May 31 12
Repeat Block Tulip Quilt and a Sale
I finally pieced together my 4 large tulip blocks to make a wall hanging. Over 50 embroidered quilt blocks stolen from my car, but these 4 blocks survived because they were so large that they had been rolled onto a long cardboard tube and they weren’t in any of my suitcases that were stolen. I’d been reluctant to finish the wall hanging just because it was kind of a bittersweet memory for me. Anyway, here’s what they looked like once I’d pieced them together and they were placed on the floor:
These blocks may look familiar as this is the same tulip block that had been set on point in this other quilt that was stolen:
I really like how this block works well in both settings. In this “on square” setting, there are large”empty” spaces that are formed where the blocks join, and I think that center space might be a good spot to quilt a pretty feathered wreath. Not sure yet, but I think half wreaths will work in the 4 side empty spots where the blocks join up.
Here’s a shot of what the backside of this top looks like:
There are a lot of extra “layers” of stuff on these machine embroidered quilt blocks. This closeup of the backside of one block will probably make this a bit clearer:
The greyish-white layer that extends over the backside of the entire block is a layer of fusible interfacing. The reason you see “seams” is because the block is so large that the width of the interfacing doesn’t cover it, so what appears to be a seam is really a point of overlap. The other areas of a whiter-white are a medium weight cut away stabilizer. This is a blend of polyester and cellulose and it has a fabric-like drape to it. You’ve got to have a good stabilizer on board when you’re doing this kind of dense stitching. I’ve stitched a number of machine embroidered applique quilts now, and most of them are larger than this one, but this quilt top weighs a ton more than any quilt top I’ve ever pieced before! Normally, when I spray baste a quilt together, I don’t have to use any pins, but I did on this one because I thought the weight of the top might cause the layers to come apart. I’m just at the stage of outlining all the appliques with invisible thread:
Today I started quilting and realized I couldn’t handle it on the desk I use, so I put my machine on my large cutting table. It was so much easier having the table to keep the majority of the quilt on.
Debbie
Beautiful. I think these are actually far btter than your beautiful projects that were stolen. I’m happy to see you are finding strength to go forward. Of course, I wish I lived closer and could stich out with you, but if there is anything I can do to help remotely, just let me know. Love your work.
Your #1 stalker,
SewCalGal
http://www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com
I’m new to your Blog, so don’t know who is who. Where would I find Nikki’s shop?
It must be heartbreaking to do it all again, but I think I like this even more. It is glorious.
It’s beautiful. I knew you had some theft…did not realize it was that many blocks. That’s really tough. But you have a wonderful quilt here.