Update finally!

I have had a rather busy week and just haven't taken time to post any blog entries.  Tonight I have been working on re-sizing my photos for my blog and now just finished so guess it is time to post something.

Tonight I will show you the places I have to rip out on the flower basket.  This of course has not been done yet but it is next on my "to do" list.









The echo quilting is going to be about 1/8" apart on the outside of the swag border and after the first row was finished I noticed that the top loop of the feather quilting on the top and bottom of the quilt are obviously too close.  I will be ripping the last loop and making the space more even and more if needed to make it look symmetrical.

The basket quilt has been on hold the last week as I worked on another project but am anxious to work on it again.  Will fill you in tomorrow about what occupied my time this last week.

So long for tonight,

Lynn

Part Two - Feathers

 I approached the border feathered units the same way I did the inside feathers. The only difference was I cut myself a template to mark the curves of the spine of the feather. I used the same curve for both the shorter side and the longer side. The long side is about 3/4" longer than the short side. I just adjusted each segment a tiny bit - you can't even see the difference but it takes up that extra length to make the design flow.

 

Uh-Oh...The Big Mistake!

As you can see from the first photo on this blog entry I goofed a little when I transferred my measurements to the paper for the short side so just marked it with slashes and moved ahead. I then made a mistake on the long side too....was watching my favorite college football team and got distracted. (American football and of course the team is the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers!) I did have to start over on it since my corner design was just not in the corner. How did I do that for pity sakes?






This last photo is the finished border feathers...now to get them all marked onto the quilt

Lynn

OK - Feathers It Is

I love quilting feathers!!! This quilt will have mini feathers in two places for that very reason. One place they will be is inside the borders and another  is on the outside border.

Here is how I drew the feathered undulating lines to fit the inside spaces. First I measured the length and width of the section where I wanted the feathers to go. I transferred those measurements to paper and then divided the lengths into segments and drew smooth curves to make the center undulating line of the feathers. I wanted to make a fancy transition on the sides where the feathers meet so drew feathered designs to fit those spaces. On this small corner I just eyeballed and free hand drew the curves and the feathers trying to make a smooth transition between each feather. I just drew one corner then marked each of the quilt corners with this one design.  Everything is first drawn in pencil then I go over the drawing with a marker.  The darker lines will all show with my makeshift light box.

To transfer the design to the quilt I place a light on the shelf that my sewing machine sits on in the cabinet. The surface around the machine is a clear plastic so I just tape down my design then tape the quilt over the design in the proper position and trace the design onto the quilt.  If this were a larger quilt this space would be too small but for a miniature this is a big enough "light box."

Tomorrow the other feathered border.

Lynn

Split Nine Patch - Hippo Trails

Here is the finished Split 9 Patch quilt I have been working on since last fall.  It is all machine stitched except the back of the binding which I finished hand stitching down on Saturday night.  It's name is "Hippo Trails" and is 53" x 64" - a lap quilt size for covering up on the couch.













I did do a feather design in the outside border - guess I have a one track mind and I can do feathers pretty easily so went with what works.

Now I know you are all are wondering how I got that name but if you look at the backing you might figure it out.  Look carefully at one of the fabrics on the left side towards the top - yes it has hippopotamus on it, thus the name.  As you can see I pieced the backing from several different fabrics, wanted to use up some of what I had on hand and these all worked well together I thought.

Got to get busy on another quilt today.  Our guild challenge this year is to use 25 yards of fabric from our stash and that means finished projects.  I am up to 20 yards so pulled another wallhanging top from my UFO box and will try to get it quilted and bound by next Thursday so I can meet the challenge.  You might not hear much from me before then since I will be busy quilting besides the other things that life throws at me.

Lynn