Monday, April 10, 2017

Tiki Beads Finish



Tiki Beads

This wall hanging laid in a pile with several others for many months. This is typical for me. The main design takes a lot of energy, and then I'm reluctant to put on the last touches. In my opinion, the binding can make or break the whole project. Sure, we can pick something that's just okay--middle-of-the-road choices happen to a lot of quilts, but a good one is harder to pick. Sometimes it is worth the wait. What do you think?




I used at least 4 colors of No. 8 Perle cotton for hand quilting, and echoed the piecing. The batting is a heavier weight poly I found at a warehouse locally, and was ideal for wall hangings. It's no longer available, sadly, but I like the weight it gives the piece.

One reason I hesitated at adding the binding was the way this piece had so much vertical movement. Squint, and you see tall, black columns stand out. The colors are purely background. When I laid a dark binding at the top and bottom, it stopped the movement. The problem for me was how to maintain this vertical presence, but still add a binding.


I opted to add the black batik to the sides. I chose a different print for right and left. But the top and bottom were a little different. I added a blind binding by trimming the seam allowance very close, and turning it all the way to the back of the piece. This was a new technique for me, and I was pleased it turned without a thick edge.




Slowly, but surely my WIP/UFO pile is disappearing.
What a fabulous feeling!

Come on, Doxie girls.
Let's go sew.


11 comments:

Unknown said...

I like your treatment of the binding. You gave much thought to it. I got a library copy of "Charmed I'm Sure" - with the block pattern in it. Not sure how my color pattern will emerge.

Stitchin At Home said...

Good idea for the top and bottom binding and with the black and white sides keep the flow of the piece.

Kathy said...

Great binding treatment and one I have never seen before. Thanks for sharing!

Barb Neiwert said...

Perfect binding choice! And I love your hand quilting. You'll enjoy this for a long time to come :)

Susan said...

Like my Santorini project, this one just had to wait for the right time! It's lovely, and you made a good binding choice. Congrats on a finish!

Shelina (formerly known as Shasta) said...

I have to admit I don't pay enough attention to the binding. By that time, I am ready to get it done. Your quilt is so lovely, I am going to be spending more time with my binding choices for sure!

Angie in SoCal said...

Great quilt. I like your faced edges instead of what we normally see.

Janice Holton said...

This has a very African looking flair to it. I like it! Kudos for those disappearing UFO's! OK, that's inspiring me to get downstairs and work on something.

France Nadeau ❅ inspiration imagination creation said...

Clever! You've maintained the vertical flow. It looks perfect.

Kate @ Smiles From Kate said...

Lovely even hand stitching, and what you did with the binding was very clever, the perfect finishing touch for the wall hanging. Great Job.

Kate said...

You found the perfect solution to the binding problem. A very dramatic wall hanging. Congrats on getting another UFO off the pile.