or WWAD:
What
Would
Alice
Do?........
This is a question I asked myself many times over the course of working on this quilt. Alice Payne made the original quilt in the late 1800s and I thought about her and her life in Pennsylvania.
Here is Alice Payne's Original Album Quilt:
And my top:
And now I'm ready to hand quilt it! Hooray!!! I literally took my first stitches yesterday,
New Year's Day 2016.
Here is how I marked the blocks like Alice, on the diagonal through the applique'. I framed each block with this scallop. I don't think I've ever seen this before on an album quilt. I borrowed it from Mary Schaffer who often framed her center portion.
I use the water soluble pen and the sew line white marker. I used a teachers bulletin board frame to mark the scallops. Here is how I lined things up.
Whoopsy Daisy - I marked the diagonals wrong :(
I use a Q-tip and water to dab away my mistake.....
Here are my tools for basting, long needles and crochet cotton thread.
I like to pre-load several needles so I can keep cruising along.
I worked on my dining room table with old cutting mats underneath.
Here is Alice's outside border design. Look how she started and stopped here at the seam. Oh, Alice, if only you had had my tutorial.
I'm paying homage to her choice by putting a fan in each corner. With the scallops the fans were just too much and worked against my cute scalloped frames.
The thrill of Victory! I had a brilliant idea to use this FABULOUS paint by number fabric for the backing. I posted a APB on Instagram and FB and thanks to Doreen I found 5 1/2 yards at
The Quilters Studio, in Virginia.
I LOVE IT!
The AGONY OF DEFEAT~
One problem, when there is any light source behind it the muslin in the applique blocks become mottled. waaaa waaaaaa boooo hoooo hooo hooo.
Light in front:
Light from behind: This is literally the same sandwich of backing, muslin and batting.
In the end, I decided to use muslin on the back :( This after buying the fabric, washing it, ironing it.... :(
Here is my start. I'm a little rusty, but I'm committed to not fuss about it!
Here are my tools:
So this was probably way and I mean WAY more than you wanted to know, huh?
Happy New Year to you all. Thank you for your comments and encouragements last year. I look forward to a new year of fun inspirations and postings.
xo
I don't think it was way to much. Interesting to see how you decided to quilt it. I come from 4 generations of hand quilters and it is always interesting to see how people come up with designs. Think it will be wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jackie - you must have a wonderful collection of quilts in your family
DeleteSorry the paint-by-number fabric did not work for the backing. It's such a fabulous fabric - I'm sure you'll find a great use for it! I enjoyed seeing your plans for quilting and marking process. I always get stumped over plans for hand quilting. I figure the more designs I see, the more ideas I'll have for future quilts.
ReplyDeleteIt looks awesome! Interesting how much that great backing showed through. What kind of batting are you using?
ReplyDeleteI am also suspicious that it was your batting....
ReplyDeleteHi Linda - you are a non-reply - but wanted to say that I tried a wool batting and a cotton batting. I was the same result. Muslin is just see through if the print has a lot of contrast, which this one did.
DeleteA GORGEOUS QUILT! Is that bird a needlebook? LOVE.
ReplyDeleteYour quilt is fabulous. Thank you so much for sharing. Never thought a fabric could show through so much. I am sure you will find the perfect place for the paint by number fabric. Happy New Year and as always I look forward to your next post.
ReplyDeleteA little rusty? ....your stitches look great!!!! Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Debra, your stitches do look great. I love your quilting pattern. Great idea.
ReplyDeleteNever too much information - am lapping it all up! The frames are a great idea - will look wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI'd never have thought to hold the quilt up to the light...
Loved hearing your decision making process. Using the paper borders for bulletin boards is a wonderful idea for even scallops. Sorry about the wonderful paint by number fabric, but I'm sue you're thinking of s new quilt with that fabric in mind. I'd also say, your handquilting doesn't appear too rusty. You're off to a lovely start for the new year.
ReplyDeleteThere's no such thing as too much information! Seriously, several items you mentioned were good things to consider while making decisions in the course of layering and marking a quilt.
ReplyDeleteYour quilt is going to be a great tribute to Alice!
ReplyDeleteThe quilt looks great and I think your hand quilting is beautiful. No rusty about it.
Happiness and health to you in 2016.
Charlotte
Fabulous post! I loved seeing your process! Terrific quilting design - can't wait to see your progress.
ReplyDeleteI struggle with how to choose the quilting design and then the markings, so your post was very beneficial to me especially since I need to mark a border very soon. And I live 6 miles from Quilters Studio. It's my favorite area quilt shop. Come on down and I'll take you there. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI am impressed by the amount of quilting you are going to do on this quilt! It will be a treasure and an heirloom when you are finished! How disappointing that you couldn't use the Paint by Numbers fabric... It is such a great design! Good luck and happy stitching!
