How To Create A Scalloped Border For Your Quilt

In my last blog post I shared my most recent mosaic quilt, "Whitney Lake".  If you missed it, you can find it HERE.

I like using a scalloped border, whether it is the inner, outer or edge.  

It really makes a plain border, very elegant and special.

I used it on my quilt, "South of France", as the inner border:

and on my first large mosaic quilt," Keyfetti Fish", created while wintering in Key West. This border is scalloped and a facing was used to finish the edge. (It was photographed on a black background.)

35" x 48"

I have used a few diffferent methods to create a scalloped border for a quilt.  The key to them all is, Curvalicious.It's a cutting guide I developed about 5 years ago.  I designed it to make curved looking quilts, but I found out that I could use it for amazing and complex looking borders.

It measures 24" long.  The Curvalicious website shares lots of ways to use it as well as a link to my YouTube video demoing it as a border tool.

When the quilt's dimensions are divisble by 6, a mitered border might be the best method to use.  Otherwise, the method I used for Whitney Lake works well and is pretty simple.

First, I added a 4" border all the way around the quilt.

 After quilting the border, scallop the border using Curvalicious and a 28mm rotary cutter.

 It is a bit of a challenge to cut through all the layers, but it's so worth it. Sometimes you need a little scissors help. To achieve balanced corners, make sure you stop about 6" from the edge.

Using tracing paper or parchment paper, or any paper  you can see  through, create a curved corner.  I fold  the paper in half to make sure it's symmetrical. I use that template to trim each corner.

Then I made a 2" strip of bias binding.  After stitching it to the front with 1/4" seam allowance, I turned it to the back and with the help of wonder clips, I handstitched it to the back.

And Voila!

A border that really frames a quilt.

We Have A Winner and My Key West Home

I have received many inquiries about our home in Key West and I appreciate every body's concern. There have been bits of news coming out of the island, but there is no cell service  (nor water or power) and information is scarce.  It appears that Key West did not suffer the devastation that some of the other keys experienced.

From NOAA  we have been able to see satellite imagery of our courtyard.  It looks like the roofs are in tact.  That's good news.  Now we are anxious to hear if there has been any water damage.  I imagine it will be several more days or maybe a week, before someone actually checks our place.  

Key West has been the inspiration for much of my fiber art.

I am trying to keep myself busy while waiting for news.

On to happier news.  The giveaway for my Island Batik blog hop is over.  

And the winner is:

Sylvia Jackson

Congrats Sylvia.  The stack of batiks will be on the way to your fabric stash as soon as I get your address.  Many people commented and it was so fun to hear your back to school excitement.  By far, most of us looked forward to new clothes and that beautiful, big box of crayons!  

Thanks to all those that entered,   

It's Monday, Again

It was a busy week, between lecturing and teaching  a workshop at Byrne Sewing Connection in Doylestown and the Penn Oaks Quilt Show.  The people who work at Byrne's, including the owner,  Debbie Byrne and the customers, could not have been warmer and more eager to learn.  I presented my newest talk, Turning Travel Into Treasures.  Since most of my quilts are inspired by my travels, it's a talk rich in many styles of my quilts spanning many years.

I was so cauht up with setting up my talk and having a full workshop plus a couple that I didn't take any photos. I need to remind myself to TAKE SOME PHOTOS!!!! Since I didn't take any photos, I thought I would share some photos of the quilts that I shared and the inspiration.

Called Casa Talavera, this was inspired by multiple trips to Mexico and their beautiful ceramic tiles.

Called Concentricity -  was a result of a morning walk in St. Augustine, FL.  It was inspired by a detail in the sidewalk.  Lots of different fabrics were used including organza, silk and lame.

Filigree Fantasy was inspired by the wrought iron doors and balconies in Barcelona.  The center is a motif from the children's area at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, PA. The applique is fused and stitched down by hand with hand dyed cotton floss.

 This is a quilt top that  I just can't decide how to quilt.  On a morning walk while visiting my brother in Phoenix, there were these huge cactus plants that had these huge red bulbous protrusions, that I guess are the flowers.  While most of the circles are cotton, some are velvet, some are wool and some  are silk.

