Thursday, May 20, 2010

Quilt as desired

The applique is on hold this week and as the weather has turned cooler, I've been quilting my Licorice Allsorts quilt. I'm on the last round before the borders and got stumped as to what to do there.
I usually decide on the quilting designs as I'm making a quilt but had no idea what to do for the borders. How do you decide on the quilting design?
I looked at the square shapes inside the quilt top.
I looked at the curves.
I just couldn't come up with something so I turned to my trusty book.
Perfect! The old Amish pattern echoes the shapes and will give about the same density of quilting. The interlocking circles can also be changed in size and the melon shapes are echoed. Best yet, it's easy to draw and easy to stitch.
These circle templates are the bomb, I use them so often for all sorts of things.
I can't turn the corners the same on each side so I'm just going to say that this is no competition quilt and I'm channeling Gwen Marston and not being precious about it. There's a little girl waiting for this quilt so I'm hoping to have it finished by the end of the month.
If you'd love to win a little wool project, get yourself over to Soggy Bottom Flats to enter Elaines giveaway. You only have until Friday 21st. Say I sent you and if I win, you'll get one too. Pass it on.

39 comments:

Abby and Stephanie said...

Absolutely love it. I have not hand quilted in years. I currently have a partially hand quilted 1930s reproduction project that I haven't touched in at least 8 years.

Unknown said...

This is going to be gorgeous when it is complete!! I am totally jealous. I think that I will have to make one too. Your quilting is going enhance it!

wishes, true and kind said...

Your quilt is beautiful, and so is the basket of perle cottons(?) next to it! Yum!

Deb said...

Aw Janet I am so pleased you showed those photos as I oticed you have used the washable blue pen. Now I feel happy about using it on the quilt I want to hand quilt because if you do it, it must be okay.
hugs Deb

Unknown said...

I love this quilt! The big stitch quilting is perfect for it. Where did you find the circle templates? I need some of those!

Anonymous said...

Janet everytime you post on your blog you inspire and teach me something new. I'm so grateful to you as a blogger. Thank you.

I have most definitely gone over to Soggy Bottom Flats and mentioned you. Oh, and I couldn't resist asking her to send some rain this-a-way. We're still so dry in NE central Vic.

Nat Palaskas said...

What a lovely and happy quilt Janet. The circle pattern will goes really well with the designs.
Hugs
Nat

Sharon said...

Love it, I forgot about this one that you have been showing in the past. I'm going to Baptist Fan a quilt, I've marked the first round and after that, I'm going to channel Gwen and just go for it! Can't wait to see yours finished.

Dolly said...

Life is just so much sweeter for me, quilt-wise, if I determine my quilting design as I design my quilt. So many times I've reached a point like you did, where I'm stymied by what to quilt, and the quilt sits and waits for inspiration.

Unfortunately, alot of times I fall back on the stencils I have been using for YEARS ! I ran across a deal once where you got 20 block stencils and 20 borders stencils in a package for a great price, and they have served me well. Machine-quilting is really changing all that, though.

Those circles are a great idea.....so many possibilities !

Kim D. said...

Love your quilt and I'm sure the little girl who receives it will cherish it also. Happy stitching!!

Anonymous said...

This quilt is GORGEOUS.... I love all the different fabrics.

I don't work well designing as I go. I am goal-oriented and visual. So I have to know how the quilt will look like when finished before I start...

Corrie said...

looking very beautiful, love the colours! i have lots of those templates and just love them! I use them on my applique for kids clothes!!!

Corrie:)

Andi said...

Your quilt is a stunner!!

Nedra said...

I'm just jealous that you have finished Kaffe's Pickle Dish (mine sits in pieces), let alone that you are HAND QUILTING it! A real stunner!

Janet said...

Beautiful!! I love the quilting you're doing on this. I'm terrible for not planning ahead when it comes to the quilting and I get stuck all the time. For me its part of the fun. :0) That Encyclopedia looks like an excellent resource!

Shirley said...

Sometimes simple is best and what you have chosen looks good to me. I never finish enough quilts and I guess it is because I get stumped for inspiration on the quilting front. It will be well received whatever you decide to do and my friend has a saying - better finished than perfect.
Shirley.

Marit said...

