Our local quilt show was a great success! The quilts were awesome and very inspiring! I volunteered to demonstrate hand-quilting, which meant I had to stop working on “Bouquet for a New Day” for a week or so, just so I would actually have something to hand-quilt! I was definitely going through some sort of withdrawal, and so I was happy to begin working on it again. Here I am at the museum with my friend, Janet.
Since I was not hand-quilting in the evenings, I needed something else to do. So I finished stitching the first border of “Civil War Bride”. I started thinking that if I only worked on one quilt at a time, I could accomplish more in a shorter amount of time, but who has that kind of attention span? (Not me…the more ongoing projects, the happier I am!)
So I did the same thing to the border that I did to all of the blocks. I filled the sink with hot, soapy water, took a deep breath and threw the block in the water! I let it soak for an hour or so.
Then I put it flat on a towel to dry.
Once it was dry, it was time to trim the border to the correct size. Here is what I did. First I taped the paper pattern together. 
Then I measured the pattern to make sure it was the correct size according to the directions (56″). The line I measured represents the finished size, and does not include the seam allowance. So I will trim the border to 56 1/2″ long.
I thought it might be a good idea to measure the quilt, just to make sure that it was the correct size. (56 1/2″) So far, so good!
Next, using my light box, I pinned the border on the pattern and lined up all the leaves and birds and flowers, to make sure the everything was centred properly.
Then I used a water soluble marker and marked the line. Remember, the line on the pattern represents the finished size, so I need to cut 1/4″ away from the drawn line. So now my border measures 56 1/2″.
So after all of that measuring and re-measuring, cutting and stitching, here we go!
Til next time…
Kerry
Simple Bird Applique 
Great tutorial, and beautiful quilt!
Absolutely beautiful! Tell us about your lightbox. It looks like a drawer from something?
Do you hand sew your appliqué pieces? I ask only because you seem to accomplish a great amount of beautiful work and I know many people are doing their appliqué with other methods. Beautiful pieces you do!
Thanks for the lovely comment! Yes, I stitch all of my applique by hand.
I am so impressed! May I ask do you use thread to match the fabric and what kind of thread do you use?
I use 60 weight Mettler fine embroidery thread, which is 100% cotton. I have tried others, but I always go back to Mettler.
Very nice border pattern. I’m sure your little four-footed friend enjoys helping you quilt.
Sometimes they are too much help!!
Gorgeous border!
Thanks!
Ahhh, beautiful! That trimming part of making a nice quilt with lots of work always makes me nervous!! It’s always a good idea to measure more than once!! Nice to see your pretty smiling face!
Thanks, Missie: Believe me, I was super relieved when the border actually fit!!
Just beautiful. Your applique work is perfection.
Thanks for the lovely comment!
The trimming part is still heart-stopping for me!
I always take my time and really think about what I am doing. It is nerve-wracking, I must admit!
Kerry, your border is as beautiful as your blocks! I’ve never gotten to the point where I can even do a border! I’ve got so many blocks that need to become quilts.
We all do!
Your border is beautiful as are the blocks. I am sure I could spend hours just looking at the detail.
Talking about going into withdrawals just cracks me up! When you’re in the mood to do hand work, there really is no substitution is there?:) LOVE your border work. Great tutorial on making sure it goes onto the rest of the quilt perfectly!
I commend you on you efforts and success. I love it when a quilter succeeds so perfectly.
Thanks so much! A lovely comment!
I am just in awe of you and your work
~a devoted fan!
Thanks!
You do incredible work, probably because you have a kitty to help you! And that is a very nice picture of yourself.
Thanks!
i am very pleased to have found a blog like yours, is really beautiful
Thanks! Glad you dound me!