Name this quilt AND need tips for quilting as this will be made without batting
05-14-2011, 05:37 AM
#1
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I have tentatively named this quilt "A flower for Mary, Around the World with Love"...but that seems so long! What do you think? Here's the story:
Mary is 18 y/o and lives in a small remote village in Kisoro, Uganda in extreme poverty. I have been her educational sponsor for 5 years and she just finished her senior studies and is hopeful of getting a government scholarship so she can attend the University in Kampala in the fall. Mary sleeps on a straw mat at home. If she goes to the University she'll sleep in a REAL bed for the first time. I thought it would be neat if she had a lightweight cover for her bed. The climate is tropical so that's the reason for no batting. I chose this pattern because I care for her dearly even though she is around the world from me. For the TATW...I modified it a bit to give the impression that this is a flower. Then on the back...I'm going to use flannel but incorporate the flower basket in the design. It's my way of sending her flowers for her wonderful accomplishments.
So my questions:
1) Is the name okay? How would you shorten it?
2) How to quilt this considering there's no batting? I want it to be nice and soft. (I've only done SID on my first quilt so quilting seems a bit scary. But I'm ready to jump in and learn!) ;-)
3) I'm concerned that the seams on the front will show through the flower basket since it's background is tone on tone white. Should I put some kind of fusible fabric on the back of the block? (I will be machine quilting this)
4)Lastly, what's your favorite way of making a label. The 2 labels I've made so far haven't been great so I want to improve on this one and make it really nice!
Thanks so much for all your help! blessings, Karen
Mary is 18 y/o and lives in a small remote village in Kisoro, Uganda in extreme poverty. I have been her educational sponsor for 5 years and she just finished her senior studies and is hopeful of getting a government scholarship so she can attend the University in Kampala in the fall. Mary sleeps on a straw mat at home. If she goes to the University she'll sleep in a REAL bed for the first time. I thought it would be neat if she had a lightweight cover for her bed. The climate is tropical so that's the reason for no batting. I chose this pattern because I care for her dearly even though she is around the world from me. For the TATW...I modified it a bit to give the impression that this is a flower. Then on the back...I'm going to use flannel but incorporate the flower basket in the design. It's my way of sending her flowers for her wonderful accomplishments.
So my questions:
1) Is the name okay? How would you shorten it?
2) How to quilt this considering there's no batting? I want it to be nice and soft. (I've only done SID on my first quilt so quilting seems a bit scary. But I'm ready to jump in and learn!) ;-)
3) I'm concerned that the seams on the front will show through the flower basket since it's background is tone on tone white. Should I put some kind of fusible fabric on the back of the block? (I will be machine quilting this)
4)Lastly, what's your favorite way of making a label. The 2 labels I've made so far haven't been great so I want to improve on this one and make it really nice!
Thanks so much for all your help! blessings, Karen
05-14-2011, 05:46 AM
#2
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Location: NY
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Your quilt is so pretty and I think the name is just perfect. I have done labels a couple of ways. I have hand embroidered them, my machine has basic block letters and I have used those and I also have written them with a pigma pen.
I am not getting how you are going to use the basket block. Is your intention to applique it to the front of the quilt? If so then do you currently see through the background fab when you place it on the quilt? If this bothers you then I would suggest putting a foundation on the back. This will make it easy to applique as well because you can stitch the backing on the block inside out and leave an open space to turn it right side out and when you applique it on your seam allowance will already be turned under from sewing on the backing. For quilting, you may wish to put flannel inside for a lightweight batting. I've never done a quilt with no batting so can't say for sure. For quilting, your top is so pretty and I am sure Mary will love it so no need to get too fancy but I would put enough quilting in to make sure it is enforced. You could do a simple diaganal grid or do SID. Or if you are feeling brave FMQ an all over meander or stylized flowers on it. I am sure she will love and cherish it no matter what you do.
I am not getting how you are going to use the basket block. Is your intention to applique it to the front of the quilt? If so then do you currently see through the background fab when you place it on the quilt? If this bothers you then I would suggest putting a foundation on the back. This will make it easy to applique as well because you can stitch the backing on the block inside out and leave an open space to turn it right side out and when you applique it on your seam allowance will already be turned under from sewing on the backing. For quilting, you may wish to put flannel inside for a lightweight batting. I've never done a quilt with no batting so can't say for sure. For quilting, your top is so pretty and I am sure Mary will love it so no need to get too fancy but I would put enough quilting in to make sure it is enforced. You could do a simple diaganal grid or do SID. Or if you are feeling brave FMQ an all over meander or stylized flowers on it. I am sure she will love and cherish it no matter what you do.
05-14-2011, 05:50 AM
#3
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I have no idea for the name - but the quilt top is FABULOUS.
I'm still really loving the checkerboard, and it all looks flat to me from here. I'm glad you didn't re-think that part of the design. ;-)
I'm glad I reread your post. I see you're using flannel for the back.
The top will stick a bit to that when quilting, but I'd still spray or hand baste the two together so you don't end up with tucks/pleats/puckers on the back.
