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Saturday, March 19, 2016

Mission (almost) accomplished!

This will make fifteen little finishes just this year, once it is bound. That pile of little flimsies is getting tamed, slowly, but surely! This was Temecula's Summer Stars SAL, in a different setting than they used.
The number 15 doesn't include the wool mat and 2 pincushions I have squeezed in, too. Oh, it feels so good to see the pile of little flimsies down to almost nothing! (We won't talk about all of the bed-size ones hanging in the closet, okay?) Most of these were pieced between one and three years ago and have been languishing ever since!

This is only the second time I have tried curved cross-hatching on anything other than a practice sandwich. 
I love the look, but it is a bit fiddly to do.






You have to measure and mark the guidelines in each triangle.

Then you sew each individual arc going one direction, using a curved ruler as guide. Next you reverse and make the arcs coming from the other direction to create the cross-hatching.
All the while I have my straight edge ruler handy for all of the backtrack in the ditch you have to do when creating this design.

The curved rulers I use are from Jamie Wallen. He has videos on this same page that show how to do the curved cross-hatch in squares and triangles. Very helpful.

After finishing the cross-hatching, I couldn't find a design for the outer border that fit the dimensions and also matched the density on the cross-hatching.









I finally took a stencil, masked off one side of it, and tried staggering the pattern on a practice sandwich to see if it would fill in the way I hoped.
(I like to make my stencils work for me. I try to see them as more than just the obvious design.)

Then I marked the design in that overlapped way all around the quilt and stitched it in.
From this close-up you can also see that the sashing around the stars is a navy blue with a print in it. The outer dark border is solid navy. I ran out of the print and it was old enough I couldn't find more. I even had to piece it in a couple of places to sash the stars.
                                                                                                                



Now that same fabric has been reprinted as part of "Jo's Favorites", so I will be able to use it for the binding. The color is very true.
Here are the before and after shots of the latest batch, minus the batik mini. It is already gifted, but I have replaced it with the log cabin mini, which was a new start and finish this year.

The next batch of little quilts got basted Friday. Five of these are from past SALs (see why I am avoiding them?). I won't be getting these quilted as quickly--at least I don't think so.  I know how I will be quilting a couple of them. On the ones that currently elude me, I just start with the ditch stitching and hope that inspiration strikes before I finish that step.
I only have 6 more little flimsies left in the pile, and another 5 or 6 minis in the works. I want to do better in the future at not making as many starts until I catch up on more finishes. I know not everyone needs that, but when I have a mountain of unfinished business hanging over me it becomes oppressive to me. This doesn't mean I will not have UFOs anymore--not by a long shot!! But I don't like it when it gets too far out of hand!

Well, I have done it again--another lengthy post. My apologies. 
Until next time, when I hope I don't have so much to say!
Janet O.

35 comments:

  1. No need to apologize, my favorite blogger posts are when folks share their process with lots of photos. Your curved crosshatch work is wonderful. I love the look, but (so far) haven't been tempted to search out the rulers and learn how to do it. I think it must be especially gratifying to see the pile of finishes build up so rapidly, and especially having another batch already pinned and set to go! Have a great weekend!

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  2. that is what happens when getting addicted to making little blocks and quilts...they pile up...LOL...seriously, beautiful machine quilting and i can hear that sigh of relief that they are now done...

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  3. You're well on your way to a whole 'nother trunk show!! Loved ur mini demo on crosshatching - I've been doing some research on template work and will be getting a ruler foot for my Bernina soon and then I'm hoping the AQS-Syracuse show will have a selection of rulers. Any particular reason u like the ones u have?

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  4. Such gorgeous minis and just look at that amazing quilting!
    You put us to shame... I've only had one finish so far this year... yes, ONE!

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  5. You did a beautiful job quilting this! Your work is amazing! Margie/NY

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  6. My hat is off to you! Finishes...hooray! Love that curved cross hatching. Who is the maker of the curved ruler, please. I may want to try it.

