Monday, February 13, 2012

I Tumble For You

I'm so happy to report that after about 12 years, I have finished my hand pieced tumbling block doll quilt.


I had a little photo shoot with my AG doll, Annie, by the fireplace.


I made this little pillowcase to go with the new quilt.


The back is just a fabric that I thought looked old and humble.   I hand quilted the horizontal lines.  I will put a label on it this week.


Here are the steps I use to make a single binding, which I think really looks good on these little quilts.  It helps keep the scale of them correct, I think.

I cut fabric strips 1 1/2" wide by the length needed.
I pin then sew the strips to each of sides of the quilt.


After sewing I trim away the top and the batting 1/4 from sewing line.  I then press it about half way (a little less) to the raw edges.


I fold it over the edge and give it a really good press.



I pin the side bindings down on back side, then line up the bottom and top binding strips.


I pin, then sew these strips on.  Trim and press as for sides.


For the corners, I fold in to line up with the edge and press.  


Then I turn down the top and press again and pin into place.


As you can see, this is for a 4-piece single binding, which is in keeping with the age period I was going for.  You can also do mitered corners with a single binding and I'll show that the next time I use it.

The Jubilee Quilt Project Blog is up and running and you can visit us here.  There are about 20 of us and we'll be adding to and refining the blog as we go along.  I'll be posting later this week, I've hit a speed bump on my project and I'm trying to find the right muslin.....again :(

34 comments:

Northern Deb said...

Your doll quilt turned out SO pretty! Did you use the english paper piecing method?

Donna~~ said...

A lovely quilt--you have a very lucky dolly! Handpieced and only 12 years=incredible to me! :)

Anonymous said...

What a lovely quilt and thank you barb for the offer on the fabric for Sophie's quilt...

Could I please join your Jubilee Quilt Project?

Frog Quilter said...

Very Cute.

Dawn said...

What a fabulous little quilt.
I love the staged setting with an AG, bed etc. - sweet!

Kim said...

Oh I do love that pattern.....it always looks terrific. What a great little quilt.

Happy Sewing

Chantal said...

Its a lovely quilt!!! There is something so appealing about doll quilts. You did a wonderful job as always.

Susie said...

Great visual!

Jeanne said...

Your persistence has paid off! The tumbler quilt is gorgeous! Dolly looks very pleased.

Nifty Quilts said...

Your quilt looks so great! You really got the contrast right. The "blocks" look crisp and dimensional. Thanks for the tutorial on the binding. Looks like something I may use someday.

Nancy said...

All those tiny pieces! I'ts so pretty. Good for you.

regan said...

What a beautiful little doll quilt, and Annie looks very pleased! :o)

Karen said...

Hurray for the Tumbling Block quilt finish. I made one of that style quilt early in my quilting endeavors. I have always liked it.

I wish I had kept the American Girl doll I used to have. I donated it to someone's little girl that was short on money. I cringe to think what happened to it as the little girl turned out to be quite a tomboy.

Pat said...

I love your your Tumbling blockquilt. The colors,are wonderful. What size diamond did you use.

Betsy said...

Great little quilt. I have always wanted to try that design. Do you still have the pattern source?

Dixie Howard said...

Very nice finish, and what a great way to remember and admire such great fabrics. Thanks so much for the great binding tutorial!

Vivian said...

Lovely finish, Barb, and you created a memorable scene. I never had one, but I'm making plans for an AG doll for my granddaughter--complete with a Grandma-sewn wardrobe and plenty of little quilts. Mine won't be as lovely as your tumbling blocks, just serviceable.
I wasn't aware of the historic correctness of 4 separate pieces of binding, but that's logical. Thanks for the binding tutorial.

Janet said...

Hurrah!! What a wonderful little quilt! Annie looks very happy with it :0) I think the binding looks perfect.

Béa said...

I love your Tumbling quilt. The colors are absolutely wonderful.

Rachaeldaisy said...

It's gorgeous!! It's nice to meet Annie, she did a wonderful job of showing off the features of the quilt. Thanks for the binding tutorial!!

Rachaeldaisy said...

Me again... My partner loves Tumbling Block quilts and would like me to make him one, I'm going to show him yours and tell him it took 12 years to make... hee hee :)

Sujata Shah said...

I find it hard to swallow that it took you 12 years! You make your quilts so quickly, rather you are always on top of your projects..Well, 12 years were worth waiting for this one to be finished. It looks spectacular!
Now I know to do a single binding on smaller quilts! Thanks for the tips.

Mayleen said...

Your Tumbling Block doll quilt is wonderful! Mine is pieced and there it sets. Your photo shoot was absolutely lovely with the bed and the doll.

Thimbleanna said...

What an adorable little quilt! Congratulations on a UFO finish -- don't you LOVE that feeling???

Maureen said...

So beautiful! Wonderful fabrics and I love your hand quilting! Thanks for the tutorial.

Kyle said...

Congratulations on finishing your wonderful doll quilt! Now you can truly enjoy it and cross it of your list.

YankeeQuilter said...

Great little quilt! Goes perfectly with your bed. (I love seeing fabric that I have in my stash in other quilters finished projects...inspiration...they look better in a quilt then hidden on the shelf)

Lori said...

It is the sweetest little quilt!! It looks perfect on the bed:)

libbyquilter said...

okay,so i somehow got my posts mixed up/combined . . . sheesh~!

the good news is that i have decided to join the jubilee celebration~!!~ you'll have to explain what i need to do.

:-)
libbyQ

Miriam said...

What a beautiful little quilt, Barb. Great photo with Annie by the fireplace. Thank you for showing how you made the binding.

Ann Champion said...

I LOVE your little quilt! So cute the way you staged the photos too. :)

Monica said...

Hi Barb -- I just came upon your blog this morning, and I must say that you are going to be such an inspiration to me. Just sitting here this morning with my cup of tea, and admiring your work, makes me want to go downstairs and start on a new quilt this very minute :) I look forward to seeing all of your projects.

Taryn said...

I love this quilt. You did a great job with the contrast. It looks so crisp. I am hand piecing one of my own and cannot wait to see it together to get the full effect.

PlainJane said...

Hi, Barb. I just met you today, and I think I would like to join the Jubilee Project! I am already 50, so my goal is to have my New York Beauty quilt pieced before I turn 51 in July!

Your new friend,
Jane