Beyond the Surface is Finished- -post 3

Ditch quilting

This project was originally designed as a backing. It talked. Gertie, my inner squirrel, and I listened. Last October, I posted about trying a different basting technique on this project. The technique didn't work for me that time. I ended up pin basting it as I usually did. 

Quilting ghost geese

This month, goal number nine on my list was to quilt it. I began using a polyester monofilament thread to free motion stitch in the ditch. There are few piecing elements so this part of the process went quickly,

Second attempt quilting the ghost geese

Next, I pulled threads to quilt the cream and brown areas. I used thread that matched the fabrics. My first go to quilt the ghost geese went awry. I realized when I quilted smaller ghost geese, the goose base didn't line up with the larger ghost goose. I removed the stitches and stitched it again. This time, I squeezed or stretched the goose so the shape fit the space. This result was much improved!

Sunshine quilting in place

I had thought that I would fill the background with ghost geese, but, that felt boring. Instead, I removed some lines and quilted goose formations. I liked that look. I quilted lines about an inch apart in the brown. Originally, that was where I had planned to end the quilting.

Portrait orientation

I photographed it a portrait position to see if I liked the orientation better. As I studied the quilt, it felt like the landscape orientation was the better layout. I also heard that the quilt wanted more quilting. I set it aside for a day to think about options.

Straight lines added to the goose formation

Adding quilting meant the I would be introducing shadow areas to the project. A good mix of sunshine and shadow quilting gives a project nice texture. Straight lines a quarter of an inch apart in the goose formation area seemed to be the "right" first addition. I left some areas of the section unquilted to let the sunshine appear. Purposely, I left the open areas unequal. After all, there are different numbers of geese that fly in flocks. I liked the result.

Straight lines added 

I added more straight lines in the brown areas so that the lines were also a quarter inch apart. I quilted the wing sections of the ghost geese with straight lines too. The additional quilting lines added to the dimension of the quilt. I now had a little bit of sunshine (open areas) and a lot of shadow (filled areas).

Almost a continuous curve added

Of course, the large ghost geese needed a little definition. I quilted an almost continuous curse on these. I also quilted the same motif in the large brown geese. What I liked about this add was that the center of the goose now was about the same size as the small ghost geese. I liked the overall view  the texture gave the quilt. 

The only way you would notice the texture would be if you stood in front of the quilt. When I make a quilt, I hope to draw the viewer to the quilt from across the room. As the viewer approaches, I hope their eye will find the quilting and linger on the work for a minute or two. My fingers are crossed that I achieved my goal!

Blocking the project

Since I was this far and it was early in the month, I decided to go for the finish! When I quilt that densely, the quilt doesn't lay flat.  A little steam and quilting rulers to provide weight as the project dries, encourages the project to lay flat. This process is called blocking.

View of matching the binding

While the quilt was drying, I cut the fabric for the sleeve, binding and label. For this project, I wanted the binding to match the top. I cut a strip of cream and several strips of brown. I sewed the cream to the brown. At the first place on the quilt where it was those colors, I matched the intersection. I stitched a little of the brown and about half of the white. 

After I had stitched an inch into the cream, I checked to be sure that the intersections had remained. I resumed sewing until I was about six inches from the second cream area. I measured where the cream needed to join. I added a quarter inch and cut it. I cut pieced another section of brown to the cream and continued adding the binding to the quilt. I pressed the seam away from the quilt. Next., I machine stitched the binding to the front of the quilt. I hand stitched the binding to the back.

Detail of sleeve

I did need to piece the sleeve as I didn't quite have the width I needed from the available scraps. I like the interest the line of lighter brown provided to the back.

The label

I added my label. Again I used one from the ones I picked up from the free table. I squeezed in the information that I wanted to include. I had a finish! This project is 47 inches by 31 inches.

Finished back

I used two and a half yards of fabric in this project. I have now used 44 1/4 yards of fabric from my stash! Getting this project to the finish was also goal number 2l of my annual list. It is my fourth finish of my annual goals!

Finished front

This week, I actually have a FINISH to link up with Finished or Not Friday! I'll also be linking up with Patchwork and Quilts and I Quilted This.