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  7. OMG ... what a work ! What a beautiful quilting ! Thank you for sharing because you inspired me a lot with the pics !
    I'm sure we are many to have tops in drawers waiting for quilting... this means we are just busy quilters ! :)

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  8. WOW! I love it, fiddly or not! LOL What an awesome little stack of quilts!!

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  9. Beautiful quilts, and beautiful quilting -- so inspiring!

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  10. Your finishes are lovely. Never apologize for a long post! Especially one that explains HOW you do what you do; very informative, thank you! Is your machine a short-arm? I've been toying with the idea of using quilting rulers on my Bernina, so I'd be interested in what your answer to Sarah (above) was. I especially love that curved cross hatching. Lovely work!

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  11. Yay--more finishes! Your quilting is beautiful---love the curved cross hatching!!

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  12. So impressive Mom! I love the curved cross hatching...such a beautiful job!

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  13. Beautiful quilting and finished project. You are on a roll!
    Mary

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  14. So fun to see all your minis. You do such beautiful work. Hope Cache valley is as beautiful today as it is here. The sun is shining and the warmer temps are very motivating.

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  15. I love the secondary pattern you got out of your stencil, it was very effective on the border and perfect for a narrow space. I have never quilted using a ruler as a guide, so thanks for the pictures, the visual guide was most helpful.

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  16. They may be little quilts but lots of work goes into each one! Good for you, lovely quilting.

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  17. You are phenomenal. You'll be ready for another trunk show with all of these little quilts. The curved cross hatching is a great design and adds a very nice look. Glad you went with it on the quilt. Thanks for sharing your process. It won't be long before we see the next batch!

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  18. The curved crosshatching is remarkably involved to produce and it looks lovely! How on earth can you prevent that curved ruler from slip-sliding away, as the song goes? I always admire your pretty mini's and this post is no exception.

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  19. Love, love, love this post! You've inspired me to try the curved cross hatching now. Keep ''em coming!

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  20. You are such an inspiration! Your quilt is stunning with your gorgeous fabrics and such beautiful quilting. Love seeing your little quilts...just like candy!

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  21. Your quilting is wonderful; it shows the care you put into it. I love your minis!

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  22. The curved lines make for very pretty quilting. What are you going to do with all the completed mini quilts? I know your wall space is limited.

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  23. I have a bad case of machine quilting envy! You have done such a wonderful job on your all ready fabulous minis! Love the curved design elements.

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  24. I'm loving those curved lines...your frosting is GORGEOUS! If there isn't room send it my way...I've got the perfect spot! Hee! Have a great weekend!!!

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  25. WOW! Your quilting is amazing! The quilts are beautiful. I struggle with just getting them pieced and haven't even thought about the quilting. I have so many things to learn.

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  26. Your quilting is awesome! Love the look of the back of the quilt as much as the front.

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  27. Love all your fresh finishes Janet. Do you use a Frixion pen when you mark with a stencil? Or perhaps chalk? Just wondering..... Like all your other readers, I adore that curved cross hatching - I should come and watch you while you work some day!!!!!

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  28. Super bunch of little quilts. I think I'd bust needles with rulers! Yours are wonderful.

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  29. No need to apologize for the length of you your blog, I could read your stories all day long, they are so interesting. Your quilting is so awesome and fantastic. I think you take more time with your quilting than it takes to make your super minis. All your work is outstanding.... Love all the photos that you share with us.

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  30. Your quilting is AMAZING!! That's all I've got to say.
    And I love when you get a little wordy!!
    ;-))

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  31. Thanks for showing the behind the scenes efforts you make to quilt. I'm not nearly so inventive and certainly admire all the frosting your little quilts get. All those little quilts deserve to be quilted!

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  32. Wow, Janet!! This one is darling and the quilting on it is fantastic!! May I come over one of these days when you are going to use the rulers to quilt so I can watch how you do it? I would love to get past only being able to do "meandering"!!

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  33. the curved cross hatch looks fabulous. I know I keep gushing - but oh my - you are on such a roll with finishing these lovely little quilts.
    beautiful work!

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  34. This turned out really nicely. I am going to have to do some curved cross hatching - it is gorgeous!

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