Blue Plumes

This applique was intended to be used alongside some wide coin sashing. That didn't work out and so I went in a totally different direction. Basically split that project into two and brought the blue applique into a lighter, more serene looking setting.

Blue Plumes getting sewn together into a quilt top

Some would say it's boring, but there's just something about the cream and blue, plus that blue/white ticking fabric that seems peaceful to me. After getting the initial foundation piece of the applique stitched onto each individual block, then I sewed sets of two rows together. This helped me to easier manipulate the long pieces of quilt as I hand stitched the 'plumes' onto the overlap areas. Saved me a lot of hand cramping if you want to know the truth of it! Once they were all stitched down, except for the top applique units, then I sewed all the rows together into one large quilt top.

At this point, it was time to determine the fabric for borders. Yes I know some of you most often vote for no borders, but this is my quilt. Most quilts around here end up with something extra on the outside edges. Once again I was drawn to that blue/white ticking fabric. Is it that old fashioned, vintage-like vibe? It makes me want to curl up with the quilt already and it's not even done!

Auditioning border fabrics

But it needed something more. I played around with options and finally determined that it needed a thin blue sashing. This peppered cotton isn't the exact perfect color, but I kinda like it anyway. It clashes just enough to give some much needed energy to the quilt. I do hate to be predictable, plus there was enough left without having to make a run to the quilt store. That decision always implies that there is something out there more perfect and 'making do' isn't good enough anymore. I hate that feeling. That making do has somehow become second class.

I had already took a dive into that shallow pool early on, broken one of my most steadfast rules. This is, quite seriously, the first quilt in a very long time where I had impulsively quite deliberately went and bought fabric specifically for a particular project. I mean a lot of it, like all the ticking and small floral fabric. Not that I'm judging what you do! And yeah, I do buy binding and border fabrics all the time, when absolutely needed, but rarely ever go buy a large chunk that helps make up the look of the entire quilt. It just makes me feel queasy. I much prefer piecing a bunch of smaller stuff together to try and make that scrappier look.

Normally, I buy {or have odd bits of fabric given to me} for the stash and then make directly from there, challenging myself to blend and use what is already loved. Around here, the stash is KING. The theory being this: I'm convinced that it helps me make more unique quilts. Also, I love the occasional odd result, which is what 'making do' often leads to! Making from what I have already acquired as 'fabulousness' or at the very least, 'interesting', will ensure that whatever is made will be appreciated down to each and every fabric included. That is the necessary connection to me--loving all the little bits and pieces, bringing them together into a brand new, hopefully more charming unit! Somehow though, this project seemed to demand a little more continuity than making from those random pieces of stash fabrics and honestly, I couldn't let the project go. No matter what. It was just too intriguing and different.

Considering sashing fabrics

Okay, sorry about the sidetrack. So then I was back at the question I've been mulling over and over in my mind. Do the top applique pieces need to be continued even if they extend over into the top border? For the entire time the stitching has been happening on this quilt, I've been convinced they would need to just like the other blue plume units.

Auditioning having the applique extend into the border...

Now I'm not so sure. It feels forced to me and makes the quilt look a little awkward. Maybe if I leave off the plumes on those top blocks and add a few plumes in the corners of the quilt? It's definitely something to think about while I fuss about with adding on the sashing and outside borders.

Or maybe doing something altogether different!

There is just enough of the blue/white ticking fabric for outside borders if I make them narrow, which is really all it needs. Just enough to tie back into the center of the quilt and make for a more cohesive looking quilt. This has turned out to be such a surprising departure from my usual quilting, such a quiet looking quilt. And it all started from a motif I saw on a piece of fabric. So interesting where we get the seeds of our inspiration!

Linking up with Linda and Julie at Sew, Stitch, Snap, Share #7! They asked an interesting question this week 'What's in a Name?'  We often wonder don't we? I first started blogging with my family back in 2006 and of course had to come up with a name for my blog. Everyone had these cute names that tied back in with their individual interests and personalities. They all knew I was the obsessed quilter lady in the family and so 'The Quilty Folk' was an obvious choice. Later on when I wanted to start a blog strictly for my quilting, it simply became 'Quilty Folk'. You can read my first Quilty blog post here. I obviously STILL like to talk and talk and talk about quilting. It seems pretty funny now, but I didn't start getting regular comments until two years in. Who says blogging is easy?