ReplyDeleteLove seeing your process! I always learn so much, and of course get so much inspiration from your quilts!
ReplyDeleteI'm so excited you've started with handquilting! I love the scallops - they frame the blocks beautifully! Your stitches look wonderful to me :0) You will be able to use that fantastic fabric in another project.
ReplyDeleteOMG your stitches are so close together!!! Awesome post; all of the info is useful. Thank you for sharing. Happy "Alice" New Year!
ReplyDeleteI am in awe...beautiful work. Happy New Year to you and your family. I'm looking forward to more fun!!
ReplyDeleteI know you have your paint by number fabric already but thought I would let you know there is some listed on Etsy. I am excited to see you got to the quilting stage on your quilt.
ReplyDeleteYour quilt is gorgeous and your hand quilting is amazing! I'm impressed that you stitched over the applique so beautifully.
ReplyDeleteIs there a way you could have avoided the back showing through to the front? (I don't have much experience with this problem since I haven't yet made a quilt with muslin on the front.) Would another batting have made a difference, or thicker muslin on the front, or is it just inevitable that some fabrics will show through to the front when using muslin? If that's so, I will be attentive to the backing I choose if I use muslin on the front of a quilt.
Thanks for sharing the detail.
Happy New Year to you and yours.
Nancy (ndmessier@aol.com, joyforgrace.blogspot.com)
As always, I love your detailed post with so much information on the subject. Too bad you could not use that paint by number fabric but I am sure another gorgeous top could use that as a back or borders or both!
ReplyDeleteI noticed variety of prints in original AP quilt. From far it is easy to assume that it is strictly red and green. Thanks for posting the close up frame. Your quilt looks beautiful!
Happy stitching!
I can never hear or see too much about your adventures! I am so happy to follow along with this quilt and I think Alice would totally approve!!
ReplyDeleteNot too much for me. I love to see your process and can't wait to see your progress.
ReplyDeleteFabulous quilt. Happy New Year Barb XXX
ReplyDeleteLoved this blog post! I learned a lot- from how you mark your quilt, to how you auditioned the backing. I never would have thought to check to see if it showed through the front of the quilt. I do have one question- I noticed that you use the blue marking pen. Have you ever had trouble with it not washing out if the quilt sits too long? Didn't know if the ink would set. I have used that pen, but not on a big project that would take me like forever to finish! Looks like you are off to a great new year.
ReplyDeleteHappy Stitching,
Lona
Beautiful quilt and never too much information!
ReplyDeleteI learned a lot again!
I never would have thought of crochet cotton for basting!
Have so much that I surely won't use for crochet... :) thank you!
Best wishes!
No, not too much at all, Barb! It is all interesting. Your top is beautiful, and I love your quilting plans! It's going to be a really lovely one to sit and enjoy the stitching. Perfect for gloomy winter days!
ReplyDeleteLove the scallops and the diagonal lines. I have never quilted over/through appliqués, but I have a top ready to go...maybe on this one!! Thanks for the inspiration and paying homage to the original quilt. It will be wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI admire your work..Gorgeous work ! I learn a lot !
ReplyDeleteVéronique
Thank you Veronique!
DeleteJaw dropping! The more info given, the better the tutorial,IMHO. I appreciated seeing how you handled an oops, and the adjustments you made to the original design to make it YOUR interpretation while staying true to Alice (I'm sure she would be flattered!). I'm usually a lurker, but have followed your blog I think since it began, and I just had to comment on this post. Thank you for your blog -- it's fun and informative AND inspiring. I have a much less ambitious quilt that has been waiting to be hand quilted since 2006, and thanks to you, I'm going to make that one of my projects for 2016. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
ReplyDeleteHi Barb: It's only Jan. 3 and you're off and running! Too bad about your original backing but thank goodness you checked on the possible color bleed before you did your quilting. A possible solution for the next time is to use Pellon fusible non woven interfacing No. 950F. It works wonderfully with redwork and other embroidery projects so I think it might work here as well. I was going to relax today but after readying your blog, I'm committed to get sewing!! Thanks for your inspiration, as always. Norma
ReplyDeleteBarb I love this post. Lots of great information. Lots of inspiration. I love the way you are going to quilt it. I finished the applique blocks for a quilt I've been working on for the last 5 months and needed some hand work for the evenings...I picked up a quilt I've been hand quilting and started on it again. Hugs, Cathy
ReplyDeleteGreat seeing how you tackle the marking and basting etc. Not too much info at all. It is really going to be stunning. I wish my hand quilting looked like your "rusty" quilting!!!! Happy New Year to you and your family. I am excited to see the lovely things you will create this year. Love, Chantal
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing your process. I am planning on hand quilting some projects this year and your post was helpful. I think your stitching looks great. Nice and uniform. Keep us posted on your progress.
