So pleased to show this week’s finish!! I love this quilt for a variety of reasons. The colors are just what I wanted for one. I have always loved a basic pallette using neutral colors. As I mentioned earlier, I then decided I wanted to put a pop of red it. The more I played with this, the more I liked that red. Thus the addition of the large red heart!
The biggest reason though is that it is my own. The design is simple but it came from me; I didn’t use anyone’s pattern and that is absolutely a first. I used straight line quilting going in several directions. The hearted was densely quilted with lines about 1/2″ apart. I used the edge of the walking foot as my guide for that. The body of the quilt has straight lines going through each square, both horizonally and vertically. I started out marking each line with my Hera Marker but after a while, I got used to the patterns in the fabric and used those to guide me along and just freehanded it. Much simpler and very freeing!
I took my time with this and didn’t rush to finish it. I did get antsy when I was quilting it and again when I was burying the threads around the red heart. I reminded myself to relax and enjoy the process and it was so nice. I loved every bit of it – even the annoying tasks like cleaning up the myriad little threads all over the back before sandwiching it. Even (and especially) sewing the binding to the back. I do love the process. I think part of the issue is that I feel like I should crank something out so I have “something” to write a post about. This was in the back of my mind but really, even though this blog is something I truly enjoy, I don’t want to be cranking out finishes just so I have a post. That doesn’t make any sense to me.
After I got the quilting finished up, I was looking at it trying to decide how I wanted to bind it. I had enough of the fabric from the backing to use as binding but I was torn between using that and using the red fabric from the heart. Finally I remembered a post I had read a long while back over at Persimon Dreams. She had placed a very narrow flange on the quilt before binding it to add a pop of color. Yay-it was the perfect solution. I commented on that particular post and Kim was so kind to send me a quick email explaining how she did it. (So, actually part of this quilt was inspired by another but that’s ok. I want to give credit where credit is due.) Adding the flange took very little time and I think the effect it provides is wonderful.
If you haven’t ever done a flange, it is very easy. I cut strips that were one inch wide of the contrasting red fabric. Then I sewed them together, just as one would with a binding strip. Fold it in half and press so you are left with a 1/2″ wide folded strip. (Kim used a 3/4″ strip ending up with a 3/8″ folded piece but I wanted something a little bit wider.) Once you have the flange prepared, attach it to the quilt’s raw edge on the top side. Sew it to the quilt using a VERY scant 1/4″ seam. I used a longer stitch (my Janome was set to 3.5 stitch length) which made attaching it a breeze. Then attach your binding as usual. Be sure to hand stitch the binding to the back. If you machine stitch it, those stitches will show on the flange. Easy peasy! If you have any questions, let me know in the comments.
Yep, this was a great finish and I will be gifting it to someone soon. That is the best part – giving it away and giving someone the joy of a cozy quilt. Hope the recipient loves it.
Linking to Sew Bittersweet Designs as this is my March finish for ALYOF. Yahoo for setting a goal (I had better plan my projects for April soon.) Also linking to Freemotion by the River and Let’s Bee Social.
Love the quilt with the little pops of red.
And your timing getting Jeannette s horses was super. You have to show her.
How did the work on the cabin go this week ? ?
Finish the curtains ? ?
I thought of you when I took the pic with the horses in the background. They are so pretty. Glad you liked the quilt, that means a lot to me.
We didn’t get up to the cabin as we’d expected. Julia had a virus so we stayed home. Over Easter break we will go though and I’ll show pictures of the curtains!
xo,
Bernie
Look at all those yummy neutral fabrics. Love it.
Thank you Cindy! Very sweet to say so. Have a great rest of your week.
Kind regards,
Bernie
Oh, this turned out just right. I love the repetition of the red in the flange. That last picture with the poppies is gorgeous and will be a lovely reminder of your quilt after you give it away. I’m with you about trying to get something done just to have a post. For a little while I felt like the blog was running my quilting instead of the other way around, and it reminded me too much of work instead of the joy of playing with fabric. It will be interesting to see how blogging goes with the beautiful weather approaching–how much will I really have to blog about? I’ve decided that it’s okay to just share bits of projects as they happen.
Thanks Janine! I’m curious about summer too. Gets to be a busier time of year with our garden and having Julia out of school. We shall see! It is all about the joy of the fabric!
Take care,
Bernie
This turned out beautifully! I love the red flange; it’s perfect. I am sure your recipient is going to love it!!
The flange worked out well, right? The right amount of red popping through on the border. Thanks Caf.
Love, B.
That pic with the ranunculus is gorgeous!!! You are getting so artsy, sis!!
Thanks Tina. I like the picture as well – not quite as dramatic as Cathy’s fields of ranunculus but I am enjoying my pot on the deck. 🙂
Love, B.
Beautiful job Bernie. You should enter the last picture with the flowers and quilt in ou localr fair this summer.
Hi Vickie!
Thanks so much – I have never thought of my pictures as “fair-worthy”! I appreciate the compliment. Hope all is well with you.
Take care,
Bernie
Love the quilt and the pops of red. Flange is a funny word : )
Haha, yes, kind of a funny word! Glad you like it though.
❤️B.
I love the beautiful photos you captured of this quilt and great detail with the flange. I recently did a flange on a pillow and got my proportions just right which was neat since the first time I did a flange the proportions were all off and now I have this awkward white floppy thing at the edge of the quilt…live and learn 🙂
The flange I made is so narrow. I think that is why it worked well. Only 1/4″ of width shows. I want to try it again. I like the way it looks. Thanks for stopping by!
Bernie
This turned out great, Bernie! The heart almost looks like a corduroy with the dense quilting. I love the red little bits throughout, and the flange with the binding. I’m going to have to try that! Are those your horses or a neighbor’s? Either way, your pictures are gorgeous.
I love the flange too. Definitely will do that again. I like the effect it has on the quilt. The horses are my neighbor’s. We get to enjoy them and don’t have to feed them.
I really love this quilt and the fact that it’s your own design makes it really special. Your photography is really nice, too. Making the flange was the perfect decision!
Thanks so much Sandy. I really appreciate the compliments. Thanks for stopping by.
Great original design! Love the subtle, calm colors, and the amount of red is just perfect.
Thank you Anita! I appreciate the compliments. So glad you like the color palette. I am really happy with it.
Enjoy your weekend,
Bernie