To save my readers one more post about this quilt, I'm editing this older post of a few days ago to state my One Monthly Goal for April. My goal is to: cut the edges of this quilt, decide a binding width, find fabric for the binding, sew the binding to both the front and back of this quilt, and wash and dry it for a total finish.
From what I can tell so far, finding fabric for the binding may be the biggest obstacle to a finish.
Original post for finishing March's One Monthly Goal
The quilt's not finished but I met my One Monthly Goal for March. There were two parts to the goal.
- Quilt at least 12 squares. I had 32 to finish at the beginning of the month. Now I have 3 left to quilt. I quilted 29 squares in March.
- Quilt at least 12 stars. I had 2 finished when I stated my goal, with 22 stars left to quilt. All the stars are now quilted.
Hooray for a goal met even if it doesn't equal a finish. There's not too much left to do to finish this quilt: lots of sashing rectangles and those three blocks, then the binding. Maybe those will be April's goals.
There was the little problem with thread. (Yes, I did run out.) I bought a spool of Guterman 100% cotton in a similar color (it disappears like the other spool). While at the store I looked at a few other threads and I think the first spool I was using was rayon. Rayon isn't exactly a natural fiber but it's made from natural fibers (cellulose from trees, as I understand it), which means it would burn to ash just as cotton, linen, and wool do. Anyway, I'm hoping there isn't too great a difference in shrinkage in areas quilted with the different threads. I'm putting pins in the blocks and sashing quilted with cotton so I'll know.
Have you ever put a wide binding on a quilt? Perhaps ½" or 1"? If so, were you satisfied with it? I'm thinking of a slightly wider binding on this quilt from blue fabrics similar to those in the stars. Since the quilt has no border I thought a wider blue binding would be a good finish for the quilt.
I'm linking this post to One Monthly Goal - March Finish Link-up at Elm Street Quilts. Thank you for hosting, Patty.
Happy Easter to you and yours.
--Nancy.
I am very impressed with your quilting accomplishment. You met and exceeded your goal in grand style! This is looking amazing! I love cross hatching.
ReplyDeleteMy early quilting days saw some wider bindings--maybe 1/2" max. If you don't plan on entering it in any shows (or if you have my Mom's attitude), go for whatever effect you want. My Mom liked wider bindings, often putting them on quilts she entered in fairs and shows. She would get high marks on everything except her bindings, but she didn't care. I think a 1/2" blue binding would create a nice border. It wouldn't cut off any of your star points, so no harm there!
Thank you, Janet. I'm eager to see what will happen with the quilting after washing and drying. I hope it doesn't disappoint.
DeleteNo quilt show for this quilt so no worries about judges' opinions/evaluation. I originally thought about a 1" binding on this quilt but after laying a 1" strip along the edge, knew immediately that was much too side. I've been under the weather for a week so haven't done anything but when I left it, a 1/2" strip looked like it might be good. Oh, and good for your mom to sticking to what she liked. I suspect that wider bindings might be a little more durable, but maybe not.
Great progress on your quilting! Thanks for linking up with Elm Street Quilts One Monthly Goal.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Patty, and thanks for hosting One Monthly Goal each month.
DeleteI LOVE the quilt..it's simple but so gorgeous. I've never put a wide binding on a quilt and will be interested to see how it turns out.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sherrill. I think I'm headed toward a 1/2" binding but I've been sick for the past week and haven't made any progress on it at all. I hope to get back to it very soon.
DeleteBeautiful! Congrats on making your goal. I have done a wide binding at times and loved how it turned out. Happy Easter!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Nancy. I'm happy to know you've had success with wide bindings. I hope I like it as much as you do.
DeleteLove how this quilt is coming along! I think a wide binding would look great. I've only done one once and it does add another design element, but that is your goal, I think. It would be a nice finish and help pop the stars in my opinion. Can't wait to see it all finished!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Karen. It seems like more quilters than I realized have used wider bindings and, best of all, like them. Since I didn't put a border on this quilt I though a wider binding would do double duty. I'm leaning toward a 1/2" binding but I haven't experimented much yet. I came down with a flu-like virus a week ago and have been under the weather ever since. Now I'm hoping against hope that I can meet my One Monthly Goal!
DeleteThe quilt looks so lovely. You've made good progress. I've made wider bindings and I think each quilt knows what is best.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Robin. It seems like more quilters than I realized sometimes use wide bindings. I guess I should start noticing bindings on quilts a little more closely. When I laid out the widest binding I'd considered, I didn't think it worked. Almost as you suggest, the quilt said, "No thanks." I've been under the weather for a week but hope to feel well enough to work on it again very soon (or I won't meet my monthly goal!).
Deleteran across your blog today from Lakeview Stitching, put it in my Bloglovin list so I am now a follower!! love your style and beautiful work!! Happy Easter, Happy Sewing and take care from Iowa
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting and following, Melody, and for your kind words about my quilts. I tried to find your blog (if you have one) but could not. Do you? I also noticed that your email didn't come through with your comment so I can't respond directly.
DeleteCongrats on making your OMG!! That was a lot of quilting! I’ve never used a wide binding. Will be interested in seeing how that works for you.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jennie. By the end of the month I was surprised at how much I'd finished. It was a lot of quilting.
DeleteI'm still in progress with a decision about the width of the binding. I've been sick for a week so have done nothing. I hope to be back at it soon!