Friday Finishes - Shapes II Corded Binding Finish

Shapes II is quilted and it's time to put the binding on.  But what to do?  As I was considering this question, I happened to notice a braided cord I had bought to put on the quilt but discarded it after realizing it was too large.  But how about as a binding pulling all of the metallic gold thread together?  Recently having read about a corded binding technique for art quilts I decided to give it a try.

Following Carol Ann Waugh's Rattail Binding technique video, I began by zigzag stitching around the outside edge of the quilt, changing thread colors to match the fabric.

Using the gold metallic thread, I then zigzag stitched the gold cording to the edge.

Unfortunately, I did not take any close ups.  But the result looks good, don't you think?

When you look at Carol Ann Waugh's technique, I suggest you pay particular attention to the cord junction.  I did have some difficulty making them come together smoothly.  I know it's hard to see but if you look closely you can see the junction on the right side.  Using a large cording had something to do with it.  Also, I didn't go around the quilt with another row of zigzag stitching because the thread would have muddied up the look of the cording.


This is a nice finish for an art quilt.  Carol Ann Waugh's instructions were complete and I found the binding easy to do (exception in joining but not technique problem, mine).  I will use this again keeping in mind that it works best with a low loft batting so the initial zigzag stitching completely closes the layers.  The binding style needs to be used on wall quilts only as I would not recommend it on a quilt to be washed.


Happy Friday,

Shapes II - The Surprise of Quilting. . .

Time to begin quilting Shapes II.  I'm happy with the results so far but will the quilting make or break the quilt?  That's always the question I wrestle with.  The quilt colors gave me the impression of the cosmos or outer space so that's the direction my stitching moved towards.

I began simply by SID between the quilt center and border, and then the inside and outside edges of the square and arc matching thread color to the teal.   I next quilted the background.  Because I want to keep it behind the other quilt elements, I quilted the background the densest with a meander.

As I knew that I wanted to use gold metallic thread on the red border, I moved to that next using a free motion zig-zag stitch.

Continuing to use the gold metallic thread, I SID around the triangles and outlined the appliqued circles.  I added a few lines within the triangles to bring sparkle to them.

Final object to quilt is the square.  Not sure what I wanted, I decided to try a set of stitches I've been wanting to try.  The stitch set consists of a few straight free motion stitches, some free motion zig-zag stitches, finishing with a few more straight free motion stitches.  As I began stitching, I decided to drag the thread between the stitch sets.  I intended to clip the dragged thread once the quilting was complete.  However, as I completed one section, I realized I liked the look as it was so left threads.  Quilting done, happiness with results continues.  Binding details next.


Until next time,

Completing Piecing for Shapes II. . .

Shapes II is trimmed up and ready for borders.

The original design has asymmetrical borders:  2 narrow at 1"; 2 wide at 2 1/2".  First narrow border of 1" was sewn to right side.  Second narrow border was sewn to top.

Bottom wide border is next.  Border piecing is completed with adding wide left side.

Remember this applique piece prepared way back when?

It is now fussed to the wide border sides.  And I think I have winner!   As you may recall I began this quilt journey in my effort to design a class pattern.  Believe it or not, the interior of this quilt can be completed in one class session.  I am happy with the results and the project contains the elements needed.  The students will have to complete the borders outside of class but I think they can handle that.  I will make it again in different colors and share it with you.


Quilting and binding are next.  I'm never sure what I'm going to do until I begin.

So until next time,

Friday Finishes. . . Satisfied Shapes II Finish

Shapes II is finished.  I am so happy with the results that I had to share even before I completed going through the assembly steps.  I will continue to document the process in a future blog.

I love, love, love designing because I am never sure how a project is going to turn out until it's done.  Every step is a surprise, and once complete, every viewer's eye is a surprise.

My edge is cording.  First time I have used this technique and will use it again.

The weekend is here.  What project can you finish so you can have that great feeling of accomplishment?  Please share your accomplishments.


Until next time,

Shapes II - Putting It All Together. . .

Now that the individual quilt elements for Shapes II are complete, all of the pieces can be put together.

Beginning with piece #1, lay it in position on the base.  Remember that the over and under seam allowances were determined earlier.  Piece #1 seam allowance lays flat as it will lie under piece #2.

Seam allowance for piece #2 is pressed under and laid on top of piece #1, pinned and sewn together.  My stitch of choice is the applique stitch.

Background pieces #3 and #4 are laid down as, once again, these lie under other pieces with seam allowances flat.

Pressing the seam allowances for piece #5 under with the exception of the interior seam, place on base, pin and stitch together.

Pressing the seam allowances for piece #6, place in position and stitch.  The quilt interior is put together and so quickly.  I love this technique and it's easy 1, 2, 3 steps.


Until next time,

Shapes II Continues - The Real Fun Begins

The holidays are over and it's time to get back to work.  I'll continue on my Shapes II project.

Beginning with the fusible web applique, I fused the circle shapes onto the square.  Using metallic gold thread, I free-motion zig-zag stitched the edges twice.  

The flying geese fusible interfacing shape will be used as the base for foundation piecing.

 The freezer paper  foundation shape was cut apart and the shapes fused to the appropriate fabrics.  

 The shapes were cut apart with at least 1/2" seam allowance between each.  Using the fusible interfacing foundation piece, beginning with piece #1, sew the pieces numerically, pressing the sewn pieces to the fusible.

 When completed, this is what the foundation piecing looks like from the back. . .

And here it is from the front.  Foundation piecing allows points to be sharp in unusually shaped piecing.  The elements are now built.  Putting it all together comes next.


Until next time,

Construction of Shapes II Art Quilt begins. . .

Shapes I is complete.  Wow, does that ever feel good!  However, the quilt top took more time to complete that I had expected which made for a poor teaching pattern.  Therefore, I have taken the elements of Shapes I and created Shapes II.  Let's see how well this works for teaching.

 Beginning with the drawing, I selected my fabrics,

and drew the pattern full scale with a marker and labeled with fabric colors.  The finished size is approximately 12" square.

 A layer of Swedish tracing paper was placed over the original pattern, traced, and marked determining seams to be turned under versus those that are not.  This will  be used for the quilt top base.

And traced one more time onto shirt-tailor interfacing.  Cut apart these shapes to use as templates.

 It is now time to turn the original pattern over and trace it in reverse, once again with a marker.  The appropriate reversed shapes can now be traced onto fusible web.

 Press the fusible web tracings onto the appropriate fabric and

cut out.

 Fuse the shirt-tailor interfacing templates to their appropriate fabric choices (with the exception of the flying geese variation template; we will deal with that later).

Stay-stitch approximately 1/8" from edge of templates.

Cut shape out leaving approximately 1/2" seam allowance all around.


Prep is done and we are ready to sew.


Until next time,