I decided to keep nibbling away at the fifteen year project I showed back in September and this was the last block to be trimmed to size. I haven't been a happy camper about the red buds and almost decided to take them off and replace them with a couple of embroidered bullion knots. My motto is to give anything a try and not be so defeatist but really it's the perfectionist, tenacious part of my personality that takes over and I don't say that with pride. It can be a curse.
I would say that my applique has improved since stitching these so I thought I would have another go and leave the bullion stitches for plan B. This is the smallest bud with about an 1/8" seam allowance and I used Floriani Stitch N Wash which was fused to the back of the fabric as a template to be left in.
From that point, I needle turned the seam and the Floriani gave me an edge to do that. If there was a little peak, I would scoot back over to it and do an extra stitch to roll it under.
I'm so glad I did that, this is much more to my liking.
The block and I are happier for that extra effort.
I'm still making half square triangles for the sashing and I had a pressing plan so that the background would be free of the seams. See how the red fabric peeks out of the seam on the bottom? Not good.
I trimmed the red seam smaller so there will be no shadowing on the quilt.
This is much better and that bit of extra work will be worth it. I was always encouraged to do my best and for this quilt I think it's deserving of that. I think one of my quilting goals for the next year is to remember to take care of the details when it's warranted. We all have our own personal standards don't you think? Some quilts just need that extra bit of love.
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59 comments:
Oh wow, that's TINY! I am very impressed!
You are amazing, Janet, but your determination paid off. Such beautiful little buds! LoL, when I first saw the picture, I thought it was an ingenious bandaid...
:-}pokey
Your applique buds are amazing! They are so small and you did a wonderful job with them. Project is beautiful.
Janet, those little pieces are really tiny! I am so impressed with your fortitude, but more so with your talent. Wow!! It is just gorgeous. And you are right the block is beautiful. I would be just like you and also trim back the red. We must have the same personality type. This quilt is going to be phenomenal.
Your tiny little flower buds look wonderful! I'm a perfectionist too, but also a realist. Sometimes good enough just has to be good enough! LOL
I know what you mean, when I did my Florence Peto Calico Garden quilt I had these little appliques to do and found reducing the seam allowance and making smaller stitches really did the job.
It is a wonderful block, glad you are working on it I am sure it will be another stunning quilt.
cheers
Christine
Beautiful Block... You have Patience My Dear that's for Sure!
cheers
You do beautiful work. Im fussy too and i would and will redo something till it is right . If i was to do something like that i would cut out a cardboard template add a tad short of a 1/4 inch and do a running stitch and pull it up around the template and iron it :)
OOO, those are some tiny pieces you did. The new buds definitely do have smoother edges. Well done.
Absolutely stunning work , Janet. Your perfectionism and tenacity have paid off!
Congratulations on those wonderful fussy cut leaves too!
Yes, some quilts need the extra bit of love! :)
Those pieces are so teeny tiny!! You really are an appliquer extraordinaire. I think it's great you're working on this project again - you've put a ton of work into it already - it will be an incredible quilt one day.
What a beautiful block and a good solution to getting those little dots appliqued on.
I am so impressed with your little rose buds. I want to go try that, though I don't know if I will do as well. Your quilt is going to be so amazing.
I hope you have either very good eyes or good glasses. You need them for this exquisite work, I warrant. Love the idea of using those small "wash away" templates. I will have to try that out myself one of these days. Happy sewing. Vreni
That's lovely Janet. Your applique buds look great.
You're right- some quilts need a little extra love! This is so beautiful! You should be very proud of it and worth every moment spent on it over the last 15 years! An A+ for perseverance!
Stunning Janet - a masterpiece in the works here! K
I'm another pedantic soul...can't stand to let things beat me, I will unpick till I get it right....a quilt like this is worthy of making sure it will be as good as you can get it...your applique is lovely...
Those little buds are tiny!! i'm impressed! I like what you said about your goal of taking care of the details.
Your work amazes and inspires me. Keep sharing and yes, it is beautiful and delicate and adds jusst that something that is not so much needed as wanted to reflect your love for the art of quilting.
YIKES! That IS tiny, but oh-so beautiful... I agree with you, if we can try to do a better job, we should! And in this case: wow! It paid off, didn't it Janet! You can be very proud! and that floriani tip is an excellent one!
xox
V.
OMG Janet those buds are amazing...they are the tiniest things...your work is incredible.
I agree with Valentina, so tiny! Janet, how can you improve on your applique may I ask haha! Lovely quilt and I like the hst sashing. How is your finger? Hugs Nat
Oh yes, it was worth the effort...this one deserves that little bit more care, though I think your work is always the very best Janet..
This is going to being an award quilt for sure..
