Friday, June 21, 2013

The Lilies Finished Up! Off the Wall Friday

With a big Thank God -  I finished up the latest in the lilies series.  With my new habit of getting up and sewing every morning, it wasn't too hard.  I also had to stop worrying so much over my free motion quilting and just do it.  Once I started using the needle like a pen  it went much better.  I keep forgetting that I doodle in most of my free time and all those shapes and curves translate nicely to free motion work.  I also decided that invisible thread is too much a hassle and switch to  poly and rayon threads again.  Much better - plus the bit of color worked nicely.

So here are the stats:
  • 36" by 25.5" uneven
  • hand dyed cotton, organza, angelina fibers 
  • free standing applique, rough edge applique
  • free motion quilted
  • inspired by the work of Ellen Anne Eddy
 Things I learned:
  1. I never  - ever want to do another figurative piece without having a clear vision of the composition before I lay one finger on fabric
  2. I really like creating free standing applique using felt and stabilizer as a base
  3. Organza really unravels easily - it needs more thread work or more misty fuse
  4. I learned how to do a corded binding for a uneven edged quilt


Speaking of that - the corded binding technique that Ellen teaches is quite easy.  You first trim out your quilt to the finished size.  Then you take #3 Crochet thread (white or black) and crouch it around the edge of the quilt using a zig-zag stitch.    With that done, you just satin stitch over the cord.  The only problem I had was that she used her button hole foot for the satin stitching.  I was all jazzed that I finally was going to be able to use one of my fancy foots that came with my machine.  Could I??? 
No!  That's because my machine has an automatic button hole stitch where all you you do is press a button and it makes it for you with this fancy button hole contraption!!  Who knew?!?!  I think they told me that when I bought my machine but Gosh - who really uses their  machine for clothing sewing?  (grin)

Anyways - it came okay.  I had to switch different feet and experiement with thread lengths, but it ended up decent enough.  Still I like a  smooth faced edge better.  With this quilt though and all the angelina thread embellishment - the rough edge is appropriate enough.  While I was working on it, I thought that the corded edge would work nicely on book markers that I like to do as presents.

So happily  with it blocked and labeled,  I will be officially done with this quilt.  Oh - anddddd - a whole week before my deadline.  Are you impressed?!  I'm just super happy to be moving onto the next project.  I mean over the moon peeing my pants happy really ecstatic to be putting this quilt to bed.

So what have you been up to creatively?

13 comments:

Glen QuiltSwissy said...

it is marvelous! I know you are happy:

1. ...it is finished
2. ...it is early
3. ...you don't have another one to do tomorrow!

MulticoloredPieces said...

Hi, Nina Marie. Congratulations on finishing and you have a good reminder--just sew a bit every day. LUV the quilting of the background--very cool. BTW, never say never! You might end up like me, in the middle of a monster composition that requires a lot of head scratching.
best, nadia

Deborah OHare said...

The photo in the sunshine really helps to show off the great stitching and texture in the piece.

annette said...

Gorgeous!! You're a marvel!

The Inside Stori said...

Nina.....the results were certainly worth the effort and I suspect upon reflection, all the hassles were worth it as you now have new skills to add to your construction possibilities for the next piece!

Heather Pregger said...

Wow, Nina-Marie, the lilies quilt is beautiful! And your watery textured quilting is perfect for it!

Gari in AL said...

This quilt turned out great, even with all the pain it took to make it. Wish I could see it in person for the 3D effect.

Margaret said...

Looks wonderful, Nina! Thanks for the info on the corded edge treatment. I too have an automatic button-holer so would have to use just my satin stitch. How many times 'round for coverage?

Linda Wulf Koenig said...

Thank you so much for this, you just gave me a great idea for the rolled hem of a dress I've been putting off altering. I'm a quilter, but this dress is for a wedding coming up in two weeks, and must be fixed. How timely! Thanks again!

Linda Wulf Koenig said...

Ha, I got so excited at the solution for my dress hem that I forgot to tell you how beautiful your quilt is! I love free motion, and the flowing, organic nature of your work is striking. Your sense of color is a definite wow factor as well. Lovely!!

Shannon said...

I'm so glad it's finished. I think it's lovely and I know how that composition struggle can just sap your love for a project.

The quilting is so nice! I think the loose free-form curves really complement the organic feel of the whole piece.

Hooray!

Sylvia said...

Congratulations on your finish! Double points for finishing a week early!

I love using a corded edge for the binding.

Amy @ Amy's FMQ Adventures said...

Congrats on beating your deadline and your work turned out lovely! I hear what you're saying about the composition; I like to "wing it" and sometimes that leads to "regret it"!

It's funny how different things work differently for different folks. I have no issues with monopoly, but rayon gives me fits!

Now I am off to read your post on habits and focus.....squirrel!