Originally Posted by roselady
Andrea, I knew you had to be getting close...I have been checking posts everyday for yours. Of course it is stunning!! I have a couple of questions for you. Do you have a hard time finding quilting thread in the color you need to go with your fabric? I know that you have said you prefer YLI thread, but it seems like color choices are limited. I have had the privilage to see your strippy quilt up close at Pacific International, and I know you have entered quilts in other big shows here in the US, have you ever been judged negatively for choosing not to use binding? I know you finish the edge of your quilts in the traditional British way, which I think is beautiful, and not with the American type of binding. I do wonder if the edges wear sooner without a binding, especially if the quilt will get heavy use. Do you have one of your special quilts on your bed? Thank you so much for sharing your quilt with all of us here.
Roselady,
I agree, the color choices of the YLI thread are limited, but this has never been a problem. I also use contrasting threads for my quilts. This yellow/orange one is quilted with a rust colored thread, it's really darker than the fabric! Maybe you can see it on the detailed picture. But it works out fine for me and I like it that way. Once a friend told me I am quite brave to use this contrasting colors because you see every little stitch and every little uneveness...and this is right. I pull out many more stitches while quilting when using contrasting colors.
I have also used the King Tut thread made by Superior Threads and Güterman - I have always found a color that I like.
I have entered quilts in judged shows here in Europe (we only have a few!) and 4 times at the world quilt competition in the states. There were never negative comments about the "Knife Edge finishing", it was quite the contrary! Some judges mentioned it commendatory, they liked it. This is the traditional way of closing the edges for wholecloths in a Welsh or English style and I am a very traditional person - so I won't change that. It fits perfectly and I have never seen rules for the competitions that forbid the Knife Edge. You are right, the edges wear sooner and on antique quilts originally made that way they often put a binding around the egdes when it's worn out. For me it's not a problem because I do my quilts for decoration as wall hangings and for shows, not so much for use.
Maybe it sounds strange but we don't have one of my wholecloths on our bed. We use one of my first quilts (a pieced one) and it really looks used!