Janet, I try to find inspiration for the quilting design from books and blogs. Sometimes the design of the top makes it easy, and sometimes not. You are such an inspiration, love the quilting design you are using here. In fact, yesterday I bought my first balls of perle no 16 to try handquilting my own Kaffe top. Looking at these pictures is a big inspiration. (The quilting will be very simple, straight lines - I'm a complete beginner in handquilting compared to you.)

Enjoy holding, admiring and stitching your beautiful quilt!

p.s. What batting are you using?

antique quilter said...

great book! Gwen Marston has a quilting design book too that I love as well and refer to frequently as well.

She is going to be so excited to get this quilt...
keep going!
Kathie

RG said...

Gosh Janet, this is looking so fantastic!
I just want to sit here and look at this and get up closer to see your lovely stitching, then reach through the window and touch that marvelous quilt.
You're one inspiring chick!!
Thanks for the hints and tips on the templates, book etc.
Keep up the fab work.

hugs Robyn xx

Sue-Anne said...

I love that quilt Janet, there are so many wonderful fabrics in there. I think the quilting pattern you chose is perfect for the border.

Sujata Shah said...

Janet,

Your quilt is looking gorgeous! Your blog is always full of information for quilters like me! Thank you for being such an inspiration! Can't wait to see more of this quilt when it is done!

alobsiger said...

Looking wonderful, Janet! Great choice for border quilting!! I love that book -- so glad to own it!

Angela said...

Your quilting is amazing! I am sure the little girl waiting for it will be thrilled! :o)

Lori said...

It's looking great Janet!!
I refer to books frequently when trying to get quilting ideas. The one you show looks really good.
Almost done! Woo-Hoo!

Crispy said...

Excellent choice Janet. This is one VERY lucky little girl.

Crispy

Kath said...

Oh Janet, i did smile when i read the title of this post. I made a crazy quilt top and being told, there was no wrong way to quilt it, I "quilted as desired". trouble is, now I have finished it, I don't desire it anymore :D
I do love yours tho, the colours are delicious.

imquilternity said...

I just love that quilt and the quilting is making it come alive. I think your idea is just perfect. What a lucky little girl! I hope she knows what a wonderful gift she's getting.

Eleanor said...

Came across your blog, and wanted to say how much I loved your hand quilting! You've definitely inspired me to have a go.

Kaaren said...

Every time I see your Licorice Alsorts quilt, Janet, it makes me smile. I just love all the colors and it will be a perfect gift for that perfect little gal.

Nanette Merrill said...

Love love it. I can't wait until mine is at this point.

Anonymous said...

This going to be one gorgeous quilt. What a great book. I don't think I've ever seen it. I might have to go looking for it. The circles are great too. I have the something similar in The Perfect Circles which I can use for applique as well as templates. How long do you think it will take you to finish Janet? Or is that a "how long is a piece of string" question?

sharon said...

The quilt is beautiful! I am still trying to find that quilting book! It's out of print, my search has been going on for 3 years! Sharonj.

Cathi said...

Your quilt is gorgeous -- I love how you've decided to quilt it!

Cubby House Crafts said...

I just love your quilt and your lovely hand quilting...which I am just about to have a go at! I didn't realize everyone has a different take on handquilting from which way to work to type of frame, and then the thimbles!lol!...but only hoping my hand quilting is as neat as yours!
Lisa

Cathy @ CabbageQuilts said...

I adore your Licorice Allsorts quilt, your handquilting will really set it off perfectly. You are amazing xo

Ann Ferguson said...

This quilt is looking absolutely superb - so yummy you could eat it! Ann :)

Deb said...

I just love this quilt - and the backing looks perfect. Your box of coloured threads is making my fingers itchy to get back to something contemporary.

Alice said...

Most of my quilt tops are unfinished because I simply don't know what to quilt on them.

Most of my quilt books have full size quilt photos only. I only just recently discovered that I can make out the quilting on some of them if I use a magnifying glass.

Blogs, like yours, have really helped my quilting because you show the designs close up (and how to mark them).

I usually use something out of the toybox to mark my circles:)

Jan said...

This is such a wonderful quilt, Janet! I don't know how you could part with it, even if it is for a little loved one. (Well, yes, I guess I actually do...)
The circle template set looks like it would be invaluable!