Rhapsody in Blue went into the hand quilting frame in August, I gave you a preview in the August 31 post. Normally, when I'm hand quilting, I give you a week by week progress report. I'm not doing that with this quilt, I'll give you a monthly progress report.
I had a quilting goal which was to have the first border quilted before I left for my vacation at the end of September, that goal was accomplished!
The background fabric is a light gray fabric but looks darker in the pictures. I use overhead led light while I quilt but they're not so good for taking pictures. These pictures were taken using regular lighting, the quilting shows but the background fabric looks darker than it is.
The pictures are from the left side to the right side. There is some overlap of the design but that's how it is. All of the applique has been stitched in the ditch.
I always cringe when I view a quilt that has a pretty quilting design but the background is left unquilted. To me (this is my opinion, you don't have to share it) the quilt looks unfinished, it's baggy and spoiled. That is why diagonal background lines are added to my quilts.
The next section to be quilted is the blue/gray patchwork. The plan is to diagonal stitch both directions in the light gray fabric, this will make the blue chain more predominate.
Rhapsody in Blue is a collaboration between my friend Elaine and I. Elaine stitched all of the applique.
I thought about making all the pictures extra large but that takes up so much space. You should be able to click on the individual pictures to enlarge them.
I don't quilt every evening, I aim for 5 nights a week and quilt approximately 2 hours. Sometimes it's less than that, sometimes longer, I don't keep track of the hours of quilting. In my location hand quilters charge by the yards of thread used in the quilting. I've started with a 500 yard spool of white YLI thread. I'll let you know when the spool is empty.
YLI hand quilting thread is available from Red Rock Threads.
Linking to Patchwork & Quilts, Kathys Slow Stitching Sunday, Stitching Stuff, Oh Scrap, Handmade Monday, Sew & Tell, Craftastic Monday, Design Wall Monday, Monday Musings, To Do Tuesday
21 comments:
Your quilting is just stunning. You and Elaine have made a masterpiece! I agree with you about blank backgrounds.
Rhapsody is a absolutely beautiful!
Filling in the background with quilting helps the appliqué to pop. Lovely collaborative project! Gail at the cozy quilter
It's a lot of work, but it's coming along beautifully!
Rhapsody in Blue is gorgeous, and your quilting takes it way over the top! I can't imaging giving away something I had quilted by hand.
It's beautiful! Thanks for sharing the tip on the background diagonals. I'm starting to really like to quilt strait lines. :). Hope you had a great vacation. I bet your prep work for your sew-to-go bag was stuffed to the brim.
Rhapsody in Blue is absolutely beautiful. This is a lot of work to quilt it densely, but very worth it. Your feathers are gorgeous! Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful work and linking up.
Wow! I always am amazed at your beautiful stitching. Such a lovely post with those feathers and the diagonal lines.
Diagonal quilting is always pleasant to see among the 'fancy' patterns. 'She' befits your amazing quilting beautifully.
Beautiful quilting!
Beautiful quilting and yes, I agree, baggy unquilted ares look awful. xx
Your hand quilting is impeccable. I can't believe this is an auction quilt. You are so right to quilt the open spaces, especially so that it helps enhance those stunning feathers. Kudos to your partner for the hand appliqué.
You do such beautiful work!! I agree with the open spaces thought;)
Your hand quilting is exquisite! Both the stitching and the design choices. I agree about big empty spaces making a project look unfinished. Beautiful job!
WOW!! Your stitches and progress is incredible! I agree with you about adding stitches to the background of quilted motifs.
The quilting is lovely. I love your feathers. Do you use a template to do them? Thanks for sharing the update in Sew & Tell.
I use a stencil for the design. It take some maneuvering to get the placement correct but so worth the effort.
I am so glad you are on the progress to hand quilt this beautiful quilt. Your designs are amazingly quilted. I love feathers and the circular movement is so pretty. What a wide border and so appropriate for your quilting. Will you put this in the fair before the auction?
I am always impressed by your quilting. Your stitches are so even, they put mine to shame. Your border quilting is beautiful. I like that you fill in with the diagonal quilting. It definitely finishes the design.
I haven't exhibited in our county fair for years. The quilts aren't protect from dust and dirt. If I finish it in time, I might exhibit it at the 2027 Sauder quilt show which is held in April. Thanks for commenting.
Your quilting is so lovely! I am glad this one is coming along. It's so pretty. I'm very captivated by blue and neutral quilts and this one is really one of my favorites!
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