Sunday, 12 September 2010

Stones Finished


So, I've finished the small A3 size quilt I started in Chris Kenna's workshop on Saturday. I'm rapt with the quilting and now that I've learnt how to do these contour lines with a neat back to the quilt I will be using a similar technique to finally quilt my large Delphinium I quilt. Hopefully in time to submit for Symposium next April.

Chris taught us to start with five small (0.5 stitch length) stitches before starting the row and finish again with another 5 small stitches. This produces a much neater back than using the automatic stitch finishing on either of my machines. Chris also suggested using an envelope turn to finish the edges rather than a binding - bindings can be proportionally too large on such a small quilt. To do this you take two pieces of fabric each the same width as the quilt and each about 2" or 3" longer than half the length of the quilt. Put the quilt face up on the table. Place the pieces of fabric face down on the top of the quilt matching the sides and top and bottom of the quilt so that the extra lengths overlap in the middle. Fold back 1" on both overlaps so that the edges will be finished when turned.  Pin in place. Sew a 1/4" seam around the outside edge of the quilt. Turn to the back. Press, making sure the backing does not show from the front. Slipstitch the opening closed. Finish with a row of stitching 1/4" from the edge.

Another thing I learnt from Chris was the motif used on quilting the sky. I should have done it smaller and it definitely needs practice to make it smoother but I'm glad to know how to do it.

6 comments:

emmad said...

very cool :)

nadeeka said...

It really is amazing! And all that detail in an A3 size!

Cindi said...

Beautiful. The quilting really gives movement to the hills and sky. Great job!

Ali Honey said...

That's really good. I would like to learn that quilting technique.
I am glad to say on the challenge I have just finished I used the pull through idea so no binding and I always use the little length stitches to start and stop with. - I have no faith in knots what so ever.( So I'm part way there , but there is always more one can learn and that is great and moves ones work forward to another stage. )

Helen said...

Well done, Janice. The rocks looks great. I haven't done anything more on mine. Exams this week so I have been marking every night.

Helen said...

PS, pardon my grammar slip