Borders, Borders, Borders!

Can you see what is happening here?

If it's not perfectly clear, I've got the one big long border length I made face down on the machine bed and I am stay-stitching down both sides of the border length to anchor all of those seams and also preventing any stretch.

Piano key borders are like accordions...they really do have a lot of give, so stitching down either side just shy of 1/4'' from the edge will help with all of that.

And doing it back-side-up allows me to manage which way the seams need to go so they don't go flipping on the feed dogs.

Yeah, I see that wrong-way one coming up -

Stitching this way allowed me to put that wayward seam allowance back in its place.

It takes time.  And thread.  And be sure to check that you haven't run out of bobbin along the way while sewing down miles of border edges.

Go ahead and ask me how I know, though I bet you already know the answer!

I wanted a mitered corner look, but hate mitering corners one at a time, so I made string pieced half-square triangle blocks to use as cornerstones to achieve the same effect.

I call it a faux-miter.  Except -

Be sure you have it facing the right way when you sew it on to your top and bottom borders - because I didn't!

More seam ripper time to remove that wrong-way corner block.

That's so much better!

Tada!

And here's a shot of the wayward corner turned right.

So what's the next step?  Since I'm not going to hand quilt this one (As the video says it would take me 3 years from Christmas to get it done...) and I'm going to long arm with a baby pink thread to not shout out too loud against the white areas -

I can go a bit more piece-y on my backing!

Let's clear out some stuff that has been sitting around for too long, shall we?

I'm thinking some big hunka-chunka florals that need to go.  This bin is full of big florals (that I just really don't use in quilt fronts) and see what I can do to make some breathing space in here while also making a very fun backing.

I did this with the florals for my Rockabilly Swing quilt.

I did 8 1/2'' widths of columns here.  I'm thinking I may go wider this go around using my 16 1/2'' ruler to cut the widths.  Lengths may vary.

And I'll have a place to include special fabrics I've picked up on travels like this Australian print featuring Kangaroos, Koalas and Parrots. Plus flowers!

Keeping the pieces wide will really allow the prints to do their thing.

I've got a good start here!

Any rectangle that is full width-of-fabric will likely be cut in half so I can spread that print around a bit more.

And the rest of the day? What can I say?

Hazel is pole dancing around the Singer 201.

She's doing big stretches while sleeping??

And the quilters are in the house! I took this photo as they were just settling in.  Nothing was on design walls yet, but I'm sure I'll be seeing some gorgeous works in progress today.

It's wonderful to have the house full again.  Here's to a remarkable 7th season!

And I'm getting good morning texts with photos from quilters snuggling up with Hazel Grey.  

Quilters and cats just go together and Hazel has landed in the right spot!

Quilters may be going to the quilt shop today - I'll be piecing a backing in between visiting - 

What do you have in store?

Are you dreaming of coming with me to Romania in June? June is stated to be the most beautiful month to visit. I can't wait.

We still have some spots available, and I was told that the cut off date for those who wish to join me is March 6th - so hurry! Get your reservation in NOW!

Find out more on my Craftours travel page.

I'm looking forward to making some travel memories together with you!

Quiltville Quote of the Day -

Happy Friday, everyone!