Saturday, November 28, 2015

"Positively"--a Finish!


A finished quilt!!!! With each project I stitch, I try something different.

What inspired me to make the quilt was the seven inch exchange squares from Fall retreat in 2014. I wrote about it here. Also what inspired me to make the quilt was the book our quilting book club discussed, "Where Lilacs Bloom," by Jane Kirkpatrick.

The book is about the history of the Hulda Kluger lilacs. I did enjoy reading the book and since I am a farmer's daughter, I could relate to the farming excerpts in the book! 





I chose the "plus" design, because it reminded me of plant markers. Also, Hulda always had people helping her with her plants and people that she helped by also providing room and board. She had many "plus ones" at meal time!
To read more about the piecing for the top and back, click here.










I used straight line quilting which reminded me of what a field looked like when we would work it for planting. 







Hulda was a star in terms of growing new lilac varieties so I quilted one large star and a couple parts of large stars; but, you can't see it in the background. I know that they are there though! I made a freezer paper template for my quilting design!




I also used Wonderfil's Invisafil thread to quilt the piece in gray. Invisafil is like a 100wt polyester. I have used it in the bobbin on embroidery pieces; but, had originally purchased it to quilt with it. My first attempts with my 1630 Bernina was that it was okay in the bobbin; but, I couldn't get the tension adjusted well enough to use it in the needle. So, I didn't use it.

When I purchased my 780, I tried again. I found that I needed to reduce the tension on the top or I had thread breakage when I used the walking foot. I had no adjustments to make if I free motioned quilted. Wasn't that an interesting discovery? The gray thread blends well and you have to look to see it.




Eventually, this quilt will be a gift to a new baby. Since, the ultimate purpose of this quilt is for a baby, I wanted the quilt to have some texture so this thread worked great for creating the subtle texture. 




This is my label. . .upside down. . .but, you can get the idea! I used a part of a sawtooth star that was left from Dad's Stars. I've left room to add the baby information when that time comes!








I stitched the binding totally by machine! I liked this application so much in terms of a time saver that I plan to work on perfecting the process on future quilt bindings. 

I finished stitching the corners closed on the binding, the sleeve and the label. The handwork goes much faster when one has already applied the binding totally by machine!

New tries: freezer paper quilting template,
straight line quilting, Wonderfil Invisafil polyester thread, machine stitched binding. 

I used ALL of the seven inch squares in the design. I've had the green fabric in my stash for years and I used all of it in this project! It measures about 32"w x 48"l.

Finished feels GREAT!!!

10 comments:

Luann Fischer said...

Thanks for all the design decisions. I know how good it feels to get projects finished. Just tonight I finished putting the binding on two more table runners. I changed over to machine binding several years ago. If I make a quilt to be judged I will do that one in the manner that won't get the quilt police hauling me off in cuffs! Machine stitching binding is a time saver, little ones usually don't wiggle their fingers into the stitches, and they hold up to repeated washings if they are used a lot. You might want to try decorative stitches, and couching yarn along the inside edge. It makes it fun for me.
PS. The box is still eluding me, but I will find it.
Have a great weekend Terry
Luann

TerryKnott.blogspot.com said...

Luann, sometimes, the design decisions bog me down. I'm trying to sweat less and create more. Sometimes it works and sometimes the outcome is much less than I had envisioned! I've done a flange before on the binding, but this was a first for a plain machine stitched binding. I so agree with you about couching and decorative stitches. . .guess, I need to get busy and get a few more projects to this stage!!! (The box will appear!) :)--Terry

Monica said...

I like this idea with the star template and straight line quilting. One to remember! Your machine binding looks very neat too. Congratulations, great finish!

Unknown said...

It is so enjoyable to read about your processes. Every quilt has a story that is so much more than you can ever read on the label. Thanks for sharing.

Nancy said...

It's a wonderful finish and I'm sure that future baby will love it!

TerryKnott.blogspot.com said...

Thank you, Monica! I hope to use that star template in another project. . .we will see!!! :) --Terry

TerryKnott.blogspot.com said...

Yep, I agree, Joanne. A label is important; but, it doesn't tell the story! Thank you for your comment!--Terry

TerryKnott.blogspot.com said...

Nancy, Some future baby. . .It is always good to be prepared!!! I now have a girl and a boy quilt just waiting. . .!!! :)--Terry

Diane-crewe said...

well done .. it is so bright and cheerful x I am sure it will be well loved x

TerryKnott.blogspot.com said...

Diane, I agree! Bright and cheerful are good combinations at any time! Now, it is just waiting for its 'real' purpose! :) --Terry