The right side border is made exactly as we made the left side last month, 43 geese in all.
The top and bottom borders are made the same but have 47 geese each. WATCH OUT when adding the the first two geese to the top and bottom borders--they go on in a different direction so they turn the corner nicely. PLEASE NOTE: MY TOP BORDER IS WRONG! (The two geese on the far left should face down--OOPS!) I discovered this after the entire top was completed so it is staying this way. So, do as the pattern says, not as I did, if you want your top border to look like the pattern.
After you have all four borders made, use the chart on page 3 to calculate the size "floater" you need to join the flying geese borders to your quilt center. I needed a .5" finished floater so mine were cut 1" wide by the required length.
It's no more difficult to add a tiny border than a wide one. Here are my steps whenever I add a border to a quilt, no matter how wide or narrow:
1. Carefully cut the borders exactly the required size based on your calculations--don't fudge
2. Mark the center of the border and the center of the quilt--I fold and press both, the border right sides out, the quilt rights sides in, use a mechanical pencil to make a mark on those folds
3. Pin the two outside edges and the center of quilt and borders. I sew with the pieced border on top
4. Carefully pin one side from the outer edge to the center. Use as many pins as you need--I place pins about 3" apart. Repeat pinning from the other side to the center. The more pins I use, the easier it is to sew straight and it slows me down, which also helps me sew straight
5. Sew as straight as you can, slow down. With the pieced border on top, you can see the seam allowances and won't get them flipped in the wrong direction
6. After sewing on the floater, carefully press it, seam allowance pressed in to the floater. Try not to distort that tiny floater--steam is not your friend during this step--a hot, dry iron is best
Once the four floaters were in place, I added the four flying geese borders. These I also pressed in toward the tiny floater--my floater is 1/2" finished--that is just enough space to hold the two seam allowances and it helps give just a bit of definition to that floater, almost like trapunto.
That's it for now. Next month it's on to Delectable Mountains--unless you do a completely different border like I did. Stay tuned...
Let's Quilt!
Barbara
Your instructions are so spot on! Anyone following along with you is getting well taught!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Janet! Sometimes it feels like I'm speaking to the great unknown, no idea how many folks are actually using this info. My Halo Sunday Sew and Sews enjoy them, I know.
DeleteI am an avid reader of your blog too. A far distant Halo Sew and Sews wannabe, only still on flying geese rings :( ...but keep plugging along.
ReplyDeleteI'll be eager to see what you did instead of Delectable Mountains...that is a teaser.
This quilt is absolutely BEAUTIFUL. Where can I find the instructions for the first 8 blocks so I can catch up?
ReplyDeleteJoan, if you are asking for the patterns, this is the Block of the Month for The Quilt Show and is free for members. www.thequiltshow.com
DeleteIf you are asking for my monthly blog tips, just look on the Blog Archive over there on the right sidebar--each month I post a new one, usually on the 1st of the month, a couple were released on the last day of the previous month.
Being a member of The Quilt show is well worth the $49 annual dues--this pattern will be released by the designer in 2018 at a cost of at least $80. If you are not a member, you can sign up as a Basic member, at no cost, to see what wonderful things are available to members. I've been a member for the 10 years it's existed, wouldn't miss it.
Can you tell me where I sign up for block of the month?
ReplyDeleteLog in to The Quilt Show, then go to Learn, then Block of the Month, then BOM 2017. All the monthly patterns are there. Here is the link:
Deletehttps://thequiltshow.com/learn/bom/bom-2017
And you don't "sign up", it's just there for Members. Each month on the first day of the month the next set of patterns is released. These will be available only until December 31, 2017 so be sure to print and/or save the files to your computer.
DeleteThanks for your help. Can't wait to see them.
DeleteHi Barbara,
ReplyDeleteI am part of "the great unknown!" I read your advice faithfully. That is all I can do right now. I have been unable to start this quilt because I am taking care of a family member with cancer. Nevertheless, I enjoy reading your words of wisdom and have learned a lot from you. We appreciate you and all the work you are doing to share your knowledge with us.
Thanks! This will be a great project for you when you have time to get to it. I try to provide info that will help with lots of quiltmaking steps, not just this specific quilt. So glad you find it helpful.
Delete