Final Week #22 - Outer Borders & Applique
It's been a long, challenging year, but it seems time has flown by while piecing my 20 Years of KTQ quilt. Thank goodness there have been block-of-the-months, quilt-a-longs and monthly clubs to get us through 2020. I appreciate each of you for your continued support of KTQ and can't wait to show you what's in store for the New Year!
Let's talk about how to finish our 20 Years of KTQ quilts...
Applique
There are few little applique accents on the quilt - bees around the sunflower, a flower in the basket, stems & leaves on the pumpkins. I like fusible applique with topstitching. A lightweight fusible like Heat 'n Bond Lite works well. Topstitch with matching Aurifil cotton thread about 1/8" from the fused edges. OR, use the applique method of your choice. Be sure to add 1/4" to the templates given for needle-turn applique. Add the applique before adding borders for less bulk when turning the quilt. Even better, before sewing the sections together.
Outer Borders
For now, let's talk borders. I almost always cut my outer borders the length of fabric (LOF). The weave of the fabric is more stable lengthwise (pull on a piece of fabric and feel the difference). It also eliminates seams for a smoother, perfectly flat border. This creates a better frame for your quilt with less chance of waviness in the borders after quilting. For a lap quilt, I can also cut the binding strips the length of fabric. With 6 1/2" to 7 1/2" wide borders, there is enough width left for (4-5) 2 1/2" strips. Again, LOF binding doesn't stretch as much as width of fabric strips (WOF). I also find it requires less fabric overall.
For our 118" square king size quilt with 10 1/2" outer borders, we'll use the full WOF for borders. I cut about 121" of the 4+ yards for borders. Measure your quilt through the center and on both sides to get a good measurement for borders. Open the fabric to a single layer 45" wide. Fold the fabric lengthwise so it will fit on your cutting mat. Cut (4) 10 1/2" strips, excluding the selvedges. Trim (2) of the strips to your measured length of the sides of the quilt. Fold the border strip in half and mark with a pin. Match up the center point with the center side of your quilt. Pin in the center and on both ends. Add more pins in between every 8" or so. Sew the side outer borders onto your quilt. Press toward the outer border. Repeat the process for the top and bottom borders.
Backing
Woohoo! The hard part is over! Now it's time to prepare the backing. We have a few KT 108" backings available now with more options coming in the spring. Call the KT Quilt Shop for more information. Since our quilt is larger than 108", we'll have to piece the backing whether using 108" or 45" wide fabric. Trim the selvedge edges, measure, cut and pin the pieces just like you're adding borders. The backing needs to be straight & square with no puckers for a beautifully quilted finish. It's worth the extra time.
Thank you again for joining me on this year-long celebration of 20 with Moda Fabrics. I've looked forward to visiting with you each month. You've helped me through this difficult year in many ways. Please let me know if you have questions about the BOM quilt, or any KT pattern. I'd love to chat.
Prairie Days Sampler
I'm currently piecing a fun sampler quilt with my new Prairie Dreams fabric collection (ships in March). It's a little different for me with the color blocking versus scrappy, but I'm loving it! It starts with a Prairie Dreams Layer Cake. KT Quilt Shop will offer the kit as a 6-month block-of-the-month beginning in April, with a Facebook Live tutorial each month.
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63" x 74" lap quilt
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In addition to the lap quilt above, there are 6 mini quilts made with the same blocks as in the sampler using a 2nd Prairie Dreams Layer Cake. I've enjoyed piecing a mini quilt along with the same blocks for the lap quilt. I have a little quilt now (instant gratification), and can look forward to completing the quilt in just 6 months. Win, win, fun, fun!
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Red Dawn (24x30)
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Day Dreamin' (19sq)
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Midnight Flight (15x29)
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Morning Dew (25sq)
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Afternoon Delight (18sq pillow)
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Evening Shadows (16sq)
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Watch for more information after the first of the year, or call the KT Quilt Shop to sign up 785-488-2120.
I can't wait to see all the great things that are sure to come our way in 2021 - retreats (in person & virtual), new fabric & quilts and lots of online fun. Please follow me here, on Facebook at Kansas Troubles Quilter Lynne Hagmeier and on Instagram @lynnektq for all the latest KT news and fun giveaways.
