I'm almost done with the hand quilting around every. single. piece. of. applique. on this Civil War Bride. It really should be a winter project but we've had some opportune cooler days, and there is the pressure of quilts getting very impatient in the quilting queue.
I'm so glad each block is different as it keeps it interesting.
Assessing the quilt top for the next step in the quilting - there are a lot of irregular, odd shaped background spaces between the applique. They are a bit bumpy and flappy and, in my humble opinion, need some quilting discipline. But the trick with irregular spaces - what pattern to use?
Have a look at a few blocks - they fill the background very differently. This one fills the background almost fully...
Biggish spaces in this one...
I'm afraid it might make a 'dog's breakfast' of it with various sized quilting motifs. Ideas?
- maybe some grid quilting or parallel lines - always looks good and gives uniformity across the background
- maybe echo quilting - I loved it on my Auntie Green but my feeling is it doesn't suit this one
- maybe some little crosses stippled - looks great in big stitch quilting but not sure here - might give it a try just to see...
Indigo Circles (my Quilty 365 sewalong project) - after feeling deplorably behind on this project, I am now quite well on target, having prepped up a storm. It's been fun experimenting on ways to be more efficient with the blocks. I tried out a Youtube method using foil to iron fabric around templates.
I know one or two other Quilty participant have also discovered this method.
I was originally using back basting prepared needleturn for my circles - no problem with that but I just thought this might speed up the needleturn.
Circles do need careful needleturn to avoid those pesky unwanted points. I'm not sure this method has made my circles any more accurate but it is quicker!
Here are the latest 21 blocks. That makes a total of 37 so far.
I've decided to stitch my 2" blocks into four-patch blocks as I go, and mix them among the 4 " blocks on point - something like this picture.
Another little efficiency measure has been the use of my 4 1/2 " square ruler - to square up and size my finished blocks. I was thrilled to find it is just the right size and invaluable in checking the piecing of those four-patches.
So there we are - every new project brings a little more learning ... or some useful revision! I am sure there must be others like me - I even forget what I have forgotten...sigh.
Your quilt is so beautiful. I think the cross hatching would give uniformity without distracting from the lovely applique.
ReplyDeleteCivil War Bride....absolutely stunning! Inspirational.
ReplyDeleteThe red Civil War Bride is a Masterpiece, a magnificent heirloom. I understand that other quilts are waiting for their turn but don't rush this one. I would go with a crosshatching all over. It is simple and it doesn't care how small or big the space is. It just gets the job done. Happy stitching. ;^)
ReplyDeleteI think whatever method of quilting you choose will look good on this wonderfully appliqued charmer. I like the idea of sewing the small circles into 4-patches. It looks so calm and inspiring.
ReplyDeleteYour work is so gorgious! Cross hatching diamonds will work, I think. You have a lot of leaves with pointy edges. The diamond shape would reinforce the quilting and the applique. Good luck with your quilting.
ReplyDeleteA cross hatching grid is so classic...or 2 closely spaced quilting lines on the diagonal...each block you have appliqued is so stunning, the simplest, uncluttered quilting would serve it well. I could study your blocks for hours to see how you interpreted and chose such perfect fabrics.
ReplyDeleteI would do the grid quilting....diagonal lines. It always seems to pull things together. Not an original idea but it would work.
ReplyDeleteI have a circle tutorial on my side bar but I don't know if it is what you would like but you can check it out if you wish - I hadn't seen them done the way you are doing them.
ReplyDeleteCross hatching always looks great on applique quilt blocks - I'm sure you will pick out what works best for you. It looks wonderful right now but I know what you mean about wanting a little more in it.
I like your suggestion to do a grid behind the applique. It would balance it nicely. I really like your circles- my fav of the ones I've seen.
ReplyDeleteYour quilt is stunning.
ReplyDeleteThat quilt is just so beautiful and your work is immaculate, which I think I've said before. Any way you think to quilt it will be lovely. Thanks for sharing your circle method. Happy Stitching.
