Monday 17 February 2014

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. 

22 comments:

  1. I love the little brown sawtooth border! I really like how you show us your process - I'm always surprised at all the techniques you utilize and I am learning from you. This is going to be another gorgeous quilt and I love following your progress.

    ReplyDelete
  2. This is gorgeous!! Your work is just amazing! I would love to make a medallion quilt in the future, but probably not as difficult as this one. Thanks for sharing

    ReplyDelete
  3. Loving the sawtooth border and its lovely you share how you have achieved it.
    Looking forward to seeing more of your inspirational work.

    ReplyDelete
  4. This is just inspiring work. I could look at the centre all day. I agree that our lives are stitched into our quilts, and it's a beautiful sentiment. Love watching this quilt grow.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Lovely! I'm enjoying watching your progress. Your appliqued 1/2 inch sawtooth border is quite impressive.

    ReplyDelete
  6. It is so fascinating watching your progress on this one. Those sawtooths are so tiny, you did a great job with them.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Your AR quilt is so interesting. I'm really enjoying watching it grow under your fingers. It just gets better and better with the addition of each border! Can't wait to see the finished quilt!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Beautifully done, I also enjoy watching your progress and technique.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wonderful details on this - have done sawtooth borders before but never 1/2" peaks - you are quite brave and very accomplished!!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love seeing how you assemble each row. It's coming along nicely!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I really appreciate you sharing each of your steps. Your sawtooth border is so small. Wow! It grows in loveliness with each added border.

    ReplyDelete
  12. This is lovely. You inspire us all. ~ Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  13. Wonderful work! I've been thinking about making a tumbler border on one of my quilts. Never thought about paper piecing it for stability but that sounds like a great idea. I really, really like your applique sawtooth edging. Lovely!

    ReplyDelete
  14. It's growing so fast and looking stunning so far. I'm enjoying your process on this one and seeing how you tackle the elements. We were glad of the rain but oh my, the humidity was awful here.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Wow! You are making real progress. I drew out some paper pieced papers for the first time to make a cog wheel block. It is nice to use the machine sometimes to save our hands.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Ann Randoll is a beauty. Thank you for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I love watching the process of your work as it all comes together!
    Very inspiring!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I'm with Susan, the centre of your Ann Randoll is just mesmerisingly beautiful. Thanks for sharing your fp process - was it difficult to remover the paper?

    ReplyDelete
  19. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I love the tumbler border and was wondering how you made the foundation paper piecing borders? Are those just pieced together pieces of regular paper? Or a special paper? I'm looking to create my own paper-pieced border as well, but I have no experience. Thanks!!

    ReplyDelete