Tuesday, February 9, 2021

Sewing Borders on the Shadow Star Quilt

Sisters are the perfect best friend.

Quilting


Unraveling on the edges of the completed borders drove me to attach the first three before finishing the fourth side. Here's the first side sewn.

First border sewn on Shadow Stars quilt top
First Vase and Vine border on Shadow Stars quilt

The next step was to sew the opposite side then to sew the third side, longer to accommodate the width of those border sides. An additional vine helps fill the space. 

Adding third Vase and Vine border
to Shadow Stars quilt

But there's a small problem. Someone stretched this side when creating the sketch. {I wonder who that could be?} It's not just that the seam allowances were forgotten. So... I'll be moving the final flower and perhaps a couple of leaves. 

A second flower unit is overlaid on the first to test moving of the applique
Testing adjustment of flower to fit side of quilt

With a petal from the fourth side, I tested the needed movement. This will take a couple of days. 


Reading

I finished several books in the past few weeks.

The Red Address Book by Sofia Lundberg relates the life of Doris Alm in flashbacks as she pages through her old address book. Born in Sweden, she became a maid in Madame Serafin's house upon the untimely death of her father. Madame took her to Paris where... Well, read the book for more. The vignettes are short; some characters repeat. Although her life spans 96 years the story only brushes world history.

Benjamin Franklin's 13 virtues have long interested me. Gretchen has the same interest bet she created her own set of virtues to guide her through a school year in Happier at Home. Like the quote from Ursula LeGuin's Left Hand of Darkness, Gretchen sees both sides of the coin can increase our happiness (or discontent.} So collecting and purging, staying home and going out, limiting time and taking all the time are all included in this book.

I'm much older than she but found some thoughtful ideas in her mix of "memoir, science, philosophy, and experimentation." 

My Bed by Salley Mavor is a permanent part of my collection of children's books. Salley illustrates her books with tiny, meticulous hand stitched 3D bas-reliefs of children sleeping around the world. As a maker I adore her work. As a grandmother I love the inclusion of world cultures to raise my grandchildren's awareness and appreciation of others.

Enjoy the day, Ann

30 comments:

JoniStrother said...

Ann, the overall effect of this quilt is just stunning. I've been crazy over these stars since you began and I'm thrilled with how you showcased them!

Cindy said...

Like the Shadow Stars were not amazing enough, you add this SPECTACULAR vase border!!!!! Oh how I love this!

Juliana said...

The borders on your star quilt are just perfect! I love how the colors of the flowers seem to give even more movement to the quilt pattern because the eye is drawn to the repeat of the flower color in the star blocks. Also, I really like Gretchen Ruben. I too am much older than she, but being deliberate about making happiness and contentment in one's life is not limited to any age: it's for all of us. Hooray for Salley Mavor! Her work is absolutely amazing!

Sally Langston Warren said...

Your quilt is gorgeous! What a colorful but relaxing choice of fabrics. Love that striped fabric in the borders. It’s the perfect backdrop for your beautiful appliqué. Thank you for the book reviews. I find it impossible to get rid of old addresses in my address book. So interesting to see how people have moved about, many have died, some I would have forgotten about if not for their presence in my book. Love Sally Mavor’s work. I haven’t seen this new book but I do have her “Mary had a Little Lamb” which I adore. I haven’t read any of Gretchen Ruben’s work, but it sounds inspiring. Funny how, as we get older, we pay more attention to whether the writers are older or younger. I find myself doing the same.

LA Paylor said...

I loved the individual blocks when I saw them here at first, then together they were stunning now with all the applique the quilt reminds me of the ones in drawers at the Smithsonian!

Quiltdivajulie said...

Oh, how beautiful!! The borders are perfect (such gorgeous vines and leaves). And thanks for the book recommendation (My Bed) - I've just ordered a copy for our grandson.

Robin said...

Wow! You really knew what this quilt middle needed. The border makes the center shine and can stand on it own as well. It's kind of a magician's trick. Lovely lovely lovely.

Julierose said...

Love that applique border you've added all round...so graceful. Lovely work hugs, Julierose

Mystic Quilter said...

Ann words fail me! Your borders are stunning and complement the Shadow Stars beautifully, I'm so looking forward to see a full photo with all borders in place, Julierose has the perfect word to describe them - graceful, I can't better that!

patty a. said...

That border is fabulous!

Mel Beach said...

The stars sparkle and that border has major wow factor!!

Kaja said...

The colours of this are very pleasing and although it is a stunner this also seems like a quilt it would be very easy to live with. I like where your current interest in applique is taking you.

Marie said...

Oh my! Those borders are fantastic and a lovely counter balance to your gorgeous stars.

audrey said...

This is looking amazing! So sorry about the 'oops'. Wouldn't you know it? Just when it was looking like serious progress!!

Ann said...

Joni, How wonderful to hear from you. I'm glad you like the quilt top. It's certainly taken a long time.

Ann said...

Thanks, Cindy. You are very kind.

Ann said...

Thank you, Juliana. I wasn't certain how all the leaves would look with so few flowers but am glad to know it works. Sally Mavor's work is so detailed. A treat that they have been made into vignettes for books where we can all enjoy them.

Ann said...

Thanks you, Sally. When my husband mentioned how "white" the quilt was I knew it needed a different color for the border. It seems to update this pretty traditional design.
My address books are finally history and I miss them. People do move around and many are now gone. But the addresses were good reminders of my happy past.
Gretchen is a talented, thoughtful writer. Sometimes we have slightly different needs/wants when we are at different stages of our lives.

Ann said...

Wow, LeeAnna. What a compliment. I am glad to finally have made this pattern that my great-aunt had and even happier that the border has worked out.

Ann said...

Thanks, Julie. Let me know how your grandson enjoys it. I think you will enjoy discussing the various locations and also the sewing techniques and supplies she used. We quilters get double duty from books like this. :-)

Ann said...

How kind of you, Robin. I enjoy adding borders and often think our detailed centers need more attention in the frame/border. I'm glad it's finally worked out.

Ann said...

Thanks you, Julie. It's taken much too long but I'm glad to have found a solution.

Ann said...

You make me feel better, Maureen. I've been a bit hesitant about the borders. You know I tried pieced trees a while back and those bombed. I can't believe it's almost done now.

Ann said...

Thanks, Patty.

Ann said...

The border makes the stars look better to me. Not so lost on all that white.

Ann said...

I planned this with so much white to be a summer quilt for our bed. I hope DH enjoys it, too, because I can't wait to put it on when the weather warms.

Ann said...

Thanks, Marie. It's a treat to get back to some applique after all these years.

Ann said...

Thanks, Audrey. I'm annoyed about the oops but already have the unsewing done. Hopefully it will come together soon. And I'll be more careful in future.

Pamela said...

What a fabulous quilt! The Red Address Book looks like an interesting read.

Ann said...

Thanks, Pamela. The Red Address Book was the author's first novel. Wonderful idea but ups and downs reading it like most first novels.