Wednesday 20 March 2013

WIPW - or should I say Completion Report!

Work In Progress Wednesday. This week I can finally report on a finish! Believe it or not, the bias tape quilt is completed! I have even given it a name, Bellaflora.

I began this wall-hanging in July 2010, so it has taken a L O N G time to complete, but I can now finally hang it on the wall.
It measures 105 cm x 105 cm.


 'Bellaflora'



























It all started with this contribution to the 2011 NHK Partnership quilt blocks:



I really enjoyed framing appliqué pieces with bias tape and then embellish the tape with embroidery. Why not make a quilt for myself?





With no clear idea of how I wanted the quilt to look when completed or what size it should become, I set about making four central blocks of flowers.



After stitching them together I added the stems and leaves.








What follows is a brief description of the various borders, if you want to read more in detail please click on each link to go to previous blog posts.

A first border was added, embellished with an undulating bias tape onto which I have stitched sequins and embroidery.

Not satisfied with the size I added another border. By this time I had found inspiration in the pattern of an elegant old teacup and was very happy to add this design.

In a drawer I found a length of Jinny Beyer border print and used that for the next, narrow border. Then another border was added, with ric-rac and a central ornament.

Out of my stash I pulled a lacy trim which I stitched onto the next border with extra embroidery and ornamental corners. The second last border has chevron squares and sequins.
Last is a border of the remaining Jinny Beyer print, which I have simply quilted as it is quite attractive in itself.

Finally I turned the backing of the quilt to the front, overlapping the top and stitched on 848 blue and orange beads.






38 comments:

Debbie said...

Ohmygosh, that's beautiful! Great touch with the scrappy fabrics.

Chris(craft) and Dave(photos) Richards said...

Queenie,what a stunning piece......everything about this is beautiful! Love the colours and all the little details!
What a 'masterpiece'.....You should be so very proud !!!
hugs
Chris Richards
xxxxx

City Krafters said...

Amazing, I love it. It would win a prize why not enter it.
Well done.

brighid said...

What a beautiful quilt! Looking at it gives you peace at heart.

latha said...

Beautiful piece Queenie..All the stitches are so perfect and colors used are too good!! I have never made a quilt and this is a real inspiration...

Julie Fukuda said...

So much to see in one piece! Congratulations on an amazing finish!

Elizabeth's quarters said...

I love it–especially how you've combined print and embroidery, and just let the piece grow organically, rather than having a strict master plan to follow!

Pippas quilts said...

Wow well done it is stunning a really lovely work of art. It will look fabulous hanging on the wall.

margaret said...

a delight Queenie and so good to see your WIP completed so beautifully.

Cynthia@wabisabiquilts said...

Wowsa! What beauty and detail! At once folky and elegant. Congratulations!

Queeniepatch said...

Thanks, Debbie. It was fun to use up old scrap fabric.

Queeniepatch said...

Thank you, Chris! I am pleased as punch to hear you say that. Adding the details took a long time but I think it was worth it.

Queeniepatch said...

Thank you, H!
Your praise is worth more than a prize!

Queeniepatch said...

Oh, what a wonderful remark! It WAS very meditative to make.

Queeniepatch said...

Kind Latha, you are spoiling me with your praise. I am so glad if this has inspired you to make a quilt.

Queeniepatch said...

Thank you, Julie
There ARE a lot of details.
Unlike you I don't quilt fast, but take my time.

Queeniepatch said...

Thank you.
By letting the quilt grow 'organically' I felt the work was hassle free.

Queeniepatch said...

Thanks for your kind words Pippa,
Yes, it is good to have it on the wall and not in the lap any more!

Queeniepatch said...

Kind Margaret, thank you.
It is very rewarding to see it on the wall and know there is one fewer UFO lurking in the cupboard!

Queeniepatch said...

Thanks a lot, Cynthia.
You are very observant - it IS kind of folksy and a bit 'elegant', too.

Lins Artyblobs said...

I can see why it took a while to complete, there is lots of stitching and many details. Super quilt.

Annet said...

Congrats on your finish, Queenie! It's stunning! I didn't think it was this big at seeing your photo's every week. A lot of work went into this!

Isabelle said...

What a wonderful work. it is so delicate, and so precise, and your work is so even ! it must be a great satisfaction of completing such work. but will you not miss it a bit ? sometime, a long work began like a friend, isn't it ?

carorose said...

Bellissimo! It may have been a slow cloth but the end result justifies all the time you have put into it. I hope you have attached a label telling it's story? This is the kind of piece that will be passed on. Congratulations.

Queeniepatch said...

Thank you!
It is nice to see all the details on the wall instead of just under the needle.

Queeniepatch said...

Thank you Annet,
I wanted to make it large enough to maybe enter into a show so it had to grow...
Alas, the larger the size, the more work.

Queeniepatch said...

Thank you for your kind words, Isabelle.
As for missing it, well, it will be hanging near me as I work on the next project, so I think it will rather keep me company. As for missing the WORK, well, I will just have to get going on another UFO!

Queeniepatch said...

Thank you, Carolyn,
I feel very honoured by your praise, 'Miss'.
There will be a decorative label, but the story ends up documented in the scrapbook with photographs. Hopefully the documentation will stay as guarded as I quilt, for the sake of future generations.

Anonymous said...

A fantastic looking quilt!

Queeniepatch said...

Thank you, Susan.

Lis Harwood said...

Words are not really enough to voice my love of this quilt, what a labour of love and a fabulous result. The details is wonderful and I'm sure you will enjoy this quilt hanging near you. I didn't realise it was such a big piece of work either, no wonder it took you longer than you expected when you set out. I think you must be feeling very pleased with yourself at this finish, it's superb.

Marjolein said...

WOW, you can be very proud on this wonderful finish. The central flowers look extraordinary, I love the border with curly green stems with pink flowers, the use of bias tape is very inspirational.
Congratulations!

Stitching Lady said...

Bellaflora is just so beautiful - real artwork. It will win prices if you will ever show it in exhibitions.

Queeniepatch said...

Thank you for your kind comments. Then I really wish you are a quilt judge, ha, ha!

Queeniepatch said...

Thank you, Marjolein
Kind words from an expert like you is worth so much.
I, too, am especially fond of the 'tea-cup' border and there is so much you can do with bias tape and trims.

Queeniepatch said...

Hi, Lis, and thank you so very much for your kind comments.
One wonderful thing with a medallion/border quilt is that when you add another border it grows in all four directions. As you experienced with the wedding quilt, however, the amount of stitching and quilting is also growing at an alarming speed, hence you get a time consuming quilt.

Claudia said...

Congrats to this wonderful wonderful quilt! You can really be proud! Such an eye candy!

Stitching Lady said...

Oh Queenie, With me as a judge you would get many prizes.