Dandelion--Finished

A few weeks ago our local community theater group contacted our quilt guild hoping that we would have volunteers to help create the blocks needed for their up coming production of Quilters.  A musical about quilters?  Yes please!  With out any hesitation I signed up to help with the project.  I was given the task to making the Dandelion block for the play.  I wrote about constructing this block earlier in a post called Keeping It Simple--Dandelion Block.

Now I would like to say a few words about the quilting.  I started off by "stitching in the ditch--every stinking seam."  This quote actually comes from Cindy Needam.  I have never had the pleasure of actually physically setting in on one of her classes, but through the power of the internet have taken both of her Craftsy classes.  If I ever have the opportunity to physically take one of her classes you better bet your life I will.  Her work is AMAZING and she is such an entertaining instructor.

Back to stitching in the ditch--every sticking seam.  This is a method she swears by.  You cannot debate her out of it, it is what it is, and you should do it.  She gives examples in her class of blocks that have had the seams "ditched" and then was quilted and blocks that were not "ditched" just quilted.  The difference is unbelievable.  The "ditched" blocks lay flatter which makes the quilting look better.

Do I do this with every I quilt...no.  Should I...probably.  The great thing is there are no rules.  For this particular project, I chose to stitch in the ditch ESS.  Since it will be viewed from on stage, I hoped that it would help with shadows or possible wrinkles.  So that is where the process started.  I used Aurifil #2692 in my bobbin and Sulky invisible thread on the top.

The next step was to figure out exactly how to bring the flower to life.  My usual quilting style is lots of dense quilting, but I felt this project needed to be more toned down.  Continuous curves in the flower and leaves, pebbling in the ground area and possibly straight lines in the background.

When I work with continuous curves, I try to draw them out on the project. I like to have a mental map of how to travel around the quilt with out doubling back on my lines.  This always pays off.

The next step was to add my background lines.  As a last minute change, I decided to do diagonal lines instead of straight lines.  I posted my picture to Pat Sloan's quilting group on Facebook and on Instagram asking for help.  At first I wanted to do cross hatching, but I wanted to get opinions on leaving the lines the way they were.  Would cross hatching be too much or where my diagonal lines not enough?  I just didn't know.  Overwhelmingly, everyone liked the diagonal lines.  A few people even suggested it reminded them of rain in the background.  So if it's not broke don't fix it.  I left it alone.

 I finished it off with the pebbling and piano keys in the boarder.  After attaching a hanging sleeve and binding I could officially call this one complete.

The only thing left to do, is turn my block in and wait for August 6th to arrive so that I can watch the production of Quilters.  I have to say I'm super excited about it.  If you find yourself in the north central area of West Virginia August 6th-8th and would like more information about the show and tickets please feel free to email me using the email button on the top right of this page.

Now I must get back to quilting.  I have the July Aurifil Mystery BOM mini quilt to quilt and a whole cloth quilt along to catch up on.  Sleep might be nice too.

Today I will be linking up with

Too Cute Tuesday @ Funky Polkadot Giraffe

Linky Tuesday @ Freemotion by the River

Sew Cute Tuesdays @ Blossom Heart Quilts

The Pet Project Show @ Pink Doxies

Can I Get a Whoop Whoop @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict

 Creative Goodness @ Quilt Shop Gal

 Link-A-Finish Friday @ Richard and Tanya Quilts