September | 2015 | Simple Bird Applique

This past weekend I finally put the binding and hanging sleeve on my “Friends of Baltimore”. I am reluctant to actually finish this quilt. Not sure why. I think it marks the end of a journey that I just don’t want to end, but I have loved sharing the journey on my blog!

First, I made sure the corners were square.

Then I trimmed the batting and backing. I always find this step most nerve-wracking. It just seems so much could go wrong at this point!

I carefully machine stitched the binding to the quilt, making sure that the seam was exactly where it was supposed to be so that the triangles on the sawtooth border were perfect triangles and had all 3 points!

So far, so good!

Next, I made a pot of tea (or two) and hand-stitched the binding in place. Thank goodness for audible books! And as usual, I had lots of company!

Here are a few more blocks showing the amazing machine quilting that Ruth Quinn from Stitching Impressions did. If you check out her blog, you will see that Ruth describes in detail how she came up with the designs for each of the blocks. Very informative! Ruth is displaying my quilt in her booth at the Simcoe County Rug and Craft Fair this coming weekend. Hope to see you there! It is always a great show, with not only quilts, but hooked rugs, spinning and the most amazing sugar pie you have ever tasted.

If you are stitching Bed of Roses along with me, you will receive Block 4 this week. This package will include the first border, so here are a few helpful hints.

Cut 15 assorted pink rectangles according to the directions. Stitch these rectangles together, but only stitch half way up the seam (about 2 “). Press these seams open.

Place the bottom edge of this strip along the edge of the border and stitch in place.

Next, make a template of the curve provided in the pattern. I used plastic template material. Trace the curve on each of the rectangles. I am not going to lie, when I first read the directions, I was a little leary of this process, but it is pretty slick. I’m impressed!!

So is Bruin. Very Impressed.

Before I forget, the white border is cut extra long, so don’t be concerned that the pink strip is shorter than the border.

Okay, so now just trim 1/4″ away from the and start to stitch!

Slick. Indeed!!

Til next time…

Kerry

Block 4 of Sue Garman’s “Bed of Roses” could very well be my favourite block…so far! Do not be intimidated. This block is very simple. Yes…even for a beginner. First, I started with the bias strips.

Next, I added the leaves.

The flowers are sooooo easy! They are really all the same shapes, just different sizes. It is the fabrics that make them come alive!. I have added 3 more fabrics to this block, so there is a good variety of light, medium and dark pink.

I mean, really, could it get any easier?

So once all the flowers were finished….

…..I added the berries.

By the way, I almost never leave the house without my bag of applique. We are going to a friend’s cabin for the day, so I am prepared. Because heaven forbid I sit there with nothing to do!