ReplyDeleteLove your quilt--seems to call out for crosshatching IMHO. The freezer paper method for circles works great as long as you carefully smooth all the edges. I have used it for 1/4" circles with great success--so much easier, too!
ReplyDeleteI could see where the different spaces need something to unify the design. So far the grid solution seems the best. You'll figure out the perfect idea. Love what you're doing with your circles. Hope the foil method speeds thing up.
ReplyDeleteI always think you can't go wrong with grid quilting for appliqued blocks. I'm still slogging through my BTCT and you have so many done. I just don't' know about the stippling, I started it on one and then picked it out. Thought it was just too tedious.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wunderfull applique.
ReplyDeleteGreetings Martina
You need to trust your instincts with the quilting, all your other quilts have looked perfect. Like your circles, there are lots around the internet.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beauty, and your applique is fantastic.
ReplyDeleteGreetings Tilly
Gi don't think you've forgotten anything about appliqué. I never tire of seeing your blocks, they are so beautiful. I do like the effect of a grid but it might be tedious in such small spaces.....maybe stippling is the way to go. I'm sure your choice will be just right. Love the circles too.
ReplyDeleteI did mine with echo quilting, if you want to have a look:
ReplyDeletehttp://janesthreads.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/catalinas-paradise-quilt.html
and that might help you decide whether you like that or not. Cross hatching or just lines might be nice too.
Whatever you do, it will be beautiful!
I love you red bride quilt! I would keep with the echo quilting, or stippling, but it will be stunning either way!
ReplyDeleteYour appliqué is gorgeous as usual ! And I love the way you are setting your circles ! Very original !
ReplyDeleteWhatever method you will choose to quilt the blocks of the Civil War Bride, I am sure it is going to be a stunning quilt (I would tend to go for echo quilting, as grid-quilting would be beautiful as well, but all this ending and beginning of a line in between the applique-pieces...). Interesting way to do circles! Have to check that one out.
ReplyDeleteI love seeing the progress on Civil War Bride :) The circles are gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteInteresting ideas about the quilting of your Civil War Bride. Will sure look for your solution. Your circles are perfect.
ReplyDeleteGreetings,
Sylvia
your quilting is lovely and I'll have to try out that slick trick for larger circles!
ReplyDeleteIt is hard to figure out what to put in the background fill on CWB but the appliqués are small in many of the blocks so you can travel underneath them easily to continue the pattern. Hopefully it will go fast, whatever you choose will be beautiful. Your indigo fabrics are beautiful-I can't wait to try this tin foil method. Happy a stitching Hilda!
ReplyDeleteYour quilting is simply beautiful. I have the same difficulty when it comes to deciding how to "background" quilt so I usually end up with a simple echo quilting. I agree with you that it would not do this one justice. That being said, a grid background would be so difficult since there is so much applique. Guess I'm not being much help here. I'm sure whatever you decide, it will be beautiful. I tried the foil method after seeing a video as well. After the third finger burn, I decided I wasn't patient enough for this method! I'm glad to see it is working for you. Love the indigo!
ReplyDeleteI'm curious to see what you do with your open quilting areas. I'm going to be having the same problem with my latest quilt in the hoop and had considered stitching little leaf shapes. Echo quilting is my fallback otherwise.:) Your quilt is just so incredible. I can't say enough how much I love the way you put fabric and color together and then add in your wonderful applique/piecing skills? Amazing work.:)
ReplyDeleteIt is all so beautiful. I was interested to see the foil method. I make mylar heat proof templates, gather my fabric circles with thread, pull the ends to gather up over the circle template, daub with liquid starch, press, pushing the tip of the iron in from the outside of the circle to the inner. That way you can nudge any would-be pleats out and get a smooth turn. Remove mylar, gently gather again and press. I have done the most tiny circles like this.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to seeing what you decide to do about the quilting, as I often feel stumped in these situations.
