Sister's Choice Quilts

My interests are quilting, reading, cooking, family, decorating, and matters of style. I post regular quilting tutorials and book reviews of current fiction.

A Weekend Full of Finishes

A fellow quilting blogger recently asked the question "At what point in your quilt construction do you get bogged down?"  There were plenty of different answers.  Some folks let their quilts sit for months before they get the bindings sewn on.  Others love making the blocks, but hate the lay out and row construction. 

I have been guilty of many delaying tactics, but I have to say, my issue is borders.  I love getting those quilt tops together, and then I set them aside for a little rest.  Borders are boring.  Or they can be, I suppose.  I had a bit of a look around the sewing room last week and discovered I had a fair number of borderless quilt tops still waiting for that final step before they go off to the quilters.  I had my work cut out for me, but I made the most of this wonderful four day weekend.  Aside from Thanksgiving Day, I barely left my Bernina.

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Here is my completed blue and white quilt.  Please don't tell me you see a block turned the wrong way around.  It would be cruel at this point.  My gosh, I had trouble with this lay out.  I think it might have been easier if I had used blues all in the same tone.  I still like the effect though.

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This is Birdseye, with its final border.  I will be so happy to get this one back from the quilter so I can start using it.  This quilt just says "Autumn" like no other.

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Remember Prairie Paisley?  This poor thing has been waiting so long for its borders.  Once I get this one back from the quilter, I will display it from Memorial Day to Fourth of July.

And finally, Woo Hoo!  I am so proud of this one.  Flowers for Clara, complete with machine appliqued borders!  This is one huge quilt.  I couldn't get back far enough to fit it all into my camera lens!  I practically had to go outside and take the picture looking in the window.

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I made it just as the pattern showed, but am thinking it would be cool to put the applique motif in all four corners, and not just two of them.  Besides, I was having myself a good time once I got into the applique thing.  Now, I can't stop!  I am going to be putting appliques on everything.

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If you have not done much machine applique, please reconsider.  Start small, with dish towels to give as holiday gifts, or baby bibs, or aprons.  Once you start with applique you will love it.   Applique adds such a special touch to a quilt, I hope you will give it
a try.  I felt like a little girl again, cutting out
paper dolls.  My teachers always did say I had good scissor skills…

I kept referring to Barbara Brandeburg's wonderful tutorial, and it made all the difference.  She shows you how to trace the shapes onto fusible interfacing, how to iron them onto the applique pieces, and what stitches to use to sew them down.  Her pictures are great and she makes it look easy.  Shoot, it WAS easy!  I only goofed up once and ironed my interfacing to the right side of the fabric instead of the wrong side, but it was ok, I had extra fabric.

So now that I have four quilts finally off my "Finish It" list, I can buckle down on my Red and White Snowball quilt.  What a good feeling to get these done!

92 responses to “A Weekend Full of Finishes”

  1. What a wonderfully productive weekend you had!! They’re all beautiful, and I love your new banner as well. What pattern is it? You’re always an inspiration.

  2. What a wonderfully productive weekend you had!! They’re all beautiful, and I love your new banner as well. What pattern is it? You’re always an inspiration.

  5. Everything about this post is wonderful but this made me light up with joy for you, this feeling:
    —Besides, I was having myself a good time once I got into the applique thing. Now, I can’t stop! I am going to be putting appliques on everything.—-
    It feels good to read about the real good feelings that quilting brings out. These posts are special moments, good for the soul and (for me at least) they put a spring in my step.

  6. Everything about this post is wonderful but this made me light up with joy for you, this feeling:
    —Besides, I was having myself a good time once I got into the applique thing. Now, I can’t stop! I am going to be putting appliques on everything.—-
    It feels good to read about the real good feelings that quilting brings out. These posts are special moments, good for the soul and (for me at least) they put a spring in my step.

  9. What wonderful finishes to your quilt tops. It would be hard to pick a favorite of these. The blue & white would look good in my bedroom but the Birdseye is in the color range I love. I never purchased any of the Prairie Paisley fabrics but loved them right from the start.

