Tuesday 2 June 2015

Civil War Bride borders

I've been meddling with the Civil War Bride pattern again (yes I know - never satisfied). I've kept the winding vine, added some curls, a few pears and loads more leaves. 

I'll show you my method - just what I do but there are always other ways of going about it.
Trying my paper sketch out for size against the quilt:
Cutting a strip of background, placing it over my pattern, and tracing it on to the back of the fabric ready for back basting applique) with the help of a light pad. Thank goodness for a long kitchen bench - just another surface clearly designed for quilting! 

Then I made some 1/4 inch bias using the iron and a little Clover bias gadget. I think we've all tried this method but here is a link to a tutorial just in case. Then I pinned it to the fabric. I have tried glue in the past to hold the bias in place, but I prefer pins as I can make little adjustments as I stitch it down, and there is no risk of glue stains. I pinned the bias down with my light pad underneath - so I could see the placement lines that I drew on the back of the background fabric. 
Once the bias was all stitched down I used back basting to prepare all the rest of the applique and needle turned it. 
One border complete  -  three more to go, and some corners!

It's time to put another quilt in the hoop. There's no one so keen as the recently converted - and that's me with hand quilting! Remember this one? Ann Randoll - my verson of Rhonda Pearce's reproduction. 
The top was finished in October last year and put on the quilting queue while I revisited hand quilting. I think am sure I can tackle it now.  It was complex to piece this quilt but I'm hoping the quilting will be relatively simple - mostly outlining and highlighting the shapes. But maybe some fill in places...will see as it goes. 
Here is the backing prepared and I'm just waiting for delivery of the wool batting - can't wait to get it in the hoop!

(In case anyone asks...yes, this does mean I have finished hand quilting my Auntie Green -  but shhh - secret sewing - all to be revealed at the end of the year.)

Seeing as my CWB top is nearly finished I've been rummaging among the stash planning the next quilt to start. I bought Dawn's pattern Harrison Rose a little while ago and it has been waiting patiently. 

Nancy  is making her version in pink and green prints and I love it. But I'm going to take this chance to make something that has been on the 'one day' list for a long time - a quilt in solids. I've used plenty of red solid in quilts before but have not touched my little collection of cheddar. Each of these fabrics, from different manufacturers,  is called "cheddar"  and yet so different..
In deciding on my colour scheme I spotted some quilt images on Pinterest  - in colours that appeal to me - and printed them on a page to take to the stash. I love the way the greens in some antique quilts have washed/ aged to a taupe. So I thought I'd bypass the aging and go straight for the taupe in this quilt. 
The reds that are faded in antiques are so lovely too - as in this cutter scrap (that I showed a couple of posts ago). So I'll carry on the aged appeal by selecting reds in these old tones.
How about these colours for a start? 

While I was fossicking for fabric in the cupboards I ventured on a little tidying - had seen some of this going on in blogs and was inspired to try it! The tidying developed into a re arrangement  which then steam rolled into a full on clean out. I am now relatively back in control (phew) but have many boxes full of books and bobs for donation in the garage, clearer shelves, and have my 35 odd quilts in better order.
A Spring clean at the beginning of winter...that's what comes of reading blogs the other side of the world!

30 comments:

  1. Hilda - I am just basting the vine down for my first CWB side border. You move so fast with your projects I'm in the dust :0) I enjoyed just winging it with the top border so that's how I am going to do the sides although I did look with admiration and longing at your lovely drawing - planning ahead so there won't be any awkward spots or too empty spaces. I have a little scribbled sketch for a plan and leaves, flowers, fruit cut and I'm just going to go for it.
    I'm so excited that you are putting a new quilt in your hoop!! I know your secret sewing reveal will be worth the wait :0) You will do such a beautiful job with your Ann Randoll. I look forward to seeing your start with Harrison Rose - your fabrics look great together.

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  2. I am just in awe about your wonderful applique on the Civil War Bride quilt and the finished Ann Randoll quilt top. What wonderful sewing projects.
    Congratulations on the secret finish.
    Greetings,
    Sylvia

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  3. That is one awesome border you are putting onto that quilt. I just love it.

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  4. Dear Hilda, thank you so much for your tuto ! Your appliqué is perfect as usual.
    The new project will be awesome with these cute cheddars !
    Enjoy your time stitching ...
    Hugs !

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  5. wow.....i am in total awe of your beautiful projects. you inspire me to tackle a historical project....and i absolutely the aged color scheme, gonna be another beauty!

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  6. I remember the Ann Randall quilt, yes. Still in awe. And so much done on the Civil War bride border since the last post ...I think that you sew very quickly! :) It's gorgoeus.

