My project for National Quilting Day is a still life wall hanging. I completed the piecing of the top, and loaded it on the longarm to quilt. The idea is for the white quarter-square triangles to look like patterned wallpaper. I did the stand-and-stare for a bit, then dove in with the same quilting design I have used before.
I began with the QSTs, doing continuous curves in the blocks. I was going to stop at this point, but the seam lines puffed out with the quilting, so I decided to stitch in the ditch, too.
Using my little straight-edge ruler, I did all the seam lines.
This went faster than I thought it would, and in just a couple of hours was totally done.
Next, I quilted the brown fabric that will be the table with a flowing freehand meant to simulate wood grain. I changed thread color to brown. I kept the ecru thread in the bobbin as my machine is pretty well balanced for stitches locking inside the batting. No pokies on the back.
On the window, I went back to ecru thread, and stitched in the ditch on the pane dividers and sills. Then I went around the trees on the scene print with grey thread.
The quilting was finished fairly quickly in spite of three thread color changes.
The vase shape was done in golden threads paper, and I kept cutting on the pattern piece until I was happy with the shape and the size.
I found a lovely Japanese print for the vase, and cut out the shape with a generous seam allowance. I cut the same shape out of interfacing.
The pieces were stitched right sides together. I clipped the curves and corners, then cut a slit in the center of the interfacing, and turned the vase right side out. It was pressed well creating sharp edges.
I pinned it to the front of the base, and took it to my chair for hand sewing. I used the window sashing fabric for the binding, and it was ready for the handwork, too.
Stitching the binding to the back while watching football games made this go quickly.
Next is to begin the appliques. This is something I wanted to work on this year, as I am not really good at this technique. Needle-turn has been my nemesis, getting the curves smooth is a particular challenge. But I have another idea for this piece, and I’ll share that next week. I’ll also share how I am going to use the challenge fabric. I’ll be working on the appliques all during the NFL Wild Card Weekend. Stay tuned!
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From My Carolina Home 
Carole, your piece is coming along nicely. Re: your appliques. I don’t like nor do I use the needle turn method. Some of my appliqued pieces have been with a raw edge finish, especially if it is a wall hanging or wall quilt piece that will not see any wear. I am liking the interfacing method you used on your vase and have used it in several pieces also. I favor this method, since all edges are finished and the applique lays flat. Have you thought of using this method for the rest of your appliques? Susan P.S. I, too, am looking forward to NFL Playoffs weekend.
Of course you found a Japanese fabric for the vase! It really is the perfect fabric and looks so pretty sitting on the table. Thank you for step-by-step quilting process and also the whys. Looking forward to next week’s installment.
I find this fascinating!
This is coming along nicely. Sorry NTApplique is your nemesis…I love it when I am in the mood. I would have coffee and coach you if I was closer! Good luck as you move to the next step – the direction it is going in is fabulous.
Wow, I just love watching your process as you build this project! Good luck with the coming steps! Needle turn is not my thing, but I love doing fusible machine applique.
Have enjoyed watching this come together. Will stay tuned!. 😄
I love that fabric you used for the view out the window – so perfect! Looks like this is coming right along!
This is looking great. What I liked most was the step by step of what you are doing. It helped a lot. Thank you.
Oooh, very nice progress. It looks like you are well prepared for enjoying football and keeping your hands busy!
This is coming along so nicely. I love watching the progress. The vase fabric is beautiful..
This is a great concept, much more interesting than the projects we’ve been doing. There’s a lot of creativity & personality in your design.
Just back from quilting retreat so just catching up.
Like how you’ve quilted your piece! Curious on what your approach to the applique will be!
Looks like the Bills and the Stealers game will be Monday giving you another wild card day!