My first thought was echo quilting, but maybe you're right about it not suiting. Crosshatching would be lovely. I'm sure what ever you choose it'll be gorgeous. Did you do needle turn applique?
ReplyDeleteMy Bride is languishing in a box after I completed 3 blocks. :-(
Love seeing your quilts-in-progress. Perhaps a small 1/2" cross-hatch would help fill those empty spaces? In any case I look forward to seeing what you come up with :)
ReplyDeleteThought I'd died and gone to heaven .... SUCH a beautiful quilt!
ReplyDeleteI could live contentedly with it quilted as it is now but I guess you feel it needs more.
It's truly inspiring.
And love your 365s - striking fabrics and my next batch are going to have mixed sized circles, I so like how you and others have melded them together.
Must give the tin foil method a try!
I'd never heard of it either :)
Beautiful! There is so much applique on this quilt, you hardly need any background or filler. If any, i would do some cross-hatching. it always works well.
ReplyDeleteI love all those reds you have used for this quilt
ReplyDeleteI'm a fan of echo quilting....just so soothing, satisfying and easy to do. I've never heard of the foil method of doing circles!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for leading me to that circle video. I'm going to give it a try.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to learning your decision on the quilting design for your Civil War Bride! Such a glorious quilt, I love every opportunity to view it! Your 365 Circles are coming along wonderfully too. I've used foil on tiny circles but never thought to try it on larger ones. I love your fabric choices for this quilt as well, just stunning.
ReplyDeleteSo lovely to revisit your CWB blocks. I have been wondering about those small odd spaces too. I've seen a few people who have done echo quilting in them which I thought looked good. Parallel lines are a good thought too. Can't wait to see what you do :0) I've occasionally used Tin foil method for circles too - usually when I need lots the same size.
ReplyDeleteIf I ever get to quilting my CWB I plan to cross hatch in between. Your circles look nice, I love the mix of sizes.
ReplyDeleteAmazing what a prolific hand quilter you have become. I am sure however you decide to quilt your CWB will be perfect. Love the indigo circles.
ReplyDeleteYour CWB quilt looks fabulous!!! I can look at it for hours. I prefer echo quilting because it doesn't need much preparation.
ReplyDeleteI used the foil method too. It is quite handy,but like you said may be not the most accurate method (nice for big circle though).
You make so many nice quilts! I will be back.
Thanks for stopping by my 1718 repro.
Groetjes
Annemieke
Your CWB quilt looks fabulous!!! I can look at it for hours. I prefer echo quilting because it doesn't need much preparation.
ReplyDeleteI used the foil method too. It is quite handy,but like you said may be not the most accurate method (nice for big circle though).
You make so many nice quilts! I will be back.
Thanks for stopping by my 1718 repro.
Groetjes
Annemieke
Thanks for your comment on my blog. I was curious about yours and just had a look.
ReplyDeleteI'm amazed by what you already have made so far !! Beautiful, and red and white quilts are one of my favourites !
Your circles are simply wonderful. I especially like the added four-patches mixed in with the larger blocks.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous circles. I like the simple palette combined with the varied sizes; it's very effective.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful palette of circles, I love the look you've achieved. Thanks for illustrating the foil technique, I'd like to try this as soon as I find something more substantial than the cracker box template I've been using.
ReplyDeleteI think some straight line quilting done on a 45 degree line would be great as background quilting on your CWB. I have never tried the foil method, may have to give a go sometime.
ReplyDeletePrecioso montaje y gracias por el enlace del video de youtube, no conocía este métido. Me encantan como quedan tus circulos. Un saludo
ReplyDeleteYour finished quilt will be stunning! Wonderful fabrics and inspired setting idea!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful quilt. This is the first I've ever seen done in red and white. I think I'd go for cross hatching in the background. Loving your indigo circles. I'm doing orange peel shapes on neutral backgrounds and I'm really enjoying it.
ReplyDelete