  10. What wonderful finishes to your quilt tops. It would be hard to pick a favorite of these. The blue & white would look good in my bedroom but the Birdseye is in the color range I love. I never purchased any of the Prairie Paisley fabrics but loved them right from the start.

  11. Woo hoo… you had a very productive weekend. YGG! All the quilt tops are wonderful, but the Birdseye quilt is my favorite.

  12. Woo hoo… you had a very productive weekend. YGG! All the quilt tops are wonderful, but the Birdseye quilt is my favorite.

  15. Wow Nicole, you did an amazing job on those quilts– they are just beautiful! I think you’re right about applique on all 4 corners of the last one. Thanks for the Monday morning inspiration!

  16. Wow Nicole, you did an amazing job on those quilts– they are just beautiful! I think you’re right about applique on all 4 corners of the last one. Thanks for the Monday morning inspiration!

  19. I love your quilt tops. . . .now I can’t wait to see how they come back from the quilter.
    I’m glad that someone finishes things. . .gives me hope! he he he

  20. I love your quilt tops. . . .now I can’t wait to see how they come back from the quilter.
    I’m glad that someone finishes things. . .gives me hope! he he he

  21. Congratulations on your completed tops! Way to go! I especially love Birdseye and Flowers for Clara. The colors are superb! Can’t wait to see them all quilted, too! :o)

  22. Congratulations on your completed tops! Way to go! I especially love Birdseye and Flowers for Clara. The colors are superb! Can’t wait to see them all quilted, too! :o)

  25. Wow, you are awesome! I am proud of you for finishing all of the borders on these tops, that is so cool 🙂 You did a beautiful job on all of them.
    I always “stop” when I finish the top. Pinning them and quilting them is what takes me forever to get to, it’s a lot of work, but so worth it in the end.

  26. Wow, you are awesome! I am proud of you for finishing all of the borders on these tops, that is so cool 🙂 You did a beautiful job on all of them.
    I always “stop” when I finish the top. Pinning them and quilting them is what takes me forever to get to, it’s a lot of work, but so worth it in the end.

  27. Wow, woman! You’ve been busy. The quilts are lovely. Thanks for sharing. Me, I get bogged down when it’s time to quilt. Even though I don’t even quilt most of them, it seems I just have a hard time getting them to the quilter. I sort of lose interest unless I’m making them for a certain purpose and they have to get done.

  28. Wow, woman! You’ve been busy. The quilts are lovely. Thanks for sharing. Me, I get bogged down when it’s time to quilt. Even though I don’t even quilt most of them, it seems I just have a hard time getting them to the quilter. I sort of lose interest unless I’m making them for a certain purpose and they have to get done.

  31. My goodness, you do get a lot done! I had a house full of company all weekend, no quilting for me. It was wonderful to relax and spend lots of time with loved ones though. Back to stitchin’ today! :~)

  32. My goodness, you do get a lot done! I had a house full of company all weekend, no quilting for me. It was wonderful to relax and spend lots of time with loved ones though. Back to stitchin’ today! :~)

  33. sounds like you had the perfect weekend with Bernie 🙂 Love all of your finishes – especially BIRDSEYE – which I had printed out but will have to reprint with the updated photo! I am so going to search for some fall fabrics to use for setting and borders and get busy with my mini 9 patches making a quilt like yours next summer so it will be ready by fall! 😉
    and that last one is interesting too – love the secondary design that the blocks make – what’s their finished size? 8″ blocks?
    Love from Texas! ~bonnie

  34. sounds like you had the perfect weekend with Bernie 🙂 Love all of your finishes – especially BIRDSEYE – which I had printed out but will have to reprint with the updated photo! I am so going to search for some fall fabrics to use for setting and borders and get busy with my mini 9 patches making a quilt like yours next summer so it will be ready by fall! 😉
    and that last one is interesting too – love the secondary design that the blocks make – what’s their finished size? 8″ blocks?
    Love from Texas! ~bonnie

  35. Wow! What a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend you had…all those great finishes! Borders are my stumbling block as well! I’ve loved machine applique’ ever since taking a class from Terri Christopherson (Barbara Brandeburg’s sister)…I can’t believe I didn’t do machine applique for years!

