Wednesday, July 25, 2012

More about the red and green

I always think of winter as hand quilting season and I usually have some grand plan to do lots of it and it just never seems to work out that way. I haven't done a lot more on the Coxcomb quilt because the marking has been difficult. I should have  marked it before basting but I hate doing that and never have. If only we had professional markers these days.
The background is 1/4" lines and inside the trapunto wreaths, a 3/8" grid is done on the diagonal. The 3/8" grid will be repeated on the outer side of the border to tie it all together.
The rule is that no matter how careful lines are drawn with a ruler, marking will always go astray. I  knew that but did listen to myself?
I bought myself a lifesaving tool which is now one of my favourites. The June Tailor marking grid has slots every 1/2" and I love it.
I've nearly finished marking the whole background and I'll go back and mark the 1/4" lines as I go. I found out it pays to put masking tape on the sides just so that the ruler won't shift as I mark but it's important to remove the tape after a session or it will be hard to get off.
I'm using the Berol hand washable pens that I wrote about here.
If you adore red and green quilts like me, you might be interested to know that a kind blogger has pointed out that the quilt this was based on is listed for sale again. 
when you click on the main photo, you can scroll through close ups of them all. Go here for a look, how big do you think the background grid quilting is on it?
Meanwhile, I'm still plugging away at my vines, it's a slow process. Have you seen Dorothy's? Go have a look, she's doing it in different colours, it's gorgeous.
 Until next time, Janet

39 comments:

Sue said...

Wow!! Thats all I can say. You must be very proud of what you have done. It is gorgeous. I will be taking a look at all the things you have unlined - like the ruler and the pen!
I know how hard it is to get those lines straight, having done it myself.

Pinkadot Quilts said...

Janet your quilting is exquisite! Your patience is going to make this a masterpiece!
I need to try out those pens too.

Janet said...

Your quilting is amazing!!!I imagine the lines went awry for quilters of the past as well :0) It looks incredibly beautiful to me. I love the echo quilting on the leaves as well.
I'm still plugging away at my vines too and loving every minute of it :0)

Abby and Stephanie said...

I shall never get bored seeing your amazing quilting on this quilt. Your quilt is as divine as the original. I have a historic antique quilt book I checked out of the library recently. The vine quilt is in it. I thought of you.

Anonymous said...

I'm always excited to see your post due to OUTSTANDING workmanship!

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

beautiful, beautiful - marking the lines is always a pain and I almost always get off center a bit.
Karen

YankeeQuilter said...

Looking gorgeous! I try and make myself mark my quilt totally before basting but I always either miss something or have a late add...

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

Incredible work Janet!

Spice said...

great work!!!

Now, I'm on the hunt for the Berol markers. LOL

Sujata Shah said...

Janet,
I am always learning something from you! I think this quilt has to be one of my favorites in the Blogland.
Just amazing!

Pat said...

Oh Janet - your quilting lines don't look astray at all! What a gorgeous surface texture you are creating. Will have to check out the June Taylor ruler - it might help with my Cherry Tree quilt. You always share the best information. Thank you.

Pat on the road to Alaska in Beautiful British Columbia

Kim said...

Just dropping in to see how you are coming along with trailing vines.

Are you doing all the applique by hand?

I've looked through your blog and directions but I don't see how you are making the different types of leaves....can you help direct me?

This quilt is just stunning.

Are you still making progress on your red and white Just takes 2 sew along?

Thanks and Happy Sewing

Oops-Lah said...

It looks amazing, Janet! And I've never seen a ruler like this. I've got a couple of June Tailor's ruler's with slits for cutting though and love them.

Mimi said...

Janet, I am so thoroughly impressed with your quilts, your quilting and color choices. I think I have to agree with you though, I hate to mark a quilt and that is probably why I haven't done any near the amount of hand quilting that I would probably really enjoy if I liked marking. Maybe someday when I have lots of time to spare.

Barb said...

Your quilt is going to be sooooo fabulous!!

Adele said...

Loved watching this quilt grow into something fab....and your quilting stitches are to die for.....what batting/wadding do you use to get them that small????

Adele xx

Cathy @ CabbageQuilts said...

Your work is breathtaking Janet, a true heirloom in the making. As are you incredible vines. xo

Lurline said...

Just checked out the antique, Janet - wow! amazingly priced. Just think, your heirloom is close to a finish, magnificent!
Big hugs - Lurline.

Shirley said...

What a pity there is no information on the quilter who made the original. At least your quilt will be well documented and is equally as stunning. The quilting lines look pretty impressive to me Janet and a great idea to use the ruler for marking. I am following Dorothy's progress on her vines and both are stunning.

Rachaeldaisy said...

Thanks for the link. It's wonderful how you are recreating history with your beautiful work.. We're so lucky that we get to see you make this amazing quilt!! And the Vines quilt too.

MONA said...

Excellent workmanship, Janet! Love seeing your quilts!

Fischtown Lady said...

You´re quilting is excellent! I love it! Now I looking for the Grit marker. I thing i need it for myself. Thank You for the tip!

Greetings, Marita from Germany

Karen said...

It's looking great!! I also love using the grid maker, but mine does slide. I will defintely use your tip about the masking tape - not sure why I never thought of it!! Thanks Janet :).

Lori said...

Grid marker? What a fantastic idea!! The quilt is looking mighty fine!

Martha said...

I am completely blown away by both of these quilts. They are so beautiful and your stitching is amazing. You inspire me to challenge myself as a quilter.

I bought the Berol pens (love them), and now I'm going to get the grid marker -- thanks for the tips.

Carrie P. said...

Janet, you are such an inspriation. just gorgeous!

Barb said...

looks like a great tool for us hand quilters!
Thanks for the links.

Anonymous said...

absolutely beautiful! And so fun to see the antique as well.....Your version is a real tribute to the original!

Carla A Few Of My Favorite Things said...

This quilt is going to be spectacular!

Salley said...

Maestro Janet! your quilt is looking amazing,........ and thankyou for the links.... that long gone quiltmaker had the tiniest of applique stitches...it was lovely to see this old quilt up so close.

Annemart Berendse said...

Hi Janet, May I give you an advice on the background grid from a NQA/IQA/AQS blue ribbon best of show winner (Ted Storm)? She never does the grid fully. If she wants a 1/4 inch grid she first does the inch lines, quilt them. Then draw the half inch line, quilt them. And then draw the 1/4 inch line. That way any inconsistency can't be a big thing. But if you draw the grid at once and then quilt it, the quilting influences the distance of the lines next to it. And that might differ. Even if you draw the lines as even as possible.

Hope that helps!

Annemart Berendse said...

Having that said, your quilting is really beautiful and I love your work!!!

Browndirtcottage said...

It's coming along nicely Janet. What a treasure and great accomplishment you will have one day!! I.LIKE.

Thimbleanna said...

Wow Janet! That quilt is SO gorgeous. You're amazing!!!

Gingi said...

Brava, magnifici lavori...voglio imparare..voglio imparare... voglio imparare...;-))
Un abbraccio
Gingi

Ann-Mari said...

So beautiful work, love it. Your blog is very inspirational.

Quayquilter said...

I have been using those Berol pens for more than a decade and have had no problems with marks - they wash out. I avoid the red and royal blue after testing on muslin, though. My most used are brown, grey, turquoise, pink and green.

Quilter Kathy said...

Such a neat marking tool...I've never seen it before. Thanks for posting it.

Alice said...

I have never marked a grid on anything bigger than a crib quilt and find that difficult enough - even if I mark it before basting. I love Annemart's comment and think that would work really well.