Reflecting on 2011

Climbing Roses combines several techniques including string piecing, serged three dimensional flowers, and a flounced edge. 

I was thinking back on 2011 and the quilts I have worked on this past year. While I can think of several of them, others slip from my memory. Do you keep a listing of all of your projects? Or, perhaps you have been working on one that consumed all of your quilting time for the entire year.

Lizard Tails drew the most attention.

A few years ago, I decided to keep a notebook of my projects. The purpose was to document when I started, what fabrics, techniques, etc. that I used. This was a trial for me because I am much more of a doer than a documenter. With some projects, I made excellent notes and others just happened and were out the door before I even thought about noting them. This year, I will again resolve to do a better job of keeping notes.

My serged pillows put a smile on my face every time I look at them.  I love the bright colors and combination of fabrics.

What were the quilts that I most enjoyed making this past year? Which one did I learn the most from? Was it a technique that I learned or perfected (well, hardly perfected, maybe got a little better at)? Was it the creativity that hooked me in? Which project was the most fun making? Was there one that I enjoy using daily? Were there quilts that gave me great joy in giving away?

I'm happiest about all of the quilts our Undercover Quilters group made and donated this year.

Where did your quilting life take you this past year? What joy did it bring into your life?

Teaching at WI Quilt Expo 2011

I had a wonderful time at WI Quilt Expo meeting so many enthusiastic quilters. We had a fun time in class learning dimensional techniques to add to our quilts. We "yo-yo"ed and "puffed" and "ruched" and "flounced". 

Serging and Flouncing About a Bit More

Climbing Roses
23" x 10"
Sharon V. Rotz








As you can see, for this project I decided to use my serged flounce on the binding edge of the wallhanging. It would make a wonderful pillow edge as well. (We could consider this a flat pillow.)

This wallhanging combines units of string piecing, a fun and creative use for small scraps of fabric, with three dimensional applique. The leaves were folded wrong sides together and overlock-serged on the curved open edge. The top edge of a red batik fabric strip was serged with a rolled edge. The strip of fabric was then formed into the roses and hand stitched onto the background.

This project gave me a chance to explore more options for using my serger as a quilting tool. Now, new images of serged flounces are creeping into my brain. How could I incorporate a flounce into the center of a project? maybe between rows of blocks, hmmm.

For more quilting ideas using your serger, please refer to my latest book, Serge and Merge Quilts.

Flouncing About or About Flouncing

Do you know what a flounce is?

It may look like a gathered strip, but it not gathered but a waving free edge formed by the clever cutting of the fabric. We, in the quilting world, are not familiar with flounces as they are normally from the world of dressmaking. Well, I should qualify that. I have had a few stretched bias edges which could be easily be described as waving freely. (not a good thing)

In a creative moment, I thought it would be fun to see if I could use a true flounce (not that wrongly stretched fabric one) in my quiltmaking.

To make a serged spiral flounce: Cut two layers of fabric. Place wrong sides together.  Serge the outer edge starting on the outside of the spiral and working to the center.

When you straighten out the edge of the serged strip, the outer edge of the strip will wave.

The end of the spiral that was closest to the center will have more wave. As you get to the outside of the spiral, there will be less wave and the fabric will tend to lay flatter.

How can a flounce be used?  What's your idea?

Check out how I used my flounce in my next posting.