  36. Wow! What a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend you had…all those great finishes! Borders are my stumbling block as well! I’ve loved machine applique’ ever since taking a class from Terri Christopherson (Barbara Brandeburg’s sister)…I can’t believe I didn’t do machine applique for years!

  37. Good going! I especially love the blue! It is looking good, that setting really works.
    They’re all wonderful! Congrats on getting Clara done, that one looked like it would take some effort. The applique is great, I’ve really gotten into it too.

  38. Good going! I especially love the blue! It is looking good, that setting really works.
    They’re all wonderful! Congrats on getting Clara done, that one looked like it would take some effort. The applique is great, I’ve really gotten into it too.

  39. Beeeutifullll borders – especially the applique! I LOVE doing borders – a good one will bring the quilt up another few notches!
    You have a BUNCH of beauties!

  40. Beeeutifullll borders – especially the applique! I LOVE doing borders – a good one will bring the quilt up another few notches!
    You have a BUNCH of beauties!

  43. I usually stall about 3/4’s of the way into a project and then when the top is done, stall again on the borders. It’s silly, really because once the borders are on I usually ask myself ‘why’? The borders are so simple to do and I don’t know why I stall, but I just do.
    Lovely finishes and pretty soon you will have them all quilted up to enjoy. I would put the extra applique on Flowers for Clara and since you are a pro now at doing the applique, the extra work will be so worth it.

  44. I usually stall about 3/4’s of the way into a project and then when the top is done, stall again on the borders. It’s silly, really because once the borders are on I usually ask myself ‘why’? The borders are so simple to do and I don’t know why I stall, but I just do.
    Lovely finishes and pretty soon you will have them all quilted up to enjoy. I would put the extra applique on Flowers for Clara and since you are a pro now at doing the applique, the extra work will be so worth it.

  45. Mine is borders, also. I have a number that just need them put on. Why do I put it off? I don’t know.
    Question: When you cut your borders did you cut them slightly larger to account for the applique process? Did you applique and then sew the borders on? Inquiring minds want to know!!!

  46. Mine is borders, also. I have a number that just need them put on. Why do I put it off? I don’t know.
    Question: When you cut your borders did you cut them slightly larger to account for the applique process? Did you applique and then sew the borders on? Inquiring minds want to know!!!

  49. Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow! Beautiful quilts! My stall is cutting, especially if the quilt has lots of little pieces. I usually cut out 2-3 quilts at time.

  50. Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow! Beautiful quilts! My stall is cutting, especially if the quilt has lots of little pieces. I usually cut out 2-3 quilts at time.

  51. Wow Nicole, you have been one busy bee! And you must feel like a million bucks to have FOUR tops knocked off your list. I can’t decide which one I like better. I think it might be the blue and white one. Or the Prairie Paisley. Or…oh nevermind, they’re ALL wonderful!

  52. Wow Nicole, you have been one busy bee! And you must feel like a million bucks to have FOUR tops knocked off your list. I can’t decide which one I like better. I think it might be the blue and white one. Or the Prairie Paisley. Or…oh nevermind, they’re ALL wonderful!

  53. Beautiful quilts Nicole, all of them. I’m so glad you had a productive holiday weekend. Boy, did you ever. I didn’t even sit at my sewing machine…just a bad weekend with my heath issues but doing better today and hope to sew later. I also had to tell you that as far as getting bogged down, I love every step of the process, each holds it’s own appeal for me, except bindings, but I do my by machine and have forced myself to get the strips ready while it is at the quilters and get the binding on it before I do any other projects once I get it back. It only takes a couple of hours once it is trimmed up and ready to bind so I just do it. I was amazed at how many people get stalled at the borders. THAT is one of my favorite parts because it is so fast and it means I am near the finish line. Also, I plan to try machine applique very soon and wanted to thank you for the link to the wonderful tutorial. I have to finish my current project, then I am going to try some small applique items. Congrats again on all your finishes!

