I love finishing the binding of my quilts by hand. That doesn’t mean I hand bind all of my projects; I’m not totally crazy! Sometimes it’s more practical to finish binding by machine, but I definitely enjoyed the process of getting to spend a bit more time with Garden Peony as I stitched the binding to the back by hand.
Garden Peony – Quilting Detail
The free motion quilted back and forth lines are really important for the quilting design to have an impact. I really enjoy the contrast between the 1″ spaced walking foot quilted lines and paths around the quilt and the more densely quilted back and forth lines.
Garden Peony – Quilting Detail
I started quilting at the center of the quilt (all quilting was done with 50wt thread). I used matching Aurifil 2210 (Caramel) to the Kona Gold center circle. I continued using Aurifil 2210 (Caramel) to quilt the big meandering path around the middle of the quilt. Then I switched thread and used Aurifil 2000 (Light Sand) to match the four Kona Oyster quarter circles in the center. I switched thread again and used Aurifil 2130 (Medium Butter) that matches Kona Mustard to quilt the eight partial circles around the borders. I then used Aurifil 2350 (Copper) to match the background Kona Spice to quilt the four corners. And the final thread change was to Aurifil 2360 (Chocolate) which matches the Kona Brown quarter circles, but I used that to do all the free motion quilted back and forth lines.
Garden Peony – Quilt Back
I hope I’m not the only one who sees a happy retro design in the quilting on the back of the quilt! The backing and binding are also Kona Spice. Between Meringue and Garden Peony, I have now used up the yardage of Kona Spice I purchased a little over 2 years ago. I am a bit sad knowing that it’s all used up. Bringing it into my stash really forced me to explore new to me color palettes that were fun and exciting.
Garden Peony – Quilting Detail on Back of Quilt
The Garden Peony quilt finished at 39″ square after quilting, trimming, and binding. It laid so flat that I haven’t even given the quilt a good press yet, as evidenced by the fact that you can still see some of the fold lines I used to piece the curves on the fabrics on the quilt top.
Garden Peony
With this finish, I am putting the final details in place so that the Meringue pattern (which includes bonus instructions for making Garden Peony from the large scraps left over from piecing the Meringue quilt top) can be available on Wednesday, June 15th. The pattern will have an introductory sale, but the best sale will be offered to my newsletter subscribers. Be sure to sign up for my newsletter before Wednesday morning if you want the best deal!
Linking up with Needle and Thread Thursday, Finished or Not Friday, Beauties Pageant 177, and TGIFF.
You have done such a great job with Garden Peony. Thank you for sharing. I continue to be so proud of you. 🙂
Another beautiful finish, Yvonne. The quilting is so fun to see on the front and the back. Your precision with the quilting is just amazing. Will you pick up more Kona Spice?
Really lovely! I’m continually inspired how you color-match your threads, which often involves several thread changes throughout your quilting process. AND I was going to ask how close you were to using up that Kona Spice. I’d say that was a serendipitous addition to your stash.
There’s definitely an Art Deco vibe in the finished product, but I see it on the front more than the back. The colors give it definition, and the shapes remind me of the big Art Deco wall sconces in a very old theater in the town where I grew up. It’s wall sconces were huge and the seats were red velvet with gilded edges on the arms and backs. Dad belonged to a community acting group which would provide different plays there for the locals.
My peonies are in bloom and this peony really has bloomed. I really love the way this turned out. I wasn’t sure about the narrow lines, but I love them. The back is just as stunning as the front. I am not normally drawn to these colors, but sure am in this quilt. Congratulations on another wonderful finish!
Another stunner!!! that quilting design so enhances this quilt!! its amazing!!!
wow, very cool quilting job on this quilt. Love it!
I love seeing the quilting design on the back! Did you keep the same bobbin thread all the way through? It would appear that you did. I am amazed at how flat the quilt stayed after the quilting. I totally relate to your “I am a bit sad that it’s all gone,” comment! Happy because ‘yass!’ it’s used up, but ‘nooo,’ because it’s not readily available, but then ‘not to worry’ because we can always buy more.:-) It’s really pretty, and when I saw the thumbnail at Kelly’s linkup I immediately ‘saw’ the peony! It helps because they’re in full-on bloom here, just gorgeous.
Gorgeous finish Yvonne! The quilting is amazing. You have such patience with your work. I am referring to the curved lines you accomplished with a walking foot (if I understood you correctly). That is really challenging and they look so smooth. Love the Art Deco vibe this quilt has. Honestly I think I like the back as much as the front!
Your quilt is wonderful, Yvonne!! I love peonies and I might be able to grow this kind! LOL
Thanks so much for linking up with TGIFF!! In case my previous comment doesn’t come through, I love this…and peonies! Maybe I could grow this kind!! LOL