by Sandra | July 22nd, 2012
The APWQ rose project is finished and I have officially named the design, “To Grow a Rose”. My brain never really offered up a “fit” name but this will do. By the way, I used Superior’s Kimono #100 silk thread to quilt this with and it was magical in results and experience. Those of you in the APWQ workshop will see this up close and personal.
In the previous post you saw my draping audition with the Oakshott fabric. I knew that between the design “block” center and the Oakshott side borders I wanted to add some kind of trim accent.
The trim color was going to be tricky because I had to be careful not to end up with a Christmas colored pillow. I don’t want Christmas, I want my bedroom colors which are pale butter cream with white and tomato red, and not Christmas red.
Does any new project ever go perfectly? Noooooooooo.
I had several “oops” moments but the initial screw up was the color choice of the accent trim. In my defense, the tonal batik, when scrunched up, lost its attractive tonal qualities and deepened in value. I refused to consider this color was problematic until after I had quilted it! I thought I just had to go further for it to grow on me so I went ahead and quilted it. It didn’t grow on me and I knew it never would. Another reason not to choose colors at night before bedtime.
This green trim has to go
The other mistake I discovered was once all the parts were sewn together and BEFORE I quilted the top, I squared up and cut it exactly to size. If you aren’t gasping already and are sitting there puzzled, let me fill you in on this little problem-o.
Machine quilting shrinks up the top, so if I cut it to size before quilting, the little bugger is going to end up being at least 1.5″ in perimeter too small–at least. In this case? at least 1.5″ too small for my pillow form. Huge mistake–Huge. I had bought a wonderful down filled 14″ x 20″ pillow form.
But let’s get back to the original boo boo of the wrong trim color. I had taken the massive amount of time to create the individually hand stitched picot trim. All for naught I am afraid because my solution was to whack that picot hand stitched trim completely off to the seam line. Like a scary buzz cut.
A good buzz cut was already an improvement.
Do you really think at this point I am going to unpick all that stitching? Um, no.
My solution was to add a 1/2″ bias strip over the seam line trim butchering job by adding the original fabric I had chosen for the trim but chickened out on using. My original instinct was correct, that fabric was the perfect color. Idiot, me not you.
Much more subtle and more “earthy” than “Merry Christmas”
I copied the top photo again here so you can see the difference between the two trim choices:
I can’t even imagine what I was thinking with that green on the right! Ick.
The pillow top needed something else to “pull” it all together. A shabby cloth ribbon on each side of the bias strip accent made from that same fabric and roughed up a bit. That was perfect and so much better than my original plan. Mistakes push me to re-think and make it work. I call these “Tim Gunn” moments.
As far as the top being too small for the pillow form? With a few scary moments, I was able to force the pillow form into the pillow cover and viola! I was really pleased with the end result.
I LOVE, no I REALLY LOVE this pillow <insert my pulsing heart> and the Oakshott quilted? absolutely luscious and exquisite.
The Oakshott quilted like a dream and I had no stability issues whatsoever. When you use the good stuff, I find this is the norm rather than the exception. The fabric was worth EVERY penny and I want MORE. This is way superior to the KF Shot Cloth folks–big time.
Just a small “floral”accent pillow for my boudoir that won’t give my husband fits. He will not sleep in a floral bedroom. This one sits on the window seat and not on the bed so all is good and I haven’t offended his man-ly sensibilities.
I want to emphasize that I received no kick backs from the companies I have mentioned by the way, my intention is to pass along to you what I *bought* and used in the project and loved working with enough to share.
This is the last of this project and next I will show those of you who are curious, how I made my bias strips and the fabulous foot I used (Bernina) to get a nice 1/8″ and 1/16″ edge stitch without burying the fabric in my feed dogs.
If I thought there was a chance to borrow that cushion for a night ai would redecorate my bedroom!
Probably not a good idea to have it though, as I would spend all night just gazing at it! Beautiful!
Judy B
Wow I love this pillow and loove the new trim and bows (!) so much more than the original greeen. So pretty!
Beautiful!!! I love your quilting designs … Icing on the cake!
Absolutely lovely! My husband can’t stand too many pillows or fussy stuff either.
So you need to quilt each section, then cut them to size and sew together?
What foot did you use for the trim?
Can you make this a pattern on your web site for those of us who can’t get into your classes?
I’m going to try your method of quilting appliqued quilts that you talked about in 2009 – sew background first, then in the applique.
I think I will try using the Kimono silk thread on some sample pieces first. Love all your advice. Thanks for sharing with us. Beth H.
Nice save!! I REALLY love it, too.
Beth,
I sew the sections together *before* I quilt them. So when the applique is done, I sew the applique center section together with both sides, quilt, then I am supposed to square up and trim to size including seam allowances.
In this case, I had sewn the sections together like normal, but….I trimmed and squared, then I quilted. OOPS.
One of the reasons I liked the Kimono silk thread compared to YLI silk thread is that, and I know this going to be hard to explain, but the thread looked consistent in the stitching. Like I said, hard to explain. Let’s just say, it quilted up much better.
As far as the quilting….Moving the excess “poof” under the applique can be a wonderful reprieve from quilted in puckers. There is a reason behind my madness
There will be a pattern available for this design. I will include the pillow instructions as well. I just sent the cover art to the printer. To those of you taking the APWQ class, this is part of your kit fee so do not buy the pattern!
Oh Sandra, what a yummy pillow. As always your work, color, design, quilting etc., is exquisite.
Love this pillow and will watch your site for the kit….thanks again for sharing.
Sandra how do you make your basket weave quilting design?
Where did you purchase the Oskshott? Not finding anyone local that has it in their shops. I live in Seattle.
Thanks Lisa
Love the pillow, happy mistakes in all ends well.
Wow – it’s a very gorgeous pillow. The green was fine but the gold was really a great choice. Thanks so much for the show and tell!
Lisa, I have purchased it both from Oakshott direct in England and from my source in British, Columbia Canada. I will contact her to find out which email to use.I don’t want her personal inbox flooded with requests!
I have to say that the Oakshott company is truly wonderful to work with over the internet. My order arrived fast and their customer service is fantastic.
Pam, I wing it free motion. Just kidding.
It is a stencil I bought awhile back from Anita Shackleford. It is VERY time intensive (a whole day to mark and partially stitch) just for that small pillow area. However, the results are so beautiful! I don’t know if I could do a large quilt with that before it drove me to the mad house.
Sandra,
Wonderful work. Will this also be the kit for the Block Party Quilters in September? If so I will be sure not to buy it when you have it on line.
Thank you,
Katheen
Kathleen,
Fabrics and thread will not be kitted for this so you are free to frolic in your stash! The pattern, templates, workbook, embroidery needles (bring your favorite applique needle) will be in the class kit.
Here is the supply list: http://sandraleichner.com/images/Dynamic_applique_supply_list.pdf
Dear Sandra
I looked up Anita’s stencil – is yours the half inch or quarter inch size ? I note your addition of stippling in the squares brings it up a few notches.
The pillow is lovely and it is interesting to follow your creative journey.
Sara, I think this is the quarter size one I am using.
Hi Sandra, Thanks for the information on the pillow. Could you tell me what do you prefer to mark your stencil design with and which Bernina foot should be used for the ribbon?
Beth your question is timely, I am going to have a new post just on that Bernina foot! I mark my stencil with the blue washout marker. I think it is Clover brand. As long as it has a fine tip, then I am good to go.