Saturday, February 25, 2017

Outlining the Stars

 I bordered the stars with straight stitching. Each star has its own stitching. Lots of threads to tie off.

Stars bordered with walking foot stitching
Here's the view from the back.

View of stitching from the back

Next step will be to fill in the spiderwebs and stars. I may use the same method for the spiderwebs as Suhavi's Stars but I'm thinking about different FMQ designs for the stars themselves.

I'm plugging away on the Sampler quilt. Someone suggested I fold and baste the edges to keep them from fraying and the batting from becoming dirty. 

Edges folded and basted to keep them tidy and clean

Given that this quilt is twenty-nine years old and still unfinished, that's the best advice I've ever been given!

Tuesday is our next AHIQ linkup. I have #AHIQChineseCoins to share. Do you?
  


See you then.

Enjoy the day, Ann

26 comments:

Cathy said...

Looks like you are moving right along on those Spider Webs. Just the thought of burying all those threads...well, I don't want to think about that.

I've seen where other quilters fold and baste the backing and batting but I never do.

I won't have a Chinese Coins for AHIQ ready but I accepted the challenge and have some bits and pieces for show and tell!

KaHolly said...

Your spiderwebs are coming along so nicely. However you decide to quilt them, they'll be perfect! You always do such a nice job! XO

JoniStrother said...

I too am quilting a cobweb quilt. You inspired me to add a border and applique. Not as much applique as your beautiful version, but a little to jazz up my unpieced border. Your quilt elevates the lowly string quilt!

Linda @ kokaquilts said...

Love all your quilting! I checked out the link, so there's still lots more quilting planned?

Angie in SoCal said...

Love how the spider webs quilt is turning out. I did that to my 29 year old project, too, just 29 years ago. I found that tip in the quilt book I was using to put the quilt together. It does work. Hoping to finish mine in April - on the last side of last border. If not, then September for the 30th when I started it.

Ann said...

I am not sure why I've always buried threads except that I hate the idea of them coming loose. Ah, well. And this is the only quilt on which I ever folded the edge. Since it's a lucky break for me since it still not finished. (Maybe not. If the edges were ruined years ago I might have tossed it.)
My Coins quilt won't be finished by then either but there's still lots of time.

Ann said...

Thanks, Karen. Sometimes it seems like larger quilts need a bit more quilting just to hold things together against the greater weight of fabric.

Ann said...

Oh, cool! I can't wait to see it. It's old-fashioned but I do like borders.

Ann said...

Well, this quilt seems to need more quilting simply to keep the weight of the fabric from pulling the seams. I wish I'd cross-hatched it like yours. Not sure much of this will show on busy fabric. Sometimes I need my head examined.

Ann said...

We are lucky or smart to have wrapped the edges. As long as they have taken, these quilts would have been a real mess without that step. Good luck with your finish.

em's scrapbag said...

The spiderweb quilt is fabulous!

Ann said...

Thanks, Emily.

Mary Marcotte said...

Loving your spiderweb quilt, Ann. I remember that quilt in the link and thought at the time you were very smart to figure out how to avoid breaks. I tried your method on a quilt later and found it very encouraging. By all means figure out another motif with no breaks!

JanineMarie said...

I'll be watching to see how you do those stars and spiderwebs. I've been trying to decide how to quilt some large hexagons and might use your work as inspiration. I may have some coinage to share--but most of it is being held captive in my mind right now. 🙂

Ann said...

Since I feel compelled to bury threads I try really hard to find continuous designs or at least ones that run off the end of the quilt. And then... I like something that starts and stops. Go figure.
The petal design on Suhavi's can move from web to web without stopping if you don't finish the final half lap until you're coming back. Make sense? But... it's a bit difficult on a quilt this large so I'll probably sew each web individually.
I'm glad you found this ditch quilting method helpful.

Ann said...

There have been several Modern books recently about filling in specific shapes. Many are quite dense since they are quilted on solids. (Just in case mine doesn't fit your need.)
Held captive in your mind. Ha. I have some in a similar state. Trying to finish this current one as a housewarming gift before I start more. I'm afraid I'll lose these "brilliant ideas." I wish there was a pinterest for my mind.

Mel Beach said...

The quilted echoes are lovely and will be well worth the effort of burying thread tails. Can't wait to see how you fill in each starry area!

Quiltdivajulie said...

Yes, I'll have a coins post to share on Tuesday -- I had hoped to have a quilted quilt but life changed that pie-in-the-sky plan. Your spiderweb quilt is gorgeous!

Ann said...

I wish I'd taken your class already, Mel. It will need lots of help.

Ann said...

I'm behind on mine, too. I've enjoyed your Instagram posts and look forward to reading the details.

Linda @ kokaquilts said...

It will look wonderful!

patty a. said...

You are making good progress on both quilts. I bury my threads as I go so they are not all left at the end. I keep a big needle on a magnet on my light so I always know where it is. I haven't done anymore on my Chinese coin quilt since the 19th, but I have an simple idea I want to try out so I will show that tomorrow.

Ann said...

Yay. I can't wait to see it and all the other ideas people come up with. Thanks.

Mystic Quilter said...

Oh so beautiful Spiderweb quilt and the way you're quilting fits perfectly.

Nancy @ Grace and Peace Quilting said...

Love your spiderweb quilt! I've wanted to make one, also. So colorful!

Stephie said...

I love the soft prints you've picked for the back of your spiderweb Ann, a calming contrast to the front. Unlike all that thread burying! That was great advice for protecting the edge of your sampler quilt - are you using a hoop?