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:

julieQ said...

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!!

regan said...

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!

Darlene said...

It's beautiful, Janet. Sigh!!!

Joan said...

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

Janet said...

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

wishes, true and kind said...

What an accomplishment! Your work is just beautiful!

Nat Palaskas said...

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

Mimi said...

That's a beautiful block!

Lisa said...

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

Rachaeldaisy said...

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

Sew Create It - Jane said...

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?

Ivory Spring said...

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

antique quilter said...

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

Oops-Lah said...

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?

Shirley said...

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

Kaaren said...

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

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

Betsy said...

Janet it is beautiful.

Mary said...

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

Abby and Stephanie said...

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.

Janet said...

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

Crispy said...

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

Crispy

Sujata Shah said...

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!

Karen said...

Applause!

*karendianne. said...

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. ;)

Pinkadot Quilts said...

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

kim mclean said...

Well done Janet! Looking great! Kim McL

MARCIE said...

Your work always amazes me. Magnificent!

Thimbleanna said...

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!

Nifty Quilts said...

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

Lori said...

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!!

Ann Champion said...

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.

Carrie P. said...

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.

Sharon said...

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.

Julia said...

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 ♥

Terry said...

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

Meredith said...

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

Nanette Merrill said...

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

Barb said...

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.

Robin said...

That IS exciting!!!

Dixie Howard said...

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!