Thoughtful Thursday
Well, today is my birthday. Unlike last year, when I hit the BIG FIVE OH, this year 51 seems to pale in comparison. I sit here this morning and wonder if I will even find time to quilt today. It would certainly make my birthday complete if I could!
I do not really have a topic for today, but I was wondering, if I could make myself a birthday quilt, what would it look like?
Now, I assumed that would be an easy answer and make this a short article, but I am quite surprised at the fact that I have no idea what I would make in honor of today. So, that leaves me with no other alternative than to design this virtual quilt for myself right now by process of elimination.
First, the fabric. This is a no-brainer. I am a batikaholic, so it would definitely be made entirely from batiks!
Second, the colors. First and foremost, my main color would have to be purple, since that is my favorite color. If I were to select one other color to go with it, it would probably be a bright teal or a bright green (almost a lime green, even). Then I might throw in a splash of blue, if I could find the perfect color to coordinate with the other two.
Third, the layout. I think today I feel like it is an on-point type of day, so I would set it on-point.
Fourth, the technique/method I would use for the blocks. I would probably choose to appliqué and the patterns would probably be floral, since spring is trying pretty hard (and failing miserably) to hit this area, plus it is also my favorite season.
Fifth, the borders. I would love to appliqué a vine of some sort around the borders. I have always wanted to do that, but never quite had the time to do it when I actually get to the borders. It seems like I can see the end in sight and I want it finished, so even though I have considered it, it has never happened. But, since this is my virtual birthday quilt, these borders would have appliquéd vines.
Sixth, the quilting. Now here is where I really draw a blank. If it were a pieced quilt, I would simply machine-quilt a nice meandering pattern. But since I am appliquéing this one, would I still meander? My nice blocks would be appliquéd using a button-hole stitch, probably black perle cotton (which seems to be my favorite). So, after contemplating this for a minute, I would still meander, using either a thread to match the background or even an invisible/clear thread.
Seventh, the binding. I would simply put on what I think of as a traditional binding. I cut strips 2.5″ wide, sew the strips together with a diagonal seam, and sew it to the front side of the quilt. I then turn it to the back and hand-stitch the binding down.
And finally, the label. I would design it in honor of today and probably put a birthday cake on it, with 51 in the middle of the cake. You know, those number-type candles that you can buy? The 51 would be imitating those types of candles.
And there we have it, my friends… This is Terry’s Virtual Quilt!
Now, if you had 10 miraculous minutes to make a special quilt for yourself today, what would it be?
quilting, quilts, quilt labels, quilt binding, quilt fabrics
April 12th, 2007 at 10:13 am
Wow, that’s a tough question. I’m a whiz at making quilts for other people but I’m always stuck when I try to come up with something for myself. For color, blue is my favorite and I’ve often admired blue/yellow quilts, so I’d probably do something in blue and yellow with maybe a touch of white-on-white thrown in for good measure. As for fabrics, I can see myself using Moda Marbles, Fossil Ferns, or maybe the Jinny Beyer palette. I’m really into tone-on-tone fabrics at the moment. Pattern… this is where I always get stuck. I love Ohio Stars, I love Log Cabins, maybe something that combines the two? In either case, the quilt would be pieced with no applique. That’s just not my strong suit LOL. Quilting… I’d probably do an allover pantograph of some sort, probably something with swirling lines to soften the lines of the log cabin blocks.
April 12th, 2007 at 10:16 am
Oh, and by the way… HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
April 13th, 2007 at 3:15 am
I’m fixing to start a quilt for DH & I. I’ll make it with a leafy fall fabric, along with Orange/yellow Fairy Frost and a Cream Fairy Frost. The pattern will be the Bear Paw as my DH loves it. Now the next one I make for myself will be Pastel colors and the Fabric will be Fairy Frost.
April 13th, 2007 at 8:15 am
Happy Birthday!!
As for my birthday quilt - it’s already made. :o) I did a round robin with a group of quilters that I’ve known online for nearly 10 years (OMG!!). It is HUGE - at least king size (120″ square) and I have no idea how to quilt it. I need to find a long arm quilter to do it for me, but finding someone to do a king size quilt is tough. This quilt is gorgeous - red, black, and white with some spectacular pieced borders put on by these great ladies. That would be the best birthday present I could give myself - getting that quilt out of the drawer and onto my bed.
April 13th, 2007 at 9:14 am
Happy Belated Birthday!
My bday quilt would be jewel tones; heavy on the amethyst cause I’m an Aquarius. It would be improvisational with raw edge appliqué somewhere - maybe even jewel shapes?
The label would be made on my brand new bday embroidery machine….*L*
It’s sitting over there next to my embellisher I got last year…..don’t I wish?
April 13th, 2007 at 10:16 am
Wow, sounds like I’d like to have all of your quilts, too!!! And thanks for the birthday wishes… I had a great birthday!
I think jewels done in jewel-tones is a cool idea; you should design that, Sequana! I also think red, black, and white make a striking quilt. I think it may have been Wilma that made her Jacob’s Ladder block from those colors and it was just flat BOLD. As for Fairy Frost fabric, I had never even seen it until about 2-3 months ago. It was absolutely gorgeous… just what I need; another fabric to be in love with. LOL
April 14th, 2007 at 1:09 am
Weird…I wrote a message here but it never posted!
Must not have liked what I said! LOL *smooch*
April 14th, 2007 at 1:31 am
For some reason, your message went into the spam filter and was deleted before I caught it. All the rest of your comments showed up; no clue as to why this one decided to be different. My apologies for the site’s blooper!