  54. Beautiful quilts Nicole, all of them. I’m so glad you had a productive holiday weekend. Boy, did you ever. I didn’t even sit at my sewing machine…just a bad weekend with my heath issues but doing better today and hope to sew later. I also had to tell you that as far as getting bogged down, I love every step of the process, each holds it’s own appeal for me, except bindings, but I do my by machine and have forced myself to get the strips ready while it is at the quilters and get the binding on it before I do any other projects once I get it back. It only takes a couple of hours once it is trimmed up and ready to bind so I just do it. I was amazed at how many people get stalled at the borders. THAT is one of my favorite parts because it is so fast and it means I am near the finish line. Also, I plan to try machine applique very soon and wanted to thank you for the link to the wonderful tutorial. I have to finish my current project, then I am going to try some small applique items. Congrats again on all your finishes!

  57. ohhhhhhhhhhhh Nicole . . . I LOVE them all !! . . . but I am especially envious of the Birdseye because mine is still NOT done . . . and the blue & white . . . because I SO want to make that one . . .
    you must be so so happy . . .

  58. ohhhhhhhhhhhh Nicole . . . I LOVE them all !! . . . but I am especially envious of the Birdseye because mine is still NOT done . . . and the blue & white . . . because I SO want to make that one . . .
    you must be so so happy . . .

  63. You are one busy lady!! I had family in town all weekend so no sewing for me… you would have thought I was going through withdrawal. I LOVE your Birdseye… in fact, I loved it so much that when I saw your earlier post with picture of it, I bought the pattern. Now what fabric to use???? Hmmm…. Have a wonderful week!

  64. You are one busy lady!! I had family in town all weekend so no sewing for me… you would have thought I was going through withdrawal. I LOVE your Birdseye… in fact, I loved it so much that when I saw your earlier post with picture of it, I bought the pattern. Now what fabric to use???? Hmmm…. Have a wonderful week!

  67. OH my gosh girl! I wish this would happen to me! I hate borders too and lose interest in the quilt at that point. I would love to be inspired to finish this many projects!

  68. OH my gosh girl! I wish this would happen to me! I hate borders too and lose interest in the quilt at that point. I would love to be inspired to finish this many projects!

  73. Wow, what a wonderful productive weekend Nicole! Your quilt tops are just gorgeous. I love a touch of applique on a pieced quilt. Congrats on getting these finished.

  74. Wow, what a wonderful productive weekend Nicole! Your quilt tops are just gorgeous. I love a touch of applique on a pieced quilt. Congrats on getting these finished.

  75. All of them beautiful, Nicole. Good for you to just get in there and “get ‘er done.”

  76. All of them beautiful, Nicole. Good for you to just get in there and “get ‘er done.”

  79. Beautiful quilts!
    Congratulations on getting all those borders on.
    I love Flowers for Clara the best, and I agree that applique on all 4 corners will look great!
    I usually stall at the quilting point.

  80. Beautiful quilts!
    Congratulations on getting all those borders on.
    I love Flowers for Clara the best, and I agree that applique on all 4 corners will look great!
    I usually stall at the quilting point.

  85. Beautiful quilts …….. I love the flowers for Clara …… was that a specic fabric line, or just your wonderful eye of chosing fabrics.

  86. Beautiful quilts …….. I love the flowers for Clara …… was that a specic fabric line, or just your wonderful eye of chosing fabrics.

  87. Isn’t it a great feeling to finish all those quilt tops?!! I got the bug a couple of months ago and got several finished. Can’t wait to get them back from the quilter.
    I love all of them, don’t think I could choose a favorite! jana

  88. Isn’t it a great feeling to finish all those quilt tops?!! I got the bug a couple of months ago and got several finished. Can’t wait to get them back from the quilter.
    I love all of them, don’t think I could choose a favorite! jana