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| Client quilt FreshofftheFrame.com |
Its blocks are rich with detailed applique, and my job was to enhance each scene while stitching down said applique.
Without making a mess.
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| FreshofftheFrame.com |
Easier said than done.
Many layers of applique done with batiks = holes that cannot be "erased" once they're poked.
Once a hole, always a hole. (And a longarm needle is the fencepost of needles, soooo . . . no pressure! ha!)
Once a hole, always a hole. (And a longarm needle is the fencepost of needles, soooo . . . no pressure! ha!)
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| FreshofftheFrame.com |
Despite the (self imposed) pressure, I loaded the quilt and dug in.
Basting stitches were placed so the holes wouldn't show after the stitches were removed.
After the quilt was basted I stitched the white border and then moved on to the sashing around each picture.
(At that point I worked from the bottom-up to avoid unnecessary rolling of the quilt, though I did roll and begin in the center of the quilt when it was time to tackle the pictures.)
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| Goose block before quilting FreshofftheFrame.com |
I wasn't concerned with outlining every single bit of applique if there was a way to secure it artistically. This quilt is destined to hang on the wall, not to be washed and handled as a bed quilt. Different purpose, different rules!
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| Goose block after quilting FreshofftheFrame.com |
With that in mind, I used many, MANY jump stitches so I wouldn't fill the ditches with thread. Jump stitches are FAR more efficient than constantly cutting thread - and saving time saved my client money (which I'm sure was appreciated!).
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| FreshofftheFrame.com |
Jump stitches can leave the back a bit messy, but my main concern with a wall quilt is the front.
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| FreshofftheFrame.com |
Skinny pieces of applique can only take so much torture before shredding into oblivion, so the only option was to leave well enough alone even when I thought a change might improve things.
For instance, in one heavily layered spot the thread looked a bit shreddy on the back. The stitches looked fine on the front, and were secure, so I knew it would be smarter to leave them than to try and re-do the area.
That took will power, I tell ya! Will. Power.
For instance, in one heavily layered spot the thread looked a bit shreddy on the back. The stitches looked fine on the front, and were secure, so I knew it would be smarter to leave them than to try and re-do the area.
That took will power, I tell ya! Will. Power.
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| FreshofftheFrame.com |
I enjoyed adding perspective lines and details to help ground the critters.
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| FreshofftheFrame.com |
There are 29 different thread colours in this quilt.
Scratch that. There are THIRTY - I forgot to count the cone on the machine!
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| FreshofftheFrame.com |
#thatsalottathreadchanges
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| FreshofftheFrame.com |
It's hard to pick a favourite block.
Maybe this one?
Maybe this one?
(Or the puffins? The farm? Oh! Maybe the bluejay? Oh my. How 'bout ALL OF THE BLOCKS!!!)
This quilt was a ton o' work, but mostly it felt like play!
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| FreshofftheFrame.com |
O Canada, you're the one for me! What an honour it was to help with this beautiful tribute to our fair land.
Linky Tuesday @ Freemotion by the River
Let's Bee Social @ Sew Fresh Quilts
Try, Learn & Grow!
Carole
