I'm pleased with how square and flat it was, even after quilting. It rippled a bit on some of the binding. Blocking it has managed flatten it out (although I may need to hit the bottom bulge again). This will look great on the wall!
It ended up with twice as much quilting than intended. The first half of the quilting was curved lines that flowed around the quilt. It made me think of the tide coming in on the flats on Cape Cod. However, once that was complete, the unquilted sections puffed out quite noticeably. I feared those section would sag as it hung on the wall. I quilted the remaining sections with long wavy lines and swirls going the other way. That's when the name Ebb and Flow popped into my head.
I was going to freemotion quilt the black stripes, as well. In the end I simply added a few lines with my walking foot.
Modifying the quilting halfway through the project was not ideal. There were a few unexpected dead ends and I had to rethink thread colors. On the other hand, it gave me some much needed quilting practice.
I'm quite pleased with the binding. The black stripes are so striking, I didn't want them to stop abruptly with the binding. Binding the whole thing in black, though, would be harsh on the rest of the quilt. So I chose fabrics that roughly matched the quilt edge all the way around. Most colors transitioned on a block edge, which allowed me to cut them straight rather than attempting a 45 degree angle.
A few color-matching tutorials stated to measure the length of color in the edge, then cut and sew the binding accordingly. I did that for the black pieces, but the rest of the binding I assembled as I bound it to the quilt. I stitched binding on until I got close to a transition point, then lined a small cutting mat edge right where I wanted the transition, measured a quarter inch from the edge and cut the binding. I stitched on the next color, lined it up with the quilt and went back attaching the binding. It was an odd approach that allowed me to apply binding in two different sections of the quilt at the same time. The right-angle joints made for a bulky binding in places, but it was very easy to do.
What a beautiful strip quilt you've shared. I find my strips get curvy when I don't want them to. I can't seem to make curves intentionally.
ReplyDeleteThe quilting lines really enhance the design. I love this! Thank you for sharing.
Ebb and Flow is beautiful, Sally! Those offset black strips make me feel like I'm looking out a window from way up high down onto the beautiful canyon and river. I love how you did the binding - such a great idea!
ReplyDeleteanother lovely entry... The pacific national is open for entry I think. Great work on every aspect of it. I love the quilting.
ReplyDeleteI hang a lot of wall quilts on curtain rods put on the wall just for them. My poodles always noticed when I changed them out!
Wow. This quilt caught my eye at the Whoop! Whoop! party. It's so beautiful and unique. The colors and the beautiful quilting are so pretty. I kept staring at it in admiration. Just lovely. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteLove it! Thanks for linking up with Elm Street Quilts One Monthly Goal and congrats on your finish!
ReplyDeleteEbb and Flow is a perfect name for your beautiful quilt.
ReplyDeleteThis quilt is so amazing! I could study it all day long! The quilting gives it wonderful movement.
ReplyDeleteThe quilting is outstanding, I absolutely love it! Well done on your finish for OMG. Great job.
ReplyDeleteNice job on the color matched binding, Sally! That was a great way to finish off your lovely quilt.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous quilt. Well done. That was interesting about the binding method you used. Thanks for explaining how you did the binding. It makes me want to try it too.
ReplyDeleteYou're a talented artist, and good at naming too! Ebb and Flow captures this perfectly. That binding is awesome, too.
ReplyDelete