"Ok. So, I've never added an applique border let alone an improv appliqued border. So, I've never made a bias vine or bias binding for anything. I know it is recommended that the applique be done before it is added to the quilt; however, I don't think I can do that so I've gone and added the border - that lime green, pink and white floral. I'm thinking I will applique some vining roses going around the corners. That means I will make some bias vines for the first time and add some needle turned rose leaves. And then, I hope to add some ruched roses if I can remember how to make them from those days long ago when I used to do quite a bit of crazy quilting. If my ruched roses don't turn out then I might try some broderie perse roses. So, if I get as far as rambling roses in my corners then I might add some butterflies to the rest of the border. Or not. "
Since that post a week ago I have made some bias vine for the first time ever following Audrey's (Quilt Folk) instructions. It's a little wider than I wanted but it will do for now because I made a lot of it. I wasn't sure how much vine I needed.
Then I made some templates for leaves and wild roses and did some needle turn applique after I laid all my pieces out and pinned them to one corner of the quilt. I made one ruched rose but didn't like how it looked so didn't use my original plan. I was thinking of adding broderie perse roses but when I looked at appropriate fabrics I didn't want to cut out a few roses from any fabric. This is an improv learn-and-try-new-things kind of quilt so I might make a few mistakes or end up with something I'm not quite in love with but I will be wiser I guess.
Now I have three more corners to go!
I have to say that cutting bias strips/making bias vines or binding is a whole lot easier than I imagined. I was always afraid to try cutting a piece of fabric on the bias for fear I would waste a piece of fabric and end up with a mess. And now that I kind of know what I'm doing I have also been able to move another really old UFO forward. More on that later...maybe tomorrow.
And sew on...
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CELEBRATE! (My word of the year)
Nov. 6 - Hand stitching in the evenings.
Nice!
ReplyDeleteThis is looking great Cathy!
ReplyDeleteOr you could just 2 appliqued corners diagonally from each other.
ReplyDeleteYour BB#2 is looking wonderful. Excellent work on your applique!
ReplyDeleteArent you clever, a first time for everything! I must admit that I've never done bias vibes either, my solution was to stich curving ric rac around the border then add machine applique flowers and leaves.
ReplyDeletewhenever I have done an improv border I have waiting to finish the top first -- I was able to look at it and decide as I went what I wanted on it. Sometimes I would end up doing just one corner from middle of one border to middle of another if you understand what I mean and would be very satisfied and other times opposite corners would look great. I like what I am seeing here.
ReplyDeleteLooks great! I'm. It even 1/2 way on my #2 BB quilt 😄
ReplyDeleteI love it! You did a good job. The border fabric and the applique fabric is a perfect choice. Handwork is always good to have handy in the evenings.
ReplyDeleteI love your rosy corners and kudos to you for conquering your fear of bias cutting!
ReplyDeleteThat border applique is so pretty, Cathy! Perfect frame for the colors of your center section.
ReplyDeleteIt is turning out beautifully. I don't think the vines are too wide. Like a friend of mine told me once; "It doesn't have to be exact, it's your design decision." Great job.
ReplyDeleteI think the thicker bias stems look really good with the shape of the flowers. You are a true artist.
ReplyDeleteThis looks fantastic Cathy! So glad the vine worked out for you though as you said, maybe too wide. I get that occasionally too. Hard to figure for the particular thickness of the fabric and always get it just right the first time. So so sweet to see this though!
ReplyDelete