6.06.2012

WIP {Basting & Quilting the Rainbow Quilt}


Well, I got around to picking the backing for the scrappy rainbow quilt and ended up using a colorful flower sheet from my childhood.  My Mom had saved it for me and we talked about how it would make a nice quilt back.  And I think she was totally right.  The white in the sheet also helps balance out the intense amount of color on the front.  As a bonus it's so very soft from all the washing and use!

WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced

This Week's Work in Progress (WiP) Stats:
Last WiP Wednesday Total: 9
New Projects: 0
Finished Projects: 0 (almost done with bottled rainbows)
Total WiP's: 9



I decided to finish this quilt a little different than normal.  A little easier even.  I put the right sides of the quilt and the backing together and then stitched around the edge leaving a portion unsewn. 


The unsewn part is then used as a hole to turn the quilt right sides out.  I sttiched a 1/4 seam all the way around and closed up that hole.  For the life of me I can't think of the name for this!  But, it means that the quilt edge is finished now and I will not be adding binding which is perfect because my lack of ability to settle on a binding color/fabric was keeping me from finishing this one.


Then, I was off to add a bit of quilting.  Since the front is so busy I was also experiencing paralysis in deciding how to quilt this one.  Then it struck me.  Turn the quilt over and trace the flowers in the quilting.  The organic shape of the flowers and wide spacing should help soften the harsh square lines of the front.  Sometimes I really surprise myself!

I settled on an off white thread for the front and put that in the bobbin since the quilt is upside down and I am using a bright turquoise on the back.


I'm a little more than half way now and head over heels for the result.  Here is a closer look at the blue outlining I am doing on the daisies; cool, right?  And yes, I have snuck a few looks at the front and it's pretty cool too.  My last touch may be to add a quote or happy saying around the edge of the quilt, but I'm still deciding on that one.  Any ideas on a quote you would capture on a bright quilt like this?

...and I still can't wait to throw this one in the wash and see how the edges of the scraps on the front soften up. 

Don't you just love it when a quilt can excite you this much?  Sew on!

8 comments:

Shannon said...

I love the idea of quilting around the daisies on the back! That should result in a lovely, evenly spaced pattern on the front. Great idea!

Kris from Duke Says Sew What said...

Such a pretty sheet and a great way to quilt it. I love it when the ideas just evolve. Can't wait to see the front quilted!

OPQuilt said...

We used to call it the pillowcase method, but I'm not sure WHY we called it that. I've done mostly smaller quilts that way, but am glad to hear that's it's working out well on your larger quilt.

I used up all my sheets like that long ago--sleeping on them. I wish I had been like your Mom and saved a few, because that is such a cute background! And your quilting is so perfect. Can hardly wait to see it all done.

Elizabeth E.
opquilt.com

Anonymous said...

Great idea to quilt from the back!
And I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the idea of using a childhood sheet! That is going to be the softest quilt ever!

The Thompsons said...

What a fun use of a childhood sheet - love it!

Beth said...

What a great idea for the quilting. Looks great.

Marjorie's Busy Corner said...

What a fun quilt!!! I love your quilting idea!!

Melinda said...

Great idea! I like the idea of almost reverse quilting it from the back to the front. The fabric I bought for the back of mine is also floral but rich with color. I hope that wasn't a mistake. Can't wait to see it done!

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