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  7. My goodness your CWB is going to be stunning. Good to hear that the secret quilting is finished, and Ann Randoll is ready to begin. I love the anticipation of making that first quilting stitch.....my Irish Circles is basted and ready for me to start. Lovely display of your quilts. Do you have trouble with fold lines? I took my wholecloth out recently and the folds are quite pronounced, any suggestions?

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  8. Wow. This is so inspiring. The Civil War Bride is gorgeous

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  9. love that border you are working on - beautiful. You make such beautiful quilts.

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  10. Your posts are always so inspiring. I love your version of the CWB border. Your fabric choices for your solid quilt are very exciting. Can't wait to see what you put together. Have fun hand quilting your Ann Randall over the winter. Although at your speed you will probably be done before it even starts!

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  11. I just love that CWB quilt in Red. I know I have commented about this before.. but it really is my favorite version I have seen of this quilt. It inspires me to get back to stitching mine. Your borders are stunning.

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  12. I always love reading your new posts. It's like savoring something delicious. I read through it slowly, studying each photo nor wanting to miss anything. :0) Your CWB continues to grow lovelier and the borders are a perfect addition. And Ann Randoll will be a great project for winter stitching. Loved your thoughts on choosing the solids for your Harrison Rose. It makes me want to try something similar.

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  13. Beautiful border! Don't you love a counter design for quilt use? I'm can see why you are itching to quilt Ann Randoll. So happy the secret sewing is ready for its next debut.
    Very fun to see the fabric you chose for Harrison Rose. The RMQM chose a taupe faded green for their raffle quilt next year!

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  14. So many beautiful projects! I can't wait to see what your newest project will look like--you are so inspiring!

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  15. I love the solid cheddars, and the idea of using the taupes for your new quilt. A cleaned out quilt room is just the best, I did that a couple months ago and found three brand new rotary blades-jackpot!

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  16. Hilda, your blog is always such a treat to read. Thank you!

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  17. You do such beautiful work. The different cheddars are so bright and cheerful. What a wonderful project. I love looking at the stacked quilts. It's just so calming somehow.

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  18. Oh Hilda, your work is so beautiful. Love the way you've decided on your colour scheme for your next quilt - what fun you'll have. A clean up feels so good, doesn't it? And all those "rejects" can be someone else's treasures. Your quilts look lovely on the shelf.

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  19. Not sure how you get so much done! I recently saw a sampler quilt done in solids and really liked how it looked. Looking forward to your version of Harrison Rose.

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  20. Your border for CWB is looking wonderful! Love how those different cheddars look together and your antique look solids look great. You amaze me with how much you get done! Happy stitching!

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  21. Wow! That is some seriously beautiful applique! Looking forward to seeing your quilt made with solids! I hope to stitch one some day as well.... love the last pic you posted of the quilt with the coxcombs.... Congrats on cleaning out and organizing your stash and quilts! Gives new energy to quilt more, no? :-)

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  22. Hoe cool is that?!? I just happened to stumble upon your blog & saw that you're also making an adaptaties of the Bird of Paradise quilt. Great work! I just love the reds!!!

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  23. I forgot to ask in my previous comment... do you treat your fabrics - particularly those reds before you use them in a quilt. If so, what do you do/use? Thanks!

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  24. beautiful borders, I like that you add your own elements.
    Great cheddars for a new project.
    thanks for the inspiration

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  25. Your Civil War Bride quilt is coming along fabulously. The personal touch makes is very special! Love seeing your Ann Randoll again as well. It's very worthy of being hand quilted.:)

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  26. Your trailing vine border is looking beautiful. I'm so looking forward to following your progress on Harrison Rose, Nancy's version also makes me want to make it. Yours will look stunning with the colours you have chosen, especially the cheddars. Must be a great feeling to have finished quilting Aunty Green and lovely to see your Ann Randoll.

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  27. What an unusual vision you had for the CWB and then executed it to perfection! It is drop-dead gorgeous!

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  28. I love your border and adore that you are making it your own!
    Karen just did the Ohio sampler in the muted/old looking solids and it really looks aged! I like the direction you are taking with your new project.

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  29. Sensational work I always enjoy seeing any quilt with red and all shades of red josling for a position on the background. In Castlemaine for Castlemaine Applique Group yesterday I had the opportunity to visit Threadbear and saw the original of the Civil War Bride such a great quilt and loads of work as you can contest to. Well done.

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  30. I am enjoying catching up on reading your blog today. So much to drool over! I have a solid "one day" quilt, too. I have my little stack of greens and cheddars neatly waiting on my work stool (which means I cannot sit on the stool) hope to inspire me. My space needs me to start steamrolling through it and clean things up. Perhaps...tonight??

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