Tuesday, April 17, 2012

learning about borders

I have been busy quilting on the borders of my red and white quilt. I don't think I will have it completely finished in time for the quilt show in May. However, I thought if I could just get the borders finished I could bind it and include it in the special Red and White display they are having this year. The center is mostly done. I still need to add more quilting in the red triangles and squares but at first glance the center has the appearance of being finished :0)
I spent a couple weeks trying to figure out what to quilt in the border. It is just too narrow!! Nothing I wanted to do fit well in the space. The deadline was drawing near and so I went to the local fabric shop and bought a stencil. A design I liked and thought would be dense enough for this quilt. Unfortunately I quilted halfway down one side before I decided it was NOT the right motif for this space.
I decided to drive a little further - on the other side of the city there is a quilt shop that stocks a good selection of quilting stencils. I found this one and am much happier with how it looks. With so many feathers in the center the border looks like it matches better with feathers too. Don't ask me about the corners - lol. I haven't figured out how to turn them yet but... I will.
Somehow I just can't seem to plan ahead with my quilts - projects are always evolving in their own direction. A more organized person would have drawn out the entire quilting design before they started and wouldn't get stuck this way. I was just too excited to get started on the center square. Will I ever change??? Now where is that seam ripper...
Happy Quilting!!

15 comments:

YankeeQuilter said...

I am like you...even if I do try and plan ahead by the time I get to the end I've changed my mind a dozen times!

Dora, the Quilter said...

Oh, Janet, it is absolutely beautiful. I do hope you will be able to get it done in time for the show. It deserves a lot of admirers!

Anonymous said...

It's looking stunning Janet. I like the second choice border pattern too!

fabriquefantastique said...

Fabulous

Miriam said...

Stunning quilting, Janet!!!

I don't plan either.....I change my mind too many times! Lol

Carrie P. said...

OH, too bad you have to rip out quilting. I do like the new border design much better too. It flows with the other design. Good choice. It is so well done.

antique quilter said...

just sooooo beautiful, keep going! I Love this new stencil your using and would love to buy it too, can you give me any info on it?
sometimes just going with what you like and not planning it all out is the better way! keep going!
Kathie

Cheri said...

Janet, It is very pretty and I know it will turn out in the end. The quilt always has a way to talk to us doesn't it and lets us know what it needs. Stunning!
Happy Stitching

Elsie Montgomery said...

Wonderful quilting, Janet! You are wise (and brave) to go with the newer stencil even though it means some ripping. This is heirloom quilting, for sure!

Barb said...

Hi Janet
Sorry you didn't like the border, I actually did. Sometime I just add a little more like a circle or a swoop or a swirl - anyway I think the quilting looks amazing.
As far as turning corning, I always run it off the end like the antique amish quilts.
Gwen has a tab on her website "gwen talks" with a multi-episode on hand quilting - you may find it really interesting.

Lori said...

I work the same way you do- by the seat of my pants usually. I don't like to have everything planned out to the minute detail on a quilt.
I like the second stencil better.

Sew Create It - Jane said...

I love how you chose to do the borders the second time around..it suits the quilt much better than the first one.

Dixie Howard said...

Love how your quilt is turning out - harrah for your hand quilting! I'm a huge advocate of slow and spontaneous quilting. Some of my favorite projects contain "happy accidents". Just gorgeous, Janet.

Dora, the Quilter said...

You've been awarded a "Liebster Award." Please visit my blog to read about it.
Thank you for what you add to the blogging world.

Abby and Stephanie said...

Spectacular quilting!