Backing Choice

The Aztec Diamond Runner top is complete and I think I want to do something quite different for the backing.

The picture does not do the batik justice, but the colors in it are a pretty good match to the solids of the runner. I'll leave this up for a day or so and then make my decision.

I kind of like the complete difference between the two fabrics. Plus, since I'm going to try some fun quilting, the backing fabric design and colors will hide quilting "mishaps" better than a solid. That's a really important thing for me. 

I'm thinking about binding this in the darkest purple solid. It looks great with both fabrics and I have plenty of it. Then again, my binding choices tend to change after the quilting is done so I don't really know why I'm thinking about it now. 😑

The Hexie Placemats tops are done and the binding is made, but I don't have a good picture to post. I'm going to get those ready for quilting tonight and since I'm not doing anything fancy, it shouldn't take long. I'll post pictures when they are done.

Design Wall Monday

It's been a couple of weeks since I've posted, but I've been busy.  :-)

The secret sewing pictures I showed in the last post is now a quilt top. I can't show it yet; but I will soon. I promise!  I'm very happy with my top and am even planning a second version of the same quilt. Time permitting, of course.

I had a number of comments and questions about the picture below.

I am working with some half circle applique for the secret sewing project and this technique makes it easy to end up with beautifully round and smooth edges. In a nutshell, you sew some interfacing right sides together with the fabric pieces, sew around them, and then turn them right sides out, press and they are ready for sewing. I've used this technique in the past, but since I don't do a lot of applique I haven't done it in a long time. I'll add more detailed pictures and process when I can post more info about the quilt.

Here's what's on the wall today.

This is the Aztec Diamond Table Runner - pattern by Krista Moser. It uses the 60 degree angle ruler and is easy to make. I'm happy with the fabric choices and just have to sew the two rows together.

Of course I can't just be working on one thing at a time, so I also have this set of fabrics out and ready to use for some Hexie Placemats.

I've got a busy next few days (weeks, actually), but I hope to be able to sneak in some sewing.

What are you working on today?

Check out the quilting eye candy at

Judy's Small Quilts and Doll Quilts

and

Beth's Monday Making 

Secret Sewing

I've pulled fabric and started a secret sewing project.

That yellow is really not that bright. It's actually a little more green, similar to the green in the fabric at the top left, and in the picture below.

I've got all my fabric cut (except borders) and I've started to do some of the sewing, including these half circles. 

I need to trim the circles so I can turn them right side out. I could have used pinking shears, but I loaned them out and don't have them here so I was cutting little notches around the curved edge. After cutting and clipping four or five of these, I remembered that I own a pinking rotary cutter. Oh my! That made this task go so much faster!

I'll post a few more pictures soon; but I won't be revealing the quilt for quilt a while yet.