Two Steps Forward . . .

. . . and one step back. That’s how the last few days have played out in my sewing room.

Two steps forward: the binding and label on Catch a Falling Star (my Reach for the Stars sampler quilt):

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Still to come: attaching a sleeve on the back (one step back). I’ve decided to enter Catch a Falling Star in a couple of local quilt shows this year, hence the need for a sleeve. Before the sleeve gets attached, though, this quilt is going to be photographed in a studio. That’s something I can’t do at home because I don’t have a suitable space for a full flat shot. Several readers have asked for a look at the entire quilt as well as more photos of Loretta Orsborn’s lovely quilting, and I promise they are forthcoming.

A couple days ago I decided to finish my Sun Flowers wall hanging. I pieced a backing and pin-basted the layers. Two steps forward. Without a quilting plan in mind I started stitching in the ditch on the horizontal seams. Then I stitched the vertical seams and sashing strips on one of the kaleidoscope blocks. At that point I decided what I really wanted to do with this little quilt was stitch diagonally across the surface. Those horizontal and vertical stitching lines had to go.

I picked out all of the quilting. BIG step back:

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It was actually a good thing I picked out the quilting because I had pin-basted the layers rather hastily and the back was not entirely smooth. With the quilting stitches removed, I was able to adjust the layers, and this time I thread-basted them. I put the quilt on my design wall and started thinking about my quilting plan.

Now I’m second-guessing my decision on the diagonal quilting. It seems to me it might distract from the kaleidoscope blocks, which are the star of the show. One thing’s for sure: this quilt is not going under the needle on my sewing machine until I have a plan firmly in place.

In the meantime, I’m going to start piecing the backing for another quilt. One step forward.

 

 

 

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4 Responses to Two Steps Forward . . .

  1. susan says:

    i am so glad you are entering this quilt!! it is beautiful!! i have followed its making from the very beginning – i love the fabrics you used and some of the “retooled” blocks. it came out so great. you should be very proud.

  2. I love the backing you selected for Catching a Falling Star. It is a perfect choice. I, too, am eager to see the full set of pictures and wish you the very best in showing the quilt! My setting triangles should be done this weekend and I can assemble the center quilt and then work on the pieced borders.

  3. Diane says:

    Another tease from Dawn? The photo from the Sun Flowers wall hanging is desperately wanting for a broader view! The colors are spectacular so let’s see a bigger view, okay??

    • Dawn says:

      Diane, you can click on the Sun Flowers link (fourth paragraph, first line) and it will take you to the post in which I showed the entire top.

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