Julia ♥
Those are some TINY buds...awesome! I learned the painful way about trimming those dark seams...I just got one back from the quilter that I didn't do that on, and I was disapponted to see a shadow in a few places.
In stitches,
Teresa :o)
I constantly learn from you - love the tiny buds!
I'm in drop jaw shock at how small those are. Speechless.
I too do the trimming inside seams where there may be shadowing. So worth it.
I also recently purchases the tiny hook to reach in for wayward dark threads - do you have that? its a great tool!
Wonderful work Janet. Your appliquet is beautiful...what tiny pieces...you are handsewing?
Awww Janet you are my hero!! The extra effort on those teeny weeny buds really shines through on this beautiful block!! I was impressed with myself because I made one 1/8th inch circle....all those little buds....WOW!!
Crispy
It's a delight to see your perfectionism at work. Such tiny, tiny pieces of applique!
You are amazing!!! I can't believe your buds turned out so perfect!! Yes, this quilt needs the extra time and effort. It's an heirloom!!
Wow! You're amazing! Those little buds are TINY and PERFECT!
I can relate to the perfectionist tendencies, Janet.... Very worth the redo, imho~!
How's the finger?
Stttt, did you hear anything?? No?? Bet you didn't, I am lost for words!!! Pfffff, sooooo great!!!! or should I say tiny!!! Very much impressed here!!! Happy sewing, Daniëlle PS never heard of floriani here in Holland.
Your redo of the tiny buds looks fantastic! The effect is so much nicer than embroidery would have been?
I had to add eyes to the chickens I did in a quilt once. It hung in a show, and it was funny to stand back and see people inspecting them and asking each other "how in the world did she do those eyes?" LOL
Add me to the perfectionist list too. If it's worth doing...it's worth doing right! ;)
Very beautiful Those are tiny buds, wow. And yes, you set your owns standards and work to that level, I agree.
Rather it's a curse or not...your work is perfection, stunning, and I can't believe how small the fiddly bits are stitched so perfectly. GORGEOUS!
Janet you have the patience of a saint. As my son would say "respect!" :-D
When you redid them I could see a big difference. Is the Floriani stiff at all? The water soluble I have is too soft to feel and I'd love to find something in the stores here that would work like this.
Good work finding the right product to help you with those tiny buds. They really did turn out beautiful! Lovely, inspiring work!
It looks great. For me it depends on the quilt and the amount of time I am spending on it. Most of the time I enjoy challenging myself. If I am making a machine pieced and machine quilted quilt to be used in the family room then I do not go to the lengths I would for some of my other quilts.
Thanks for the reminder and example of detail work. I think I have become a little sloppy in my quilt assembly because I am in such a hurry with the small amount of quilting time I have. I am then disappointed in the final outcome. Quality work is much more satisfying than multiple projects completed.
I, too, am impressed with the size of the buds - beautiful work. The block is absolutely gorgeous.
Love that you not only didn't give up but that you also did your very best--it shows. Lovely work.
I thought I was a perfectionist, but I don't think I would meet your standards. Your little buds are awesome. I think I would have given up and done an embroidery satin stitch in its place. Your buds are absolutely perfect.
I am impressed! If you ever teach a course on applique - let me know.
Just gorgeous - the extra effort really paid off, and is definitely time well spent! What a beautiful block!
The block looks fab, Janet! Glad you have taken up this project again. I'll have to try your little trick on those tiny pieces. I've never heard of that product before.
oh Janet, I've never ever been good with teeny tiny. So I admire precision and tiny so much. You're fabulous.
Just exquisite!
Thanks for sharing that because it's a beautiful thing to behold.
rainey
Oh my, Janet - you do amazing work! I am inspired!!!
This is "precisely" why I visit your blog EVERYDAY. This is my first post here. I just want you to know how your work feeds my creative juices!! Your work is magnificent! from unknown friend in Canada.
I just used your tutorial for the little purse and I love it! Since I'm not a quilter, I noticed the attention to details and each one made the bag so much better. Thank you for posting waaaay back in March. My niece will love the bag.
I'm impressed! your work is very nice. Your Hardangersøm looks nice, I love to stich Hardangersøm myself.
Now, I'm impressed! I would have called it a day and embroidered those small pieces. Bravo to you for finding a way that worked for you. BTW .... gorgeous block!!
I am so in awe of your applique! Always have been. Those tiny buds are so wonderful.
And here I was thinking those first buds looked lovely-- then you went and did them even better. Wow!!! Do you use the Floriani often in your applique?
Your precision is definitely going to pay off. Good for you for taking the time to attend to all those details!
Janet, you are truly an inspiration. I recently tried one tiny leaf on a miniature pattern and just decided it was impossible. Seeing your beautiful red buds makes me want to try again.
quiltfever.wordpress.com
Some quilts are definitely worth the extra effort. This one is very special...
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