Thursday, November 24, 2011

"Steps," and Analogies

I won this clever notebook a long time ago from one of YOU, and have I ever used it on THIS project!  I am so sorry I don't remember who it was - Can I use the "senior citizen" excuse? 

I'm making a bargello-type border to surround my "Steps" quilt (aka "One Step at a Time." Making this quilt has been an incredible personal journey - yes, we've all heard that term with our quilts but this quilt is following me (or is it leading me?) right along. It represents many analogies such as "One Step at a Time," "If you get lemons, make lemonade," "If you want something different, you have to change something," "Take it Easy," "Use What you Have," "Be Happy," "Attitude Adjustment", and even "If your border (your life!) IS a little too bold, it is still beautiful!" 

Below are some of the strata units, waiting to be unsewn and resewn into bargello strips.  (huh??? )  Each one is unsewn at a different point, in order to get the movement to visually go around the quilt.  I chose the dark blue as my marker -- if you want the design to visually turn the quilt corners, you must choose one fabric and stick with it.  It's easy to get them turned around or dropped or you lose concentration, and then NOTHING works correctly (see? another life lesson!).  They should meet in the middle and at the corners.  Meeting in the middle (there's another one of those life lessons!) occasionally has to be gently re-engineered.     

Here's one corner which is exactly like the other corner to the left.  This is especially where I used the graph paper in my notebook.

 
 Below is the center of the two ends, where they have to meet in the middle. And they did, with a little bit of narrow seam allowance-fussing.  I inserted 3 more units.  8-))

I've made this border before, being inspired by a Scrappy Bargello block from Quiltville.com, and am thrilled with how it goes together, looking a LOT harder than it is.  Using an even number of strips in a strata, pressing the seams in opposite directions and reasonably careful cutting of the strata, is not difficult, but it DOES take some time.  And one has to start at the outside of the border, and work towards the center, leaving the corners 'til the end, if you want the pattern to go around.   It's so orderly and graphic - And yes, I KNOW it is going to be uhhh, bold and beautiful!  8-)))

11 comments:

  1. I do love these colors, Elaine. I can't wait to see the whole thing--quilt and border together!

    ReplyDelete
  2. love the border!I am usually to impatient to do a pieced border! I need to be a bit more patient and let my quilts tell me what they want! I was not me that gave you the notebook, but the pattern is from Terry Atkinson. Its a freebie on her blog: http://terryatkinson.typepad.com/atkinsondesigns/2008/12/airplane-art-binder.html I like mine too..and use the twistable colored pencils. I am SUCH a kid! Hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving!

    ReplyDelete
  3. That is going to look gorgeous! Noticed the little stuffed cat - looks like a Bonnie Kucera pattern as she gave a finished one to me a couple of years ago.

    ReplyDelete
  4. This looks like fun. Again, you inspire me!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I have many of those I can't remember moments, don't feel bad. Your project looks fun.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wow, Elaine. Looks impressive. I'm usually too tired by the time I get to the border!! Very inspiring. How's your Orca Bay coming? Or are you doing that at some other time? Goo luck on your progress with the border!.......Debra in Ma.

    ReplyDelete
  7. My dear Elaine,
    Thank you for this post that is filled with all kinds of inspiration; on life, love, and quilting. I think your bargello borders have a lot of pizazz! And nobody can remember everything, all the time! LOL!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Love your bargello borders. Thank you for your visuals and tips on turning corners, etc. Great info!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I have only made one Bargello quilt. It was a black/white/red quilt in a Fons and Porter magazine. I love how it turned out. Unfortunately it is on a hanger in the closet waitng to be quilted. I want feathers of course.
    I need to come watch you quilt on the 6500P. Even though I have bought all the DVD's and workbooks you have reccomended, I still have not tried any of those techniques.
    XOXOXO Subee

    ReplyDelete
  10. You have reminded me that I want to make another of this type. I've never made one in the diamond shape, but I really like the looks of how yours is going. I'm working on another of the Strip Twists from Bonnie Hunter's site.

    ReplyDelete

I no longer will accept Anonymous comments. I hope my adjustments to Comments do not cause anyone hardships.