Primmitive Seasons is a fictional depiction of a flowering weeping willow throughout the 4 seasons.  I loved doing all of the handstitching.  The circles in the 3 borders are wool pennies.

 Keyfetti Fish uses my mosaic technique and was created while spending a couple of months in Key West.

Beachalicious makes me think about childhood summers at the Long Island beaches.  It's one of my patterns using Curvalicious and can be purchased from my Etsy shop.

And I just have to share that I was thrilled that Funkytown won a 2nd place ribbon at the Penn Oaks Quilt Show.  I'm a new member and am so impressed how this small guild puts on this wonderful quilt show.

It's actually my newest pattern made with Curvalicious.  It;s also available in my Etsy shop.

Don't forget to come back on Friday for the latest Stitchography interview.  This Friday, Patty Young shares how she manages to run a business and be a Mom.  You'll like to read about her experience  as a fabric designer for Riley Blake Designs and her company MODKID - where she sells high quality sewing patterns for girls, tweens and women's clothing as well as accessories.

First Finish of the Season

Most quilters share their first finish of the year, but my year really begins when I am settled in Key West for the winter months. My first finish was started 2 years ago. I have spent the time since then, maybe not all of that time, trying to figure out if I wanted to add a border. If I bordered the quilt, did I want to add a traditional border or make it out of tiny pieces of fabric like the body. This was how I left it. The hot pink fabric did a nice job of containing it. I was motivated to finish it so I could share it with my students during my class at the American Quilt Society Show at the end of this February in Daytona. It measures 48"W x 38"L.

Some of you may have seen my first attempt at a traditional border.

The dark blue was just too heavy. I unstitched it on the drive down here.
I had to make a visit to the local quilt shop, The Seam Shoppe, at great personal sacrifice, to look for a border fabric. Actually, it's like a homecoming. I love the owner Cindy and her son, Nick. Not only is it a quilt shop, but they also do reupholstery and decorating. They do a lot of reupholstering for hotels, boat owners and homeowners. They do amazing work and sometimes with the oddest shapes.
Cindy helped pick this fabric for my border. I wasn't 100% convinced, but it seemed to be the only choice. After attaching

2 1/2" borders along the edges, I knew I needed to "curvalicious" it. (Pardon my self promoting.) Happiness!!

And here are some close ups.

I love the texture that all the little bits of the different fabrics provide. I've come up with a fun name for this new technique, Confetti Quilting. What do you think?

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22 Hours In The Car, What would you do?

What do you do on those long car rides, when you are not the driver? Two days sitting in the car as a passenger with a dog on my lap a good part of the time, would make me crazy if I had nothing to do but stare at the scenery. So on our drive to Key West, I try to have a bunch of projects. I apologize to those in advance, who get car sick while stitching or reading.

1. I unstitched a border from one of my quilts that had two rows of stitching. Don't ask. I was lazy. The border was just too heavy. I thought per emoting the border would be a good car project, and it was. I am still searching for a good border fabric.

2. Stitching the circles down on a Curvalicious skinny quilt.

3. Hexies - This is my new fascination. I think it will occupy me for many hours. I am intrigued by La Pascigalia quilts. If you don't know what they are, search for them on Pinterest. If you don't know what Pinterest is, I can't help you.

 

I love the gluing. I haven't started the stitching yet, but this is my plan.

 

4. My book for the trip was "The Little Spark" by Carrie Bloomston. Carrie is a creativity coach and motivator. This book is meant to be used as a workbook. The beginning of the book is about how to begin and overcome the fear of failure. I have lots of ideas for quilt projects, but often lack focus and sometimes have the fear that my project won't turn out the way that I have envisioned. She says that you shouldn't be stingy with your art supplies, because that could hinder you.

I am looking forward to reading more of this.

We are settling in to our home away from home.

My sewing machine is set up and I may even get to sew today. I will certainly share my projects as I go as well as share any of my Key West adventures. I decided not to start a sketching project as I have done in years past, because I never follow through. I never even get past a week or two. There are a couple of classes at the local arts center(TSKW.org) that I am contemplating. I have even volunteered there to help host events.

Wishing all my friends that celebrate, a very Merry Christmas, filled with family and love and lots of good food. I miss you already.

 

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