This has been a long time coming. I finally got Moda BlockHeads 1 finished. My big hold up was the borders. I wanted to do something fancy and different for the borders, and had an idea to add a flying geese border, then an outer border or two. I made a gazillion flying geese and started attaching them as a border. And it looked like this:
Do you see how rippley that is? Honestly, I looked at that hanging over my balcony railing for months not sure what to do about it. So I finally took it off. There is so much going on with all those sampler blocks that I decided to keep the border much more simple and be done with it.
I did cut strips from my leftover fatquarters and made a scrappy inner border, then added a plain outer border of light background fabric.
All in all, I am satisfied. Gosh, it was such a fun project to do. I used a very large assortment of Kansas Troubles fabrics for the quilt top. There are 60 six-inch blocks, plus one center applique block (which is the size of four 6" blocks). The top is around 71" square. Whew, those blocks represent a lot of hours of work!
Now for the quilting. I always send my quilts out to be professionally quilted and typically opt for an all-over quilting design. So, you long arm quilters out there, answer a question for me if you will: The applique blocks are a little stiffer because of the fusible interfacing. Is that a problem when doing an all-over quilting design?
Hope you all had a lovely weekend!
Looks great. I am not even sure what I have done with my blocks!!!!
Posted by: Teresa Justice | July 13, 2020 at 04:47 AM
I love the way you finished it. The flying geese distracted from the blocks. Now I can't wait to see what you create from those flying geese.
Stay well
SSS
Posted by: Sue Slater | July 13, 2020 at 06:16 AM
You definitely made the right choice! As for longarming, I never had a problem going through fusible appliques with an all over design, it shouldn't be a problem for your longarmer!
Posted by: Carolyn | July 13, 2020 at 06:52 AM
It turned out beautifully. I'm intrigued by the inner border with fabric scraps - interesting. I'm curious - are the scraps the same size or random lengths?
Posted by: Linda Kay Smith | July 13, 2020 at 07:11 AM
Beautiful quilt - that center applique is a great idea and so fitting for KT fabrics. They always make me think of fall!
Posted by: Sandy Carlson | July 13, 2020 at 07:48 AM
Love the finish! It would have driven you crazy to try to do all those geese. Can't wait to see all the quilting done. Big quilts are so expensive to quilt but nearly impossible to do yourself with any alacrity.
Posted by: AnnieO in SoCalif | July 13, 2020 at 08:07 AM
Absolutely gorgeous!
Posted by: Gwen | July 13, 2020 at 08:14 AM
The scrappy inner border is such a creative idea! The flying geese are nice, but too much with the sampler blocks, in my opinion. The blocks need to be the 'stars of the show'! Have a good week! Stay well!
Posted by: Jan | July 13, 2020 at 08:15 AM
Wonderful job! That is a BIG finish for sure. It looks great.
Mary
Posted by: Mary Kastner | July 13, 2020 at 08:24 AM
Beautiful!! And your simple border treatment is perfect. Congratulations on a stunning finish!
Posted by: Debbie R. | July 13, 2020 at 08:34 AM
What fusing do you use? I use Soft Fuse and you can’t even tell it’s there when you quilt it. Quilter’s Select by Alex Anderson is supposed to have a light one as well, although I haven’t used it. Beautiful quilt!!
Posted by: Jean Thut | July 13, 2020 at 09:19 AM
So beautiful. Glad you went to a simple border. The flying geese were distracting from all the lovely blocks. Congratulations on your finish.
Posted by: Dusty Huxford | July 13, 2020 at 09:55 AM
O.M.G. It is gorgeous. Definitely needs professional quilting. It would absolutely kill you to try to do on your home machine.
Besides, by shipping it off it will really feel like a finish. ;p I have 2 to give to my quilter. It always feels good to hand it off.
Posted by: Ina | July 13, 2020 at 10:47 AM
very satisfying to have a long term project finished...looks wonderful
Posted by: Julie | July 13, 2020 at 02:39 PM
Your BlockHeads 1 is gorgeous! I am by no means a professional quilter but I do own and use a quilter. I didn't have any problems quilting an applique quilt. I certainly don't blame you for wanting to send this off. I quilted a 120"x120" on my Sweet Sixteen Handi Quilter and have decided anything larger than 60" would be sent out. I thought my arms were going to break off by the time I was done with it! I love my machine but I just can't wrestle all that weight.
Posted by: Debra | July 13, 2020 at 11:53 PM
Beautiful finish and must feel great to have this all put together. Really like your border and a very pleasant finish to this top. Great quilt and now just the binding left!
Posted by: gailss1 | July 14, 2020 at 03:50 AM
This came out gorgeous!How happy you must be to have it finished!
Posted by: Anita | July 14, 2020 at 10:50 PM
Absolutely gorgeous and you finished it! 5 Stars to you!
Posted by: gloria friedrich | July 15, 2020 at 09:45 AM
Great finish and I think the simple borders are a nice compliment for the quilt. The long arm shouldn’t have any trouble going over the appliqué. I’ve done a few on mine and the biggest challenge is not “lifting up” the edges when it is raw edge appliqué. Congratulations on your finish!
Posted by: Jennifer in Indy | July 18, 2020 at 06:42 AM