I'm still really loving the checkerboard, and it all looks flat to me from here. I'm glad you didn't re-think that part of the design. ;-)
I'm glad I reread your post. I see you're using flannel for the back.
The top will stick a bit to that when quilting, but I'd still spray or hand baste the two together so you don't end up with tucks/pleats/puckers on the back.
05-14-2011, 06:03 AM
#4
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Originally Posted by feline fanatic
Your quilt is so pretty and I think the name is just perfect. I have done labels a couple of ways. I have hand embroidered them, my machine has basic block letters and I have used those and I also have written them with a pigma pen.
I am not getting how you are going to use the basket block. Is your intention to applique it to the front of the quilt? If so then do you currently see through the background fab when you place it on the quilt? If this bothers you then I would suggest putting a foundation on the back. This will make it easy to applique as well because you can stitch the backing on the block inside out and leave an open space to turn it right side out and when you applique it on your seam allowance will already be turned under from sewing on the backing. For quilting, you may wish to put flannel inside for a lightweight batting. I've never done a quilt with no batting so can't say for sure. For quilting, your top is so pretty and I am sure Mary will love it so no need to get too fancy but I would put enough quilting in to make sure it is enforced. You could do a simple diaganal grid or do SID. Or if you are feeling brave FMQ an all over meander or stylized flowers on it. I am sure she will love and cherish it no matter what you do.
I am not getting how you are going to use the basket block. Is your intention to applique it to the front of the quilt? If so then do you currently see through the background fab when you place it on the quilt? If this bothers you then I would suggest putting a foundation on the back. This will make it easy to applique as well because you can stitch the backing on the block inside out and leave an open space to turn it right side out and when you applique it on your seam allowance will already be turned under from sewing on the backing. For quilting, you may wish to put flannel inside for a lightweight batting. I've never done a quilt with no batting so can't say for sure. For quilting, your top is so pretty and I am sure Mary will love it so no need to get too fancy but I would put enough quilting in to make sure it is enforced. You could do a simple diaganal grid or do SID. Or if you are feeling brave FMQ an all over meander or stylized flowers on it. I am sure she will love and cherish it no matter what you do.
05-14-2011, 06:09 AM
#5
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Posts: 4,134
I don't know your FMQ ability, but SITD would work just fine for this quilt. Except not in the ditches.
The lines I've drawn on the photo show the paths you could take.
It shouldn't take long at all, and it would make it really secure - which given the unknown washing (machine) situation would be a good thing.
I'm sure you can find some nice variegated thread - Joann's has had a display recently of some nice threads. There's a pastel one - and even though it's supposed to be "baby" colors, it would blend in very well across your quilt. And it would give a little sparkle as it would be visible.
The lines I've drawn on the photo show the paths you could take.
It shouldn't take long at all, and it would make it really secure - which given the unknown washing (machine) situation would be a good thing.
I'm sure you can find some nice variegated thread - Joann's has had a display recently of some nice threads. There's a pastel one - and even though it's supposed to be "baby" colors, it would blend in very well across your quilt. And it would give a little sparkle as it would be visible.
05-14-2011, 06:10 AM
#6
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Since it has a flower basket theme maybe you could quilt some flowers on it, maybe daisies or something simple. What a wonderful relationship you have developed with this girl. I like the name you picked also. You have done a delightful thing and she will love it.
05-14-2011, 06:10 AM
#7
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Name is wonderful.
I would line the basket block with a piece of the white fabric used in the block so you won't see through it.
I would do a grid for the quilting. Use a ruler and draw through the corners of the quilt going from corner to corner in a X design. I use the grid on some lap quilts I make. They are soft, easy to quilt and great design to go with the type of design on your top....
I use embroidery lettering on my machine to sew out my labels. Then I put a binding around the label like it was a little quilt. I hand stitch the label on the back, then make the sandwich and do the quilting so the label will not be coming off.
I would line the basket block with a piece of the white fabric used in the block so you won't see through it.
I would do a grid for the quilting. Use a ruler and draw through the corners of the quilt going from corner to corner in a X design. I use the grid on some lap quilts I make. They are soft, easy to quilt and great design to go with the type of design on your top....
I use embroidery lettering on my machine to sew out my labels. Then I put a binding around the label like it was a little quilt. I hand stitch the label on the back, then make the sandwich and do the quilting so the label will not be coming off.
05-14-2011, 06:16 AM
#8
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MTS, Thank you so very, very much for this design idea! I have no idea how you drew that on my picture but so glad you did...makes it very clear to understand! :thumbup: I was thinking of a grid type pattern but it didn't occur to me to do it in the direction that you suggested. I live an hour away from a LQS. I was planning on using white thread. I could wait until next week when I go that way to get the thread...but do you think white would still work? Again, thanks for the extra time you spent doing this! :)
05-14-2011, 06:22 AM
#10
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Originally Posted by cuppi duke
Since it has a flower basket theme maybe you could quilt some flowers on it, maybe daisies or something simple. What a wonderful relationship you have developed with this girl. I like the name you picked also. You have done a delightful thing and she will love it.
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