Tuesday, January 26, 2021

Finally Adding Flowers

People overestimate what they can do in a single day and 
underestimate what they can do in their whole lives.
~unknown but possibly Bill Gates


Quilting


With the vines and leaves finally sewn, it's time to sew the flowers. There have been several iterations as you can see by the "cut and paste" of the template under this border. After recopying the entire swag once, I wore out and simply cut the old flower out and taped a new version in. Why? Because the petals extended too far and ended at the edges of the border fabric. 

The flower base that covers the vine end was simplified, too. It's now a unique three lobed shape without specific leaf structures.

One tulip version had three separate petals that were too difficult to deal with. And I don't think they used less fabric than this simple bowl. It's definitely easier to sew this one that fits over the base easily. Since hand-quilting is not planned, the extra thickness shouldn't matter.  

A lightbox is used to place tulip petals on the border.
Lining up the tulip petals

Then a teardrop petal was appliquéd on top. After looking at several placements, I matched the base of the teardrop with the base of the cup but the three petal points are lined up with the drawing underneath.

Basted tulip petal is pinned in place on an applique border
Pinning the final tulip petal

Here are two of the vines extending from the center vase. The quiet speckled green print was a gift from my friend, Gayle. Thank you. There wouldn't have been enough leaves without that addition. 

Two vines extend from a blue vase in this applique quilt border
Vine and leaf detail

And here's one side of the shorter border. Wow, that pink stands out. 

Two vines with pink tulips extend from a blue vase in this applique quilt border
Half of a vessel and vine border

Do you see the rabbit in the vase print? I'm still considering re-applying the base of the vase. That curve is off a smidge.

QS gifted me some owl fabric at Christmas. Ever since college, my sisters notice and send any and all owls they encounter. This heavier linen blend made a simple, useful tote.

Tote with brown owl print and yellow


Monthly FUR (Fabric Use Rate) 

A kawandi placemat and the tote were finished in January. We are in the middle of home repairs so sewing slowed significantly. YTD = 2 yards.

Electric Socket Shock QAL

The first post is next week. Are you ready? I can't wait to see what everyone does with this basic block.  

Did you see it? The Iowa Quilt Museum has a new exhibit, String Theory, about... {wait for it}... string quilts. How timely is that? Works from the ten quilters and collectors in the show include my friends Sujata Shah, Fern Royce, and Rod Kiracofe.  

Curator Linzee McCray defines string quilts as "thin lengths of fabric sewn onto a foundation." They are usually considered utilitarian as evidenced by the random foundation papers on the backs of unfinished tops. The technique lends itself to "happy accidents and intricately planned designs alike." 

The first Zoom meeting was last week and featured Rod with Siobahn Furguson discussing their quilts.  More meetings are planned on Tuesdays at noon CST. You can sign up on the museum's website. {I'd link it here but it's not https. Doggone it. So look up their name.} They also plan a gallery walk online for $6 - the regular admission price. I can't wait and only wish I could attend in person!

Enjoy the day, Ann

18 comments:

Julierose said...

Just a lovely vase of flowers--very graceful arching over like that--nice work hugs, Julierose

Quiltdivajulie said...

Thanks for the exhibit info!

Kaja said...

I like how your tulips look like they've grown long and then arched over in the vase. Thanks for the exhibit info - I'd never find this sort of thing without being pointed in the right direction.

LA Paylor said...

love that quote, pretty applique work (I have to do some today)

Robin said...

The tulips are so lovely. I really like the fabrics you have chosen for the leaves. There are so many things we can't do, like got to the string exhibit. But, we can quilt to our hearts content until our confinement ends.

patty a. said...

The border is looking wonderful! I love the pop of color with those pink tulips! You have made a lot of progress and I can't wait to see the entire top when it is done. I think the little off curve of the vase is charming.

QuiltGranma said...

Love your vines and flowers!

Ann said...

Thanks, Julie.

Ann said...

I can’t wait to see it online.

Ann said...

Whenever I have tulips at home, the end up looking like that. Perhaps not as graceful.
It’s a full time job trying to discover events online, isn’t it?

Ann said...

I like the way appliqué looks although I rarely do it. Need to change that. Have fun with yours, LeeAnna.

Ann said...

Thank you, Robin. I’m trying to find more things online since we aren’t attending anything in person. We are fortunate to have loads of work that interests us at home. We don’t ever have to wait for someone else to entertain us.

Ann said...

Thanks, Patty. With so many colors in the center, the border seemed to call for a limited palette. And now I wonder about it.

Ann said...

Thanks. Appliqué sure is fun.

Preeti said...

You are adding flowers and I am smiling for all the color. Spring must be around the corner.

Ann said...

Spring can’t come soon enough.

Mystic Quilter said...

Ann your vase and vine, even though you're showing us only a half here is stunning!

Ann said...

Thanks, Maureen. It's my take on an antique quilt border I saw once upon a time.