Tuesday, January 17, 2017

Vine Border Complete

It feels like the applique took an inordinately long time but that's not true. Improv machine piecing takes just as much time.

The border came out well. The cardinals look like birds... well, like folk art birds. The leaf fabrics worked well. I like the unrealistic, but mostly quiet colors. It's darker than the toile and quieter than the spiderwebs - exactly to plan.

Cardinals sit on a leafy vine border around two sides of this scrap spiderweb quilt.
Spiderweb quilt top with vine border

I'm considering another border. Partly because I prefer bed size quilts but also because it looks unfinished. Hmm.

Next week begins the AHIQ Improvisational Challenge. Each quarter we will introduce a quilt or technique that can be adapted as improvisationally as you choose. We hope you'll join us in our exploration of utility and improv quilting.



Enjoy the day, Ann

32 comments:

Quiltdivajulie said...

LIKE the way the appliqué border tied things all together. It will be interesting to see where and how you go with this if you add another border.

Monica said...

It turned out really well, Ann! So pretty. And it seems like it went quickly to me. :D

I am also in favour of making it bed sized. There's room for another border.

Nana said...

What size border are you considering? Do you have more of the yellow that was used in the inner border? The vine/toile borders are very beautiful.....blend extremely well. Keep going.

Sujata Shah said...

You are making me want to pull pout my old applique ideas and projects. This looks beautiful. I want to know what you will choose for another border too.

patty a. said...

Your border turned out lovely! I was confused and I thought you were going to applique on the printed fabric, but now I see your plan. Another border - well, that is going to take some thinking. I can't wait to see what you come up with.

I am looking forward to your quarterly introduction of a technique or quilt for the AHIQ.

LA Paylor said...

oh how pretty. So free and still organized. Nice blend there

Linda said...

love the way the new border came out. Will be interesting to see where you go with this from here.

Mel Beach said...

Your newly appliqued border just sparkles...love, love, love it!!

Cherie in St Louis said...

When you said darker than the toile and quieter than the spiderwebs, I got it! That's why it works so well.

Ariane said...

It's looking wonderful!

Julierose said...

this is a lovely border--I've never done a vine..after seeing your border, I may have to lol hugs, Julierose

Kaja said...

This has turned out really well! I am with you on the bed-sized thing, so it will be interesting to see where you take this next.

Mystic Quilter said...

Beautiful. I love the two different borders. I'm watching and waiting for the upcoming post for AHIQ - sounds good!

Ann said...

Thanks, Julie. It does change the look of the quilt, doesn't it?

Ann said...

Thanks, Monica. The older I get the more I want to make bed quilts. And I love working with borders.

Ann said...

Probably larger than this one. I can't think of a smaller one that will look proportional. I got lucky with those two fabrics; purchased years apart.

Ann said...

Your applique is so lush, Sujata. I hope you pick it up again.

Ann said...

I like that, LeeAnna. "Free and organized." Thanks.

Ann said...

Thank you, Patty. I'm glad your interested in the upcoming AHIQ technique.

Ann said...

Thanks, Linda. I wasn't sure quite how it would look. I've seen some partial borders but can't recall any that mix applique and printed cloth. I'm ready for another round, though.

Ann said...

How kind of you, Mel. I love the adjective "Sparkles."

Ann said...

Thank you, Cherie. I didn't want the border to overpower the spiderwebs but wasn't sure this was the correct combination of colors until it was done.

audrey said...

This is beautiful Ann and so perfect! Love the sparky little cardinals and the whimsical touch. Looking forward to seeing the next step.:)

Ann said...

Thanks, Ariane. It's good to hear from you.

Ann said...

I've always loved them but this is the first one I've done, too. Why did I wait so long? lol

Ann said...

Oh, good. Bed-sized is most useful to me. You can still wrap in it. I'm glad you like it so far, Kaja.

Ann said...

I was disappointed at first, Maureen, but now think it was a lucky break for me. If the vine extended on all sides it might have closed the quilt off too much.
I'm glad you're looking forward to our AHIQ ideas and hope you join in.

Ann said...

Thanks, Audrey. You were a big inspiration. I can't look at your applique any longer without adding some myself. It sure is fun! Your whimsical (as opposed to photo-realistic) drew me in. Very welcoming. Makes you want to wrap up in it.

Nifty Quilts said...

It looks GREAT to me!

Ann said...

Thanks, LeeAnn. Your quilts are always enticing so that means a lot to me.

Linda in Calif. said...

I love the quilt. I love the appliqued border and without being told I would think the little birds are cardinals. A+ for all the things you want this border to be.

Ann said...

Aw, thanks. I wasn't sure anyone but me could tell these are cardinals.