I spent a good part of last weekend working on quilt tops. I wanted to finish up several projects. Easily 20 years ago, I took a class on the "Smoothing Iron" Quilt. I chose fabric in tan, red and navy blue for the sample that I wanted to make. I got about half of the blocks pieced and set the project aside.
I'm from the "Waste not, want not" era and it bugs me to have unfinished projects hanging over my head, so I decided to work on the "Smoothing Iron" quilt again. I changed the dimensions in mid-stream, which necessitated adding blocks to the sides of the existing rows. I still have to add borders. I hope that Elegante Mother's sewing bee will accept this top for the church bazaar.
I've had four flower blocks on which EM and I have collaborated, pinned to the quilt wall. I finally decided that they needed to be sashed and bordered. Now that I have the top done, I think I need to trim the outer border. I feels as though it's overwhelming the center.
And, I thought I had finished all but the last row of the halloween quilt, until I realized that I'd put the last piece of border on upside down. (sigh) That's an easy problem to fix, and then I get to go to the fabric shop to look for fabric for the final border! YEA!!
I realized that I'd been working on some very unusual colors in one weekend! I took a picture yesterday so you could see what I mean:
Comments (7)
Thanks for including the photo, Buffy. The "smoothing iron" pattern is interesting, and I recall seeing the flowers, previously. As to the Halloween quilt: Why not let the wrong-side-upward border be your intentionally-left error? (From your lazy friend!)
Posted by Cop Car | April 8, 2007 2:00 PM
Posted on April 8, 2007 14:00
I know that my comments on quilts are difficult to understand without the pictures. In this case, you had to see the color to understand just how extremely different the projects were.
The smoothing iron quilt is not difficult to piece if your patches are cut correctly. The hard part is getting the intersection of the blocks to lie flat. I have to go back, and re-iron the seams, so that there isn't a huge lump of fabric all on one side where the six seams meet.
About the Halloween quilt....I'm going to compromise. I'll leave the border in place but turn the set blocks at both ends so that the pumpkins are facing up. If the quilt were on a bed, those pumpkins wouldn't matter to me, but if it hangs on the wall, the upside down pumpkins would bother me. Ever conservative...and more than a bit anal, I know. *G* Don't give up on me. Sooner or later I'll relax! lol
I was very glad to see your comment. I've missed our Internet connection so much that I even thought about calling you this weekend!
Posted by buffy | April 9, 2007 9:24 AM
Posted on April 9, 2007 09:24
Cop Car...what do you think...Are the outer borders on the little floral top too wide? I've been trying to decide if I need to cut them down a bit.
Posted by buffy | April 9, 2007 9:26 AM
Posted on April 9, 2007 09:26
There is nothing to "give up" on, in you. You are great--just as you are. That said, I think that the border on the floral top is just right. It really brings out the floral blocks.
Posted by Cop Car | April 10, 2007 8:35 AM
Posted on April 10, 2007 08:35
It is a special day for touring when you post pictures of your quilts. They are all so beautiful. I still favor the Halloween quilt most of all but perhaps that is because I think I could make one like that. The floral one is absolutely stunning, but less fascinating because I know I could never even hope to do a quilt that elaborate. Thanks for posting the pics. The quilts are all so cheery, bright, and just lovely.
Posted by Roberta S | April 10, 2007 3:38 PM
Posted on April 10, 2007 15:38
Thanks, Cop Car! I appreciate your advice, and your kind comments.
Roberta, nice to "see" you! The Halloween quilt has a special place in my heart. I enjoy those warm colors, and the fun prints. It's quite a far cry from my usual work. I'm glad you enjoyed them. *S*
Posted by buffy | April 10, 2007 6:41 PM
Posted on April 10, 2007 18:41
Oh, these are so beautiful Buffy. You really do magnificent work. I especially love the Halloween one...just gorgeous. I've been so busy with things since I got back in town...I'm so glad I didn't miss these pictures. Hope you've been well....and wonderful. -Joy
Posted by Joy | April 12, 2007 10:05 PM
Posted on April 12, 2007 22:05