ReplyDeleteGayle
Such a beautiful quilt top and I love your quilting design for it.
ReplyDeleteI think it's wonderful that you shared with us the entire process of preparing your quilt for quilting.
No matter the experience level - with quilting there is always something new to learn from each other.
Thanks for sharing!
Sorry the Paint by Numbers fabric did not work out. Such a pretty fabric.
Perhaps you can quilt it up as a wholecloth throw quilt just for fun.
A simple crosshatch design with a scallop border would look lovely.
Happy New Year!
It is never too much information. I think it is great to see how others go about the quilting process. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteMary Schaffer was amazing!
This is going to look awesome when it is done. Such a great quilt! A terrific tribute to both Alice and Mary. Happy New Year! Tammy
ReplyDeleteThanks Tammy for the visit and nice comment
DeleteYou began the year with this awesome quilt and Alice would be proud of you ! The quilting is sooooo beautiful and perfect for each block ! Woohoo !!!!
ReplyDeleteFor the fabric I'm so sorry but no doubt you will use for another quilt !
Happy new year dear Barb for you and yours with lot of love...and lots of quilts ! ;)
Xoxo
Great quilt and it is fun to see your process as you start the quilting stage. It is almost enough to make me start a hand quilting project. However, one of my NY goals is to improve my Machine quilting. My NY Day sewing was to assemble my bow ties from the swap. I will post a picture soon as I ponder the MQ design.
ReplyDeleteWonderful post, Barb! Alice would be proud of you! Great idea for marking scallops around the blocks. I know you'll find an amazing way to use that paint-by-number fabric. Your stitches look perfect to me :) Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteBarb, what a great post for you to start off 2016. The information that you included in it about your thought process in creating your quilts is an inspiration to "seasoned" quilters and important facts for those who are new to our passion. You are not only sharing, but teaching many quilters whom you will never meet in person. I can't wait to see your finished Alice!
ReplyDeleteLove the details. Going to be another gorgeous quilt!
ReplyDeleteI think this is my most favourite quilt of all time ever!! I absolutely love what you are doing with the quilting!! Thank you for each and every photo and detail, I enjoyed every snippet!
ReplyDeleteNo! Loved reading through this! I am such a fan of hand quilting--it's all fascinating. Your scallops to frame the blocks is brilliant! And this is such a great quilt, I have pondered making one of my own.
ReplyDeleteI love this quilt and your stitches are amazing! Thanks for showing us your process, I always want to know how you came up with things!
ReplyDeleteDitto! Ditto! Amazing, that is! Regarding the backing fabric. I'm sure you will find another use for the fabric you found - Hee Hee!
ReplyDeleteLove your Alice quilt, and especially the name you came up for it as I always chuckle when I hear that song. All my favorite color combinations, and your stitches look great! Will be fun to follow your progress, and always learn so much from your tutorials!
ReplyDeleteAgain I look to my mentor for guidance! The quilt is fabulous. And I never would have auditioned the back through the top. Thank you for sharing your marking process too. I am a 'quilter chicken' when it comes to marking my tops. But showing your Ooops and what you did to correct it was the best. Can't wait to get my appliqué panel finished so I can get to the MARKING and QUILTING. Happy New Year 2016.
ReplyDeleteWow -- what a great start to the new year! Alice looks wonderful and your quilting is beautiful. I love the way you've decided to quilt it too. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful quilt and I love the way you are quilting it. Your perfect stitches don't look like you're rusty at all!
ReplyDeleteOh what a wonderful start to the new year! I love your scallop around each block. How clever, and it really frames each block. I do love the paint by number fabric, but if it is going to hang on a wall anyway, I suppose it would be wasted. And, your beautiful stitches will show better on muslin. Maybe you could use it in a newly inspired "paint by number" quilt. BTW, I think Alice would say, "Spot on Barb"!
ReplyDeleteAlice would be very proud to know you. Gorgeous quilt!
ReplyDeleteLove. Love. Love. It has been so inspiring to watch this quilt come into being. Thanks for sharing your thought process and your techniques. Your posts are NEVER too long!
ReplyDelete…….sigh…..oh Barb……what can I say? I love your AP and your sooo creative quilting design for it. I enjoyed seeing your process and I see you are quilting across the appliqué. I have seen some older quilts done that way and some that
ReplyDeletewere not. It would be interesting to know your decision on this. Was the original quilt done this way?
Anyway, your post was most interesting to me!
I am in love with this quilt...totally awesome!
ReplyDeleteHI Barb, your Alice quilt is fabulous ! Lovely colors,and your workmanship is really outstanding ! What a spectacular way to start out 2016. We enjoyed reading about the details, and it's never too much information. Thank you for your entertaining and interesting blog ! Warm wishes, from Marina and Daryl
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful quilt! I love your quilting choices for this one. Happy New Year!
ReplyDelete