Tuesday, September 26, 2017

AHIQ25: Use Your Words

Today's the last day for this invitation to use your words on quilts but it won't be my last time to use this technique. Summer vacations put quilting on hold but hopefully you had some time to work on a project or at least to think about a future project. There are so many ways to incorporate words and letters: applique or pieced, free-hand or accurately.

I've been focusing more on the mechanical "how" of adding words but what you choose to add is even more important. What moves you to creativity? A poem, a family scene, a political commentary? There is no ambiguity about your meaning when it's written.


Phillies Quilt Back

This is becoming a two-sided quilt. I made the words into sentences, added a new phrase, and now need to fit them all into a back. It must be large enough yet not cut any words off so I pieced it with the top underneath.

Pulling all my neutrals, I first placed smaller bits where they might best fill in. I'm finding I like the effect of turning the corner with the same fabric. Look at the white above and to the right of Phillies for an example. Odd, because my original idea was to NOT sew same fabrics together.

Arranging sentences to fill a quilt back

Probably because they were left-adjusted on the wall, that arrangement became my favorite. Except the "for who" line was too long. I considered right adjusting the answering line but... No, that's too much trouble.

There was one puzzle piece, the stripe below "my teammates" which required partial seams. Not too hard. Fortunately, I had switched to ruler use and squaring the fabric as soon as the words were together. It was easy to determine the size of that rectangular bit.

At this point, the back is still too small by about ten-inches lengthwise and fifteen-inches widthwise. Since I've never been very interested in matching front and back (and don't want to risk cutting off any letters) I intend to frame the sentences. Here are three fabrics I considered for for a border. While I like the black and white best, I don't want anything to compete with the words. The red might disguise the beginning letters too much. What's left? White.

Choosing fabrics to frame the quilt back

Unfortunately there wasn't quite enough white so the lower right has the last bit of that white-and-blue from the sashing plus two shirting remnants. I know one is from a trip to NYC but have no idea where there other came from.

Phillies baseball quilt back features team phrases
Finished back for Phillies quilt

Yes, I'm deliberately cutting off the top line again to give the recipient privacy. Above his name is a band of white. The top and back are ready to go and the back is larger than the front by at least two-inches on each side. Hopefully this will make basting a breeze.

What does the front look like? Here it is, covering the design wall.

Phillies baseball player quilt in red, blue and white
Philadelphia Phillies quilt
Woo hoo. I'm ready to baste and quilt!

PS: I know there are two sixes on the shirts. One is for a Phillies player while the other played at LSU (Louisiana State University) when the FO was there. {Actually, three of these numbers represent LSU players.}

Enjoy the day, Ann

InLinkz removed because it was hacked.

20 comments:

Gale Bulkley said...

It's fabulous.

Grandma said...

Awesome!

patty a. said...

I never had time to even start on a quilt with lettering unless you count the one I am working on now that already had lettering! It is am improve quilt and it has "built-in" lettering so I will go ahead and add the link. Your Phillies quilt is fabulous! I love all the detail you have put into it.

Kaja said...

This must be the ultimate personalised quilt. I'm glad to hear you'll think about adding lettering again - it has so many possibilities.

Quiltdivajulie said...

Posting from my phone with a sick sleeping 13 mo. old grandson in my lap -- your quilt is incredible! Mine is nearly a flimsy - will share it later in the week if Little Man is able to go back to school.

Robin said...

It is pretty amazing! I love the brightness of the complimentary colors, I love he whimsy of the lettering, but my favorite element is the combination of fabrics in the sashing. it just hits the spot. Nice job!

audrey said...

This is the best 'sports' quilt. So many great details and the colors just pop! You really made it fun and I wasn't sure that was even possible! lol And I say that with experience, having made one years ago for my husband! Thanks for a great challenge. The words have really made me think. It's possible you have inspired me to put words on the back of my quilt too.

Ann said...

Thanks, Gale. I think FO will like it. My son says he will.

Ann said...

Thanks!

Ann said...

You have been busy. I'm very intrigued by your feed sacks and particularly like that you didn't cut them up (except the one cutter/filler.) Highlighting the words with quilting is a stellar plan. Your quilting looks wonderful. Are you using a long arm or regular machine?

Ann said...

One choice led to another. I think it's very quirky and look forward to the next one.

Ann said...

I hope your darling grandson is all better now. What a joy that you are close enough to keep him when he's too sick for school. I look forward to your next quilt.

Ann said...

You've got a point, Robin. I wanted red sashing then thought the shoes would blend in to it. Totally serendipitous how well the bright white with blue sets off the rest of the quilt. Thanks for writing.

Ann said...

I think I got lucky here. This isn't my team or colors but perhaps being an outsider helped. I have always admired stick figure quilt blocks and have seen several with kids, dolls, women over the years. It was a treat to finally draft one of my own.
I think I like words on the back of quilts almost better than the front. For me at least. Other people have a better way with words (Kaja and Lynne.) Their work deserves front page placement. They are a bit tedious but when finding the right phrases helped pull me through. I like your design, too. It's sweet and sturdy - seems like you.

Cathy said...

What a quilt! How original, creative and fun. The FO is very lucky to be the recipient of this Ann original.

Nifty Quilts said...

Really fun quilt, Ann! The back is as good as the front. It's nothing but happy all over. Nice to see these days.

Ann said...

So kind of you. I never have any idea how these will turn out. It's always nice when they are better than expected.

Ann said...

Thanks, LeeAnna. I enjoyed making both sides. It's always fun to try new things.

Mystic Quilter said...

Oh congratulations on a wonderful quilt Ann and lots of ;links I see - I'm missing again - been ill for 10 days but I will try for next time!!

Ann said...

Thanks, Maureen. I like the wide variety of original and utility quilts people link up each month. So much food for thought. I hope you're well on the mend now.