Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Neutral Strings Quilt and AHIQ #20

After washing and rebinding this quilt, most of the waviness is tamed. Not gone. It's worked into the interior though and doesn't show as much on the edges.

Love the striped binding. Remember it was printed with bias stripes so it's cut straight but appears to be bias. That straight of grain binding also helps tame waviness.

Neutral Strings baby quilt finished

Quilt Details
Size: 38" x 38"
Design: String
Batting: Mountain Mist Cream Rose 100% cotton
Thread: Guterman tan cotton
Quilting: Spiral design with walking foot

Oddly, this was the dregs of the scrap bag - what I call the "swash zone" - that stuff you leave each time you empty the bag. It's turned into one of my favorite quilts.

My biggest mistake was pulling the quilt package as the walking foot wound the spiral. I should have placed my hands to offset the bias stretch rather than emphasize it. If I'd done that the quilt would lie as flat as each layer did.

The waviness should continue to wash out at the quilt is used. Fortunately it's designed to be used and washed frequently.

Previous posts:
  1. Piecing the top
  2. Piecing the back with Stephie's scraps
  3.  Spiral quilting
Last quarter AHIQ worked through Chinese Coin variations. Check last month's linkup for enlightening results and ideas by other quilters. I've been preparing for our show, traveling, or fighting a cold most of this month so haven't progressed much on my CCII. I know many of you are still finishing yours and hope you link more this month.

The best news is IT'S KAJA'S TURN to lead the #AHIQ2017Invitational! This quarter she will be sharing an improv method that's been striking her fancy recently. I can't wait to read the details and start learning from this master improvisational quilter. Head over to Kaja's Sew Slowly blog for all the details.

Enjoy the day, Ann

InLinkz removed because it was hacked.

28 comments:

KaHolly said...

It's a very striking quilt! Difficult to believe it was made from the dregs of the scrap bag! Just goes to show you!

Quiltdivajulie said...

Lovely finish - and I've just come from Kaja's post. This quarter promises to be just as much fun as the first quarter!

Ann said...

I was just about to toss them. They'd been winnowed several times and these were the dullest of the dull.

Ann said...

I think she was very clever to give two suggestions: start something new or build on the previous quarter. Overwhelming UFO piles are the scourge of us all. But mostly I look forward to her much freer and more improvisational style. Mine was almost "dipping a toe in the water."

patty a. said...

hope you are feeling better and I feel your pain! I am glad I got my Chinese coin done when I did because this month was a wreck - two weeks of exhaustion from moving from one trailer to another at work, dealing with closing out Dad's estate, and too many phone calls from toxic people. I am ready to get back in the groove and have some creative fun including participating in this quarter's project.

Ann said...

I'm so sorry you had such a tough month. When life gets this bad, we do need to find small ways to have fun whether reading, walking or sewing. Each event this year has been difficult because it's the first time without our sisters. I keep trying to remember happier times.

Monica said...

Yes, I totally love this string quilt too. The fabrics all work so beautifully together. I am really turning back to high contrast quilts like this one. It's funny how we swing back and forth over time!

I like the Pinterest board you both made this time. Lots to think about!

Janie said...

Great finish, a true scrappy look, I love it!
Thanks for doing AHIQ, you and Kaja, a lot of sharing and inspiration,
wonderful idea.
I look forward to it, even if I have to scramble or I'm not quite ready.
The challenge is good for me.

Ann said...

It is funny how we swing back and forth. I love the pastels then these high contrast, then something red.
The Pinterest board helped us keep many different quilt ideas together.I always enjoy how Kaja and others see quilts. So enlightening. And I do like when the tops are organized by some criterion. It sparks more ideas for me than a random collection. I'm glad you liked it.

Ann said...

How kind of you, Janie. Kaja and I were just emailing that quarterly still seems fast. We knew monthly was way too much. Like you, we scramble to move ahead with the challenges. I think when it's our own (non-challenge) work we feel free to stop and start. Sometimes that extra time helps clarify ideas; other times things just get lost. Ah, well.
I'm so glad you're joining us on these adventures.

Kaja said...

I particularly like the way your two darkest corners have different characters, one browner, one clearly black and white, yet they sit together well in the quilt. I think it's the placement of the black and white strips in the pale blocks that holds it together.

Ann said...

Looking at it again, I think you're correct. The bits of black (and tan) on each side of the white section "zip" it up a bit. That's certainly better than a harsh line that would have resulted without them. Thanks.

audrey said...

Great find for the binding! The cut on the bias look gives the quilt that extra bit of punch. So interesting that this lovely quilt came from the dregs too. Something to think about in the future!

Linda @ kokaquilts said...

A lovely string quilt! I really like the colours you have used, those 'swash zone' fabrics are something a bit different! Thanks for joining in with 'sew stitch snap SHARE'

Ann said...

I wish I'd bought yards of it. Very useful. This is almost the last.
I'm of two minds about the dregs. It's such a beautiful quilt but I was almost ready to ditch them. You realize, I'll be saving every scrap forever in case this serendipitous result happens again. Grr.

Ann said...

What fun you will have with the linky party. Especially working with a partner. Enjoy!

Cathy said...

I must be spending too much time in the garden...looks like a stepping stone path through rich garden soil ready for planting!

Congrats on using up those dregs. Who knew?

LethargicLass said...

Those strings are some of my favourite colours, lovely!

Lisa J. said...

I love the colour placement in your quilt.

Ann said...

I replanted two pots but have three more to do. What a lovely vision you have. Thanks.

Ann said...

They certainly had more design than I realized.

Ann said...

Thanks,Lisa. It was a lucky chance.

Mystic Quilter said...

I love all the string quilts you have made, each one using a wonderful selection from your scrap bin.

Ann said...

It was good to have it empty for a short while. It's full again although I wish they were as colorful as your scraps.

JanineMarie said...

I love this quilt--and I think it will be very at home in a modern nursery--think of one with mushroom colored walls and light blue accents. It's good to know the wonkiness came under control with your binding and that washing will take care of whatever's left. Most of my quilts end up with a bit of wonkiness at the edges. For the most part it doesn't bother me--especially if they are going to be used, but the waves always seem to be exaggerated in photos.

Ann said...

I think you're corrrect and someone with a modern vibe will enjoy this quilt. You're also right that quilts look waiver when photographed. But this one had a terrible set of waves that were all my fault. I'm mortified. A good lesson to me, though.

Nancy said...

That's a great quilt you made. It's can be a challenge to work with bias edges but it looks like you did a fine job.

KaHolly said...

I'm revisiting this post because I'm getting ready to quilt a top made from making 4 HSTs at a time, and it has a tendency to be pretty stretchy. Spirals were my first choice, but now I'm rethinking my approach.