | November 30, 2009 at 06:55 AM
Congratulations on your completed tops! Way to go! I especially love Birdseye and Flowers for Clara. The colors are superb! Can't wait to see them all quilted, too! :o)
Posted by: Suzy | November 30, 2009 at 07:00 AM
One more beautiful than the other. I especially love the Prairie Paisley.
Posted by: dee | November 30, 2009 at 07:06 AM
Wow, you are awesome! I am proud of you for finishing all of the borders on these tops, that is so cool :) You did a beautiful job on all of them.
I always "stop" when I finish the top. Pinning them and quilting them is what takes me forever to get to, it's a lot of work, but so worth it in the end.
Posted by: Heather | November 30, 2009 at 07:14 AM
Wow, woman! You've been busy. The quilts are lovely. Thanks for sharing. Me, I get bogged down when it's time to quilt. Even though I don't even quilt most of them, it seems I just have a hard time getting them to the quilter. I sort of lose interest unless I'm making them for a certain purpose and they have to get done.
Posted by: Susan Ramey Cleveland | November 30, 2009 at 07:20 AM
Your post photos make me all the more excited about quilting. Gorgeous...simply put each one is gorgeous!!
Posted by: Mary Flynn | November 30, 2009 at 07:20 AM
My goodness, you do get a lot done! I had a house full of company all weekend, no quilting for me. It was wonderful to relax and spend lots of time with loved ones though. Back to stitchin' today! :~)
Posted by: Julia | November 30, 2009 at 07:23 AM
sounds like you had the perfect weekend with Bernie :) Love all of your finishes - especially BIRDSEYE - which I had printed out but will have to reprint with the updated photo! I am so going to search for some fall fabrics to use for setting and borders and get busy with my mini 9 patches making a quilt like yours next summer so it will be ready by fall! ;)
and that last one is interesting too - love the secondary design that the blocks make - what's their finished size? 8" blocks?
Love from Texas! ~bonnie
Posted by: bingo-bonnie | November 30, 2009 at 08:06 AM
Wow! What a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend you had...all those great finishes! Borders are my stumbling block as well! I've loved machine applique' ever since taking a class from Terri Christopherson (Barbara Brandeburg's sister)...I can't believe I didn't do machine applique for years!
Posted by: sherri | November 30, 2009 at 08:14 AM
Good going! I especially love the blue! It is looking good, that setting really works.
They're all wonderful! Congrats on getting Clara done, that one looked like it would take some effort. The applique is great, I've really gotten into it too.
Posted by: Cara | November 30, 2009 at 08:20 AM
Beeeutifullll borders - especially the applique! I LOVE doing borders - a good one will bring the quilt up another few notches!
You have a BUNCH of beauties!
Posted by: Elaine Aair | November 30, 2009 at 08:25 AM
Great job! They are all wonderful, but I think I like Flowers for Clara the best.
Posted by: Rita | November 30, 2009 at 08:31 AM
I usually stall about 3/4's of the way into a project and then when the top is done, stall again on the borders. It's silly, really because once the borders are on I usually ask myself 'why'? The borders are so simple to do and I don't know why I stall, but I just do.
Lovely finishes and pretty soon you will have them all quilted up to enjoy. I would put the extra applique on Flowers for Clara and since you are a pro now at doing the applique, the extra work will be so worth it.
Posted by: Rose Marie | November 30, 2009 at 08:41 AM
Mine is borders, also. I have a number that just need them put on. Why do I put it off? I don't know.
Question: When you cut your borders did you cut them slightly larger to account for the applique process? Did you applique and then sew the borders on? Inquiring minds want to know!!!
Posted by: Miss Jean | November 30, 2009 at 09:59 AM
Oh wow you really have been a busy bee. They all look beautifull. Love your applique borders too.
Posted by: Judith | November 30, 2009 at 10:05 AM
Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow! Beautiful quilts! My stall is cutting, especially if the quilt has lots of little pieces. I usually cut out 2-3 quilts at time.
Posted by: Joy P | November 30, 2009 at 10:19 AM