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Monday, April 18, 2011

The last block.

Last week went by in a blur getting block #25 stitched.. I even burnt the midnight oil one night. It needs a little fix up after washing the block revealed  that the reverse applique on the four buds near the top were not up to scratch. There was so little seam allowance that threads are whispering in the breeze. I'm going to replace those for a lighter green and do one larger reverse applique in the middle. There's a little inking to go on as well.
The block is actually a redo. The one below is the reject and was done way back about the mid 90's when I was just a baby appliquer. I had a colour run and soaked the block in a solution which worked but it bleached out the background.
The applique method I first learnt to do was to thread baste the pieces onto  paper and cut the background out to remove the paper. Messy and time consuming.
This is what the back looks like now that I do needleturn, much better.
Hopefully this week I can find the time to finish all the little details on the blocks and get them sewn together, ooh, excitement!

40 comments:

  1. julieQApril 18, 2011 at 12:02 PM

    How truly beautiful, Janet!! Please tell me you have big plans for the reject...otherwise I must swipe it, LOL!! I can't wait to see the whole quilt together!!

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  2. reganApril 18, 2011 at 12:07 PM

    This block is truly beautiful....and your work is lovely....as usual! Can't wait to see all the blocks together! You're right....it is exciting!

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  3. DarleneApril 18, 2011 at 12:16 PM

    It's beautiful, Janet. Sigh!!!

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  4. JoanApril 18, 2011 at 12:23 PM

    Janet - you do those blocks so beautifully - I am SO looking forward to seeing those all come together - you seem to do them so quickley

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  5. JanetApril 18, 2011 at 12:31 PM

    Wow Janet - it's incredible! You do such beautiful applique. I look forward to seeing how you set these blocks now.

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  6. wishes, true and kindApril 18, 2011 at 12:32 PM

    What an accomplishment! Your work is just beautiful!

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  7. Nat PalaskasApril 18, 2011 at 12:39 PM

    This is just beautiful. No better word to describe it - Hugs Nat

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  8. MimiApril 18, 2011 at 1:29 PM

    That's a beautiful block!

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  9. LisaApril 18, 2011 at 1:39 PM

    I think they both look great Janet! It must feel so good to get the last one done.

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  10. RachaeldaisyApril 18, 2011 at 4:57 PM

    Such beautiful work!!How interesting to see the backs of your blocks. Congratulations on finishing the last block, always a great feeling.

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  11. Sew Create It - JaneApril 18, 2011 at 5:07 PM

    To cut away or not cut away..that is the question? I'm curious..do you find the quilt hard to quilt if you leave all the layers in place without cutting the bulk away?

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  12. Ivory SpringApril 18, 2011 at 5:53 PM

    WOW!!!! Congrats, Janet! You are my hero! I enjoyed your inking post too. You are just too amazing.

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  13. antique quilterApril 18, 2011 at 5:55 PM

    congrats you did it!
    well the reject looks good too , maybe make it into a pillow ???
    what a major accomplishment...
    Kathie

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  14. Oops-LahApril 18, 2011 at 6:02 PM

    Wonderful block! You must be so proud and maybe also a bit relieved ;). And I'm wondering if you always wash each block before sewing them all together?

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  15. ShirleyApril 18, 2011 at 6:07 PM

    Good morning Janet, what a good start to the day seeing such a beautiful block. The back is as neat as the front and what I would expect from such a perfectionist. I aim for that eatness but don't always achieve it.
    Love Shirley.x

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  16. KaarenApril 18, 2011 at 7:40 PM

    Excitement, indeed! I can't wait to see all the blocks sewn together.

    What an incredible quilt...even at this stage.

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  17. BetsyApril 18, 2011 at 7:51 PM

    Janet it is beautiful.

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  18. MaryApril 18, 2011 at 8:13 PM

    Beautiful block! I rather do needle turn as well. This is just fabulous!

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  19. Abby and StephanieApril 18, 2011 at 8:21 PM

    Your work is so perfect at first I thought it was a machine embroidery block. You're going to have quite an heirloom once you're all finished.

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  20. JanetApril 18, 2011 at 9:01 PM

    Gorgeus. Love the butterflies. Can't wait to see the top put
    together.

