Monday, July 23, 2012

Banner Corners and Borders


As I mentioned yesterday, I finally realized in April that I had to simplify the design for my banner, because I still wanted the stitcheries themselves to be the focal point.  These little 2" finished square-in-a-square blocks were an idea that I had rejected early on.  But when I looked at the stitcheries I realized that the designer Jim Shore had put different blocks in each corner of his borders, so I could make my blocks more interesting by varying the colours!  I went to my stash and pulled the fabrics to match the stitching.

I mentioned a few days ago that I planned right from the beginning to use Flying Geese around the sides of the stitcheries.  I also planned all along to do them in green and yellow, echoing the colours of the top border which are consistent on all three pieces:


But during my final design phase in April I worried that green and yellow would be too high contrast, too busy, and therefore distract from the stitcheries.  I went to my stash looking for two shades of green instead, and found these:


I really, really love this fabric combination!  The small print against the big one, the slightly warmer geese versus the cooler background, the geese are defined without being "in your face."  These sections will finish at 2" x 6" each. I am foundation paper piecing them, which I did for the corners as well, using my own home made foundations copied onto vellum.  They are quite slow to sew, but at least the points are perfect!  There will be 10 in all.  Here's a preview of how it will all look together:


Imagine if I had gone ahead with those stumpwork daisies!  This is so much better.

I took advantage of a break in the humidity last week to piece these side sections, but I still have six left, so I think it will still be a while before this is finished.  I have found, though, that I stay cooler working on something small like this, rather than trying to manage large pieces of fabric and long seams.

There will also be a little bit of needleturn applique in the triangle at the bottom.  Hopefully I'll be able to show you that soon!


Previous Posts:

Percy Pig

Sophie Sheep

Clarissa Cow

9 comments:

  1. Very nice. I like your ideas. Try to stay cool. It is 105 degrees here today and the rest of the week is supposed to be equally as hot. Can't wait to see what August brings.

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  2. Thanks, Mary Ellen. It is steamy here too today, but it will already start cooling off tomorrow. Central Ontario is already starting to see cooler nights, so I have a feeling that here, at least, August may be pretty normal.

    It is such a relief when we get that first real north wind! I'm thinking it will be no more than 3 weeks now.

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  3. Coming together nicely. Love them all and I can wait to see your finished banner

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  4. The greens are really inspired. You have a great eye for colour. It's shaping up beautifully.

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  5. Thanks, Jillian! It is great to finally know where it is going. ;)

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  6. You haven't posted in a while. Hope everything is okay.

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  7. Thank you for your concern, Mary Ellen. I'm ok, it's just summer laziness setting in here. I'll put something together soon!

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  8. Oh, good to hear that you are relaxing. I can relate. Hope to see a post when you are ready.

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I'm told Blogger has been bouncing some comments, so if it happens to you I'm sorry! But the settings look right so I can't explain it. In any case, thanks for reading!

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