Finally I have found the backing fabric for my SWAK envelope quilt, thanks to a good special at Spotlight. It is a linen weight cotton, from the upholstery section of all places, printed with french text and postmarks, reminiscent of vintage postcards - just perfect for an envelope themed quilt. I went with the natural colour way.
The backing has been made, and includes a row of envelopes that weren't used in the quilt top, and has been spray basted to the batting (then I ran out of spray glue) so the top is pin basted. I am itching to start quilting it, but am just waiting for inspiration to strike as to how. I am wondering about hand quilting it - I was thinking of perhaps stitching circles in the