Friday, July 29, 2011

Jacob's Ladder, Border, and Label ideas

This hand-quilted pretty, "Candy Ladders" was made even before I had a blog, and I'm astonished it was never posted. The blocks are traditional Jacob's Ladder, 6 inch, yes 6 inches! It may be the last one I've ever done by hand, unfortunately. Many babies have come along, and I've given them 'ordinary' baby quilts, but I've seen that these days, new mothers don't quite understand the work that goes into a hand-quilted baby quilt, so I've hung onto it.

I'm posting it today because a blogger was asking for border suggestions. While this looks like a lot of work - well it IS, sorta, it certainly has been an excellent border. The squares finish at 1 inch. It travels well around corners, although you might have to fudge in the centers of the border, it uses up the scraps from the quilt, but you DO need ONE CONSISTENT color (white in this case), the same in every border block so the eye sees the flow going around the quilt. This was all based on Bonnie Hunter's, Scrappy Bargello at www.quiltville.com When I first started quilting a LOT, this simple block idea practically exploded in my head, with ideas, dreams, pictures, colors! LOLOL


Below is my favorite part -- the label is a pocket with a little Beanie Baby Bunny. What child would not LOVE that pocket with it's critter tucked into it. For a time, our LQS had Beanie Babies on sale for $2.00, and I bought a bunch, using the label/pocket in many kid quilts, and tucking a little critter inside.

20 comments:

  1. How cute to have the bunny tucked in like that! I'm filing this border in my ideas folder. Thanks for sharing.

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  2. Wonderful suggestions - I, too, love that pocket buddy.

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  3. Stunning!! Elaine..you out did yourself!! That border just makes this quilt sing!! LOVE IT!!
    P

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  4. What a clever idea to include a pocket pet! Such a sweet quilt, too!

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  5. Another prize! You have great ideas!

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  6. Very lovely!

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  7. That is just adorable! The border really set it off and I love the fabrics! I have given baby quilts - most of them machine quilted and I don't really know if they are used much. The mothers think they are too nice to be used, I think. The only hand quilted one I gave was the first baby quilt I ever made and I gave it to my latest GS, born last Dec. Don't know if it is being used or not. It isn't nearly as nice as yours, though!

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  8. It is a lovely quilt, with such tiny pieces ! The border fits perfectly. You are right to insist on the focus color such as your white, some Bargellos or Trips around the World would be better with it... I know, I made one without !

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  9. Beautiful quilt! I love the colors.

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  10. Elaine, this is STUNNING! What a fabulous quilt. And the border is PERFECT for this Jacob's Ladder pattern. You had a brilliant thought - thanks for sharing this one!

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  11. Wow - that border is impressive - but the overall look of the quilt is my favorite!

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  12. I love this quilt! The colours are so pretty, the design is beautiful, and the size is impressive!

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  13. GREAT border idea and that label is toooo cute :)e

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  14. What a great border idea. Your idea of a little Beanie Baby in a pocket on the back is too fun. Thanks for the ideas.

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  15. This is a beautiful quilt with a beautiful border. The litle animal in the label idea is real cute too. Nice job!

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  16. Oh my goodness, that quilt is absolutely breathtaking! I love the border and the bunny pocket!

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  17. Elaine you are always ahead of the curve! I've been collecting strips for a scrappy bargello but would have never thought to use it as a border treatment. Brilliant idea (gotta file that one too). And a cutie patootie quilt too!

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  18. That is such a beautiful quilt! The colors, the BORDER! I've seen you use this border before I think and I really need to try it on some quilt.
    Yes, sometimes I wonder if hand quilted items are appreciated. Sometimes even the machine quilted ones!

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  19. Ah HA! THis was the post I was looking for..... Now, I know what you mean by the marker (the white fabric)! Great choice! Thanks for sharing! Cathy vj

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