36" x 48"
I started this top last week when Randy came over to sew. It's small so the top did not take long and since I was on a roll with this 'Finsh 'um up' thing; I did!
I know it seems kind of small for a donation quilt but this one will be donated to the Lap Quilts for Wheel Chair Bound Vets project. This is the size they suggest.
I quilted this very simply by quilting X's in each patch,
but since some of them were rectangles and some squares it made this interesting pattern on the back. I kinda like it!
I quilted this free hand on my long arm thus the squiggly lines. Straight lines take a ruler or fence and a lot of time but I can quilt this style free hand, it looks pretty good and it does not take much time at all.I finished this top in July while visiting Randy and Lori before the Sister's show. I got it quilted straight away after I got home and then stalled out on the binding!
50" x 57"
What is it about bindings that make it so tedious?! Do you have that problem? I sure do!
Well I got a machine binding on it and done...finally! I use this lovely floral flannel for the backing. I really like to use flannel backings, makes a quilt so much cozier!
45" x 55" (after washing)
Next up; is this yarn dyed bar quilt, which I started Before Sister's, finished the top in July where it got stalled out in the 'waiting to be quilted stage'! It's a wonder I get anything done the way I stall out! LOL
I washed this one after I finished it and I was shocked at how much it shrank! I am going to have to rethink my no wash-before-sewing policy on these yarn dyed fabs! I think it shrank at least 2-3 inches in each direction! I will say these particular fabs were not the best quality = loosely woven. That should have been my clue!
These quilts were all machine bound. I've been experimenting with different ways to do this for a while. What's you favorite Machine binding technique? Back to front, front to back etc?
Have a great rest of your week!
Cheers, CW
Re binding: machine to front, hand stitch to back, but the first quilt I made was machined to the back, brought to the front and stitched by machine again, and worked really well, so I don't know why I never did it again! I love your check/plaid quilts - they are beautiful in their simplicity.
ReplyDeletewell you certainly caugh up on all the finishing
ReplyDeleteI don't think I have a prefered machien bidning method - the one tiem I did it I used a sort of hmm "fancy" stitch, can't remember what it was sort of flowerish or maybe it was irregular zig-zag but only going to the right like grass or so? welll I thought if I have to have stitches showing on the binding (because they always show) then I will just make them part of the design.
Else I take hours talking myself into sewing the bidnign to the back, of course I coudl probably sew on yeveral meters of bidning in the time I try to find reasons why I can't do it at that moment.
I like the first and the alst quilt - the middle one with the many florals not so much, but then I do not need to like eerything. I think the first and last appeal to me because of the autumnish colours and the gingham/chessboard fabrics, I feel more "at home" looking at them.
I washed my bluegreenpink one recently and was shocked how little it shrunk - I was hoping for a somehow mor squashed look, maybe I do need to throw them in the dryer after all.
Well I usually end up handbinding because it just looks so neat.
What comes just to mind now - do you know the finished edges of those wool and fleece blankets? with that usually ornamental contrasting blenket stitch looking fancy stitch runnign all the way around. So maybe a knife edge binding, but no hidden hand sewn thing, but simply go along the edge with a fancy stitch ... just if you want to try out some more machien binding varieties
So many finishes, and every one will be appreciated. I like the bold, graphic, geometric look of each one. The shrinkage of flannels and wovens can make me say nasty words now and then. I don't like surprises in my quilting, and unexpected shrinkage is near the top of my list.
ReplyDeleteMost of my quilts have machine applied bindings -- machine stitched to the back, pulled around to the front and machine stitched again. I don't know how my donated quilts will be used or cared for, so I want the bindings secure. Besides, I'm too impatient to hand stitch bindings. I want them done so I can get on to the next quilt.
Nice job Claire. I don't machine bind, so I can't offer any tips.
ReplyDelete