Ann Randoll centre borders

I've been enjoying watching the Winter Olympics - some thrilling events I had no idea even existed!  And this has been 'sit-and-stitch time' for my Ann Randoll reproduction quilt project ( started in an inspirational workshop with Rhonda Pearce - using her pattern instructions). I'll probably for ever more think of these Olympics whenever I look at this quilt...memories get somehow ingrained in the stitches don't they?

First sawtooth border completed

Last report I was at the point of appliqueing the first saw-tooth border - quite tricky to stitch as the peaks are less than 1/2 inch high. My applique is far from perfect - there is an element of wonkiness in there! But I am happy with its 'handmade' look - consistent with the charm of the original antique quilt. 

I knew I had to get a brown thread, and a fine one - hoping it would disappear into the fabric.  I tried two YLI threads - the silk #100 and the Soft Touch cotton #004. They are both very fine which helps on small zigzags where you don't want stitches to become too much of a feature! I think it is just a personal preference which to use of these two (and am sure there are other great threads out there too) - both stitched beautifully. I prefer the cotton as it seems to 'grab' the fabric better - not so slippery - so the applique is held down very firmly . It does have a tendency to shred if you use a long piece of thread though. So short lengths it was! 

Next step:  to add a pieced border of tumblers. I decided to do this by foundation paper piecing by machine. - just because I have found it very accurate and stable ( which my normal piecing is not). I made foundation strips from foundation paper - using the piecing pattern from the workshop.

Preparing foundation paper strips

Foundation papers ready

Just testing that the papers fit around the quilt border - yep OK

Stitching the fabrics to the foundation papers

Trimming the edges of the pieced strips - paper still attached

Sewing border strips to the quilt - papers still in

Then  to remove the papers . I had used a small machine stitch so the seams were held firm, and the papers easily removed.

Centre with tumbler border attached

The next border has more small saw-tooth edging and corner feature blocks, as well as an appliqued bias strip with leaves. I made the bias with a 1/4 inch bias maker and appliqued it between the corner blocks. 

Placement of the bias - will be tucked under the corner blocks

And this is where I am at now - applique of the leaves - nice relaxing hand work:

It is so good to have had some useful rain in this part of Australia at last - my water tank has been empty for quite some time. So sad though to see too much rain has caused devastating flooding  in the lovely villages and towns of England - places I lived in and visited as a child. Do hope it eases very soon.