Backing made for lone star - CHECK!!!

Have to admit sometimes I am sneaky!    One of the focuses I listed in my pledge of four was to make the backing for my lone star quilt. 

 

CHECK!!

Hancocks of Paducah is having a sale on their wide backing fabrics so I just "uh hummmm... - MADE the backing" cough, cough,  sputter choke!  and am so plezzed with myself.  lol



This is what I ordered:   http://www.hancocks-paducah.com/Item--i-WP-7210-101 .
After placing the order, I noticed it's on back order so I wonder how long it will take.   

Initially for me this LONE STAR  quilt called to have more developed borders than it actually has. 

 

My dilema was that I ran out of fabric to do this. 

 

I needed more of that print on the left.  So after more than a decade and a half later, and after several failed attempts at acquiring the needed yardage, I literally  threw on  3 straight borders with the fabric I had on hand to get the size wanted.  Figuring it's a 15 year old WIP that needed to be finished.

When I got to this point, I wasn't happy.

 

This quilt was not what it needed to be.

So it languished  as a PIT (Project in Tote) and I stewed on and off for another year.  Last month I figured ENOUGH!!
I'll list it on the get er done list to get the back made and just proceed with it.

but , I still am not happy about it. 




It and I truly wanted it to become this:

 

 

 

See that second lighter border.   I drafted 60 degree diamonds into a 45 degree orientationand paper pieced the two corners successfully.  Here;s a leftover pattern since I only needed two. 

 

The seminole piecing  the 60 degree chains into strips for the two opposing corners have been done and  sitting very nicely in the Tote too.

 

I wish these could have been used in the 2nd border as planned.....

 

 

NO! I won't be ripping out any borders.

When I listed in the get er done for March I had initially figured on sending it to a longarmer and just get it quilted.

 

 

Playing with the quilt designs.....

 

 

 

Then while planning how this would be quilted I had an ah.. ha.... moment.

 

Perhaps I could quilt this originally concepted design into the borders and do a touch of trapunto for that pommegranite vine into the opposing corners. 

 

YES!!!!  That's it. 

 

With this being about 102" x 102" big, I know this will be a huge undertaking on my DSM. 

Though I am not a proficient quilter by any means, I have improved my quilting skills as I progress in this hobby.

Each quilt, bag, table runner and project made I see an improvement in the finished results.   I won't expect perfection in the quilting but will have fun as it proceeds.

 

The first step needed will be to design the trapunto vine design and stitch the batting to the backside of the topwith some wash away thread.  I can do this while I wait for that backing order and it will tell me if I am totally barking up the wrong tree with my little abilities. 

Wish me luck! 

 

 

Perhaps I should just start playing in the pillow I painted that will compliment the lone star quilt?  Here's a peak:                                                                                                                      

Click on the blurry picture of it and you can see the year, 1998 when this was stenciled and painted!  See 15 years at least!

 

 

 

Enjoy your day

I'm off to play,

Jane

 

Looking for fabric...

With the recent finishes I was able to find some time to focus on cleaning up some of my sewing space(s). I am amazed by all the STUFF I have. So I have cleaned up and out quite a few bags and items around my work spaces. Many things reorganized and stored in a better manner. Here is an updated look at the doorway to my sewing studio. Much improved since this photo. Its a big improvement over what it was and it's hard to see it in the photos so it's not showing up that well but it's much better!

While looking on how best to arrange and store, I stumbled across my Lone Star Quilt UFO. The center area is done, the 1st and 3rd borders are cut as is the made binding, the only area that I need to get to is the reason it got shelved in the first place. I don't have enough of the background fabric.


That's the only piece of selvage I could get my hands on so I'm not sure of the designer or fabric line. Do you know where I could get some? Click on the picture and you can see it closeup.

Several years ago, while at a Pennsylvania quilt show, Seams Like Home designer, Joan Jones had her bird quilt on display in her vendor booth. The background fabric of it is the same fabric that I need. So when inquiring about where I could find more of it she said she would check when she got back home in 2 weeks and to give her a call. Long story storter, Yippee- she had 2 yards. So I gladly paid her for it. Then...the package never came. Major Bummer!

She kindly refunded the money and even went through her scrap bin to see if she had any of it there which she did so she mailed me the bits that she did have, but it's not enough.

I did purchase this fabric on the left awhile back and thought I might have to use it, but I am hopeful that someone out there will have some of my original fabic.


All of the paper piecing chain points are done and the corner section drafted chains are sewn and pressed. Just need about 1 yard more so I can finish that section of the second border thought I want to do an asymetrical appliqued vine in. This is a sketchinng of what I have in mind.



Let me know if you know where I can get this spotted/speckly fabric, I'd love to get 2 yards but any is better than none and thanks.

Happy Stitching,
Jane