Friday, October 23, 2015

To Tree or Not to Tree

Last week there wasn't much to show on the Overlook landscape, although the quilt-top piecing was finished. This week brought more action.




Binder clips and masking tape were used to hold the backing smooth (not taut--which is generally a mistake. Guess how I know. ;)










Before layering the quilt top on the batting and the backing fabric, a final sticky-roll was done on the back of the quilt top. It was the last time I would ever see this surface, and I don't want any nasty surprises showing through the sky fabric after the quilt is done. Too late then!









The old vinyl-covered, lead pattern-weights shown in a recent blog were used to hold the batting in place for basting.
 After many hours of free-motion quilting (including the satin stitching), it's close to being finished...




...except for the handwork, consisting of two thread-painted trees and two or three shrubs (stacked behind one another in the photo), which will be tucked under those un-quilted grass sections---but only after the quilt is blocked, trimmed and bound. This keeps the trees and shrubs from getting ratty during quilting and handling.

Their positions have been tentatively decided, but they will be auditioned again before attaching. That's because there's a fine line between embellishing and cluttering, especially in a scene this busy. Also, having the binding already on is going to make a difference in the overall appearance of the quilt, which means some of these thread-painted pieces may look better switched or may even need to be omitted.

So, to tree or not to tree....that is the question. Or will be.



Meanwhile, the rows for the twin-size donation quilt are still waiting. The batting pieces are cut but the backing still needs to be pieced. Looking forward to trying this method of quilting and joining, one row of top and batting at a time, onto an overall, one-piece backing. (My shoulders and neck are not yet ready to wrestle with a whole quilt at once, regardless of the size of my harp space.) My friend Kathy quilts this way all the time, and her quilts are gorgeous. Crossing my fingers I can do her proud.


Linking up with Free Motion Mavericks and Whoop Whoop Fridays. Check them out; you'll be glad you did.

Have a wonderful weekend, in whatever hamlet you happen to live.

Linda

12 comments:

  1. to tree! I love your trees, and one in the foreground will be such a focus... well show us a pic of the tree laying on the background. Your work is amazing, and that word is overused but true in your case. I love the realism and depth.
    And BTW, if you made a halloween quilt it would be so spooky.... not a traditional one, but a moody one. Can't wait to see if you do one. LeeAnna

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    1. You're right, it would be moody! How fun that will be.

      The trees thank you and so do I. Pretty sure they will pass all post-auditions, and also fairly certain the white bush will as well. The other two bushes will have to try to pass muster a couple more times before it's over. Took several 'with' and 'without' camera shots today and will show them soon on the blog. Thanks so much for your input. I consider you an expert on color!

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  2. It's coming along beautifully, Linda. I have quilted large quilts the way you are attempting and it does make it easier on the quilter. Blessings,

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    1. Thanks, Angie. That is reassuring. Can't wait to get started, but guess I'd better finish the landscape first. Thanks for stopping by!

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  3. :o My word. That's amazing! The textures on that must be something else! The details are fascinating, looking forward to see how you go on the all-important tree question. :)

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    1. The quilting is finished and I'm STILL not sure...but it will work out somehow. Thank you :)

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  4. Your landscape is looking fantastic!

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  5. Oh my gosh, Linda!!! It's always so stunning the way quilting takes these into a whole new sphere of amazement. I cannot wait to see this one's end look! And the cabin landscape is also going to be a stunner.

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    1. Lynette, I can only hope. LOL Thank you, I agree that quilting changes the landscape tremendously. It surprises me every time.

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  6. Hello Linda,

    I love the tussocky effect with the quilting of the grass in the foreground.

    This is probably a bit late, but I'm all for the trees going on. The bare twigged shrub is brilliant.

    Thank you for linking up with Free Motion Mavericks!

    Love, Muv

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    1. Tussocks...! I had completely forgotten that word, but it is perfect. Oh, what age does to the vocabulary. The trees made the cut, and at least one shrub will be attached. Definitely not all three, though. It got way too cluttered at that point. I hooked up the newer blog just now, since I technically did free motion on the quilt this week--just can't show it until finished next week. If that's cheating, let me know, it won't hurt my feelings! :)

      Love,
      Linda

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