Slow Stitching
Recently, there have been red and white (R&W) quilts featured in blog land. Coincidentally, there has been a R&W top lounging around in the closet just waiting to be finished. A few good excuses have delayed its completion.
First, I couldn't decide on a border. My preference is to add a border to my quilts as IMHO it frames the quilt. There were a couple ideas in mind which are not worthy of elaborating. Finally, it occurred to me that the R&W did not need a border as it is more of a contemporary-style quilt. All it needs is a nice binding which is To Be Determined ;-) after being quilted. Today's slow stitching project will be hand basting.
In preparation, I realized that I have not yet trimmed the loose threads. Uh....there are many errant reds from all the border style auditions and lounging around ;-) Fortunately, February's weather is cooperating and we have had a couple nice sunny days.
Perfect when the winter sun shines on the kitchen table for easy-to-spot loose threads. Heaven forbid a naughty red thread should show through the white squares.
Lucky me, I have an extra pair of eyes ;-)
If Mittens is too helpful, I may have to switch over to London stitching which I started last week. It's a pleasure to do detailed work when the best light is natural and provided by God. Less eye strain!
Jill
14 comments:
that red and white quilt top looks AMAZING!!! It looks hard to line up all those seams but you did it and made it look easy too! Good thing you thought of the red threads possibly showing up behind the white squares ... good point and have fun de threading and hand basting too! I baste with pins usually ... happily with my frame there is no basting required though... my arthritic fingers don't like basting generally! lol I love your London Calling piece... Mittens is a cutie... I hope your cat remained a happy watcher and not one to get involved in the dethreading you were doing!!!! Have a wonderful Sunday dear Jill... God bless you and yours with wonderful sunshine today I hope... we have had sunshine for 2 days.. I think today we are due to have clouds followed by rain the next 3 days!!! Kathi
I love that red and white quilt top. There are quite a lot of threads to snip because there are quite a lot of seams. Wow, what a wonderful job you did. I love to sit in front of a double window on my upstairs landing and stitch with the natural light behind me. I find it is the easiest way to stitch. London is looking really pretty. I love the texture of the background.
I love that quilt design it really is neat. The stitchery is a nice one
The pattern name of the R&W quilt top is mostly known as the Disappearing 4 Patch. The intersection seams were not as difficult as they appear UNTIL they had to connect with a neighboring block. Then it turned into a free all of whichever way they wanted to go. Lol! The reason why I know to watch for runaway red threads is that I have learned the hard way. It is better to find them now and not after it is quilted. Been there, done that. Hopefully, I'll find any missed ones when I hand baste. Due to the many tight seams, it will be machine quilted. Hope you only have rain and no storms. Thank you for your visit, Kathi!
There is something about red and whites. I think I need the brightness this winter. Lucky you to have a large double window for natural light stitching and most likely the landing is out of the way. Wish I could take credit for London's background texture. I'm only repeating (actually copying) what was done on the store's sample piece and was recommended by shop owner. The T-stitch goes quicker as one can skip every other hole. Thank you for your comment!
It was an enjoyable block to sew once I got going. Needlepoint is easier and lighter to handle than a larger quilt. Both stitching projects are enjoyable though. Your visit is appreciated!
The red and white quilt is lovely, so happy you are working on it!
I love a red and white quilt and you've got some lovely red fabrics! Glad you have a small fury helper with those stray threads!
Thanks Karen! I'm also happy to be working on it.
The variety of red & white fabrics were collected over at least one year. The challenge was sticking with just red and white and not red and beige. I'm glad I stuck it out. The fury helper has one problem...she likes to eat the thread. I enjoyed your visit!
Love the photo of the extra pair of eyes... so helpful with stitching projects!
Enjoy your hand stitching today!
Lol on the extra pair of eyes. Sometimes it's easier to stitch when it is catnap time ;-) I look forward to your retreat photos this week!
Mittens is adorable! What a pretty quilt and good to clip those threads, it is amazing how much they show with the4 batting.
Your London piece is darling! Love that you have such good help! It's amazing how one red thread on the UNDER side will draw your eyes, huh?! I love red & white (and blue & white and yellow and white) paired together! It's clean and classic! :)
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