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  21. CrispyApril 18, 2011 at 9:22 PM

    The block is beautiful Janet!! How fun to have a "beginners" version to compare with....you've come a long way baby :0)

    Crispy

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  22. Sujata ShahApril 18, 2011 at 9:59 PM

    Janet,
    This must feel so good! An amazing accomplishment. I have cut away background fabric in the past..something I will not repeat.
    Congratulations on the finish!

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  23. KarenApril 18, 2011 at 10:02 PM

    Applause!

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  24. *karendianne.April 18, 2011 at 10:22 PM

    Really really pretty and the inking to come is going to be super neat.

    Totally appreciate seeing the back. As a baby appliquer I find that to be an "ahhh ha" moment. I was reading something about what your stitches should look like on the back of your piece and this is exactly what it said. Poor me… mine don't look like that yet. Yet. ;)

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  25. Pinkadot QuiltsApril 18, 2011 at 10:43 PM

    Your applique is impecable and stunning. Congratulations on all 25 blocks, you must be thrilled. I can't wait to see them all together!

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  26. kim mcleanApril 18, 2011 at 11:02 PM

    Well done Janet! Looking great! Kim McL

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  27. MARCIEApril 18, 2011 at 11:10 PM

    Your work always amazes me. Magnificent!

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  28. ThimbleannaApril 18, 2011 at 11:25 PM

    Oh Janet! It's just gorgeous!!! I'm really enjoying my little applique UFO this week too, although, I'm still in the stone-ages with technique. I still use the cut-away method as needle turn is just too frustrating for me and the edges never look as crisp. I LOVE your pretty block and I can't wait to see the finished quilt!

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  29. Nifty QuiltsApril 19, 2011 at 12:08 AM

    Another beautiful block. You do amazing applique! Very inspiring.

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  30. LoriApril 19, 2011 at 12:20 AM

    What a wonderful and beautiful block, Janet! Sometimes when you get on a roll it is noce to burn the midnight oil getting a project done! It was worth it!!

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  31. Ann ChampionApril 19, 2011 at 12:56 AM

    Your block is beautiful. It must feel great to have all 25 done? This is going to be a spectacular quilt!
    It was fun to see the difference between then and now.

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  32. Carrie P.April 19, 2011 at 1:42 AM

    It is so neat to see how our applique improves over time. I am working on a project that I started out as a beginner and I definitely know so much more now to make it look a whole lot nicer.
    Great block.

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  33. SharonApril 19, 2011 at 2:45 AM

    What fun to see how your work has improved. New techniques = nicer blocks. I figure with hand applique,the more tricks and techniques you learn, the better your work will become. I would love to have work as neat as yours! Thanks for sharing your journey.

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  34. JuliaApril 19, 2011 at 10:31 AM

    I love seeing your work Janet..
    another lovely block,,, a stunning quilt in the making..
    Amazing how we judge our own work, from how it was then to how you do it now..
    both beautiful!
    Julia ♥

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  35. TerryApril 19, 2011 at 11:27 PM

    Beuatiful as always! I actually like looking back at my older projects because I can see how much I've improved! :0)

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  36. MeredithApril 20, 2011 at 6:30 AM

    Very pretty and my experience is the same. Basting and pulling all that out is really not worth it. Needle turn all the way

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  37. Nanette MerrillApril 20, 2011 at 6:44 AM

    What a classic. Beautiful work Janet. It is great how we can see progress in ourselves.

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  38. BarbApril 20, 2011 at 11:35 PM

    On my album quilt I used a do-over block on the back as a label. It was nice looking and fit in with the quilt perfectly.
    Needle turn is such a nice way to applique' I think.

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  39. RobinApril 23, 2011 at 2:32 AM

    That IS exciting!!!

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  40. Dixie HowardApril 26, 2011 at 12:18 PM

    I went through the exact same evolution with applique. Can't believe how much time I used to waste hand basting the pieces to the paper. Thank goodness my beloved quilting teacher, Gretchen, remarked "You could have two blocks done in the time you have done one it you would try needleturning!" Thank goodness I took her advice and haven't looked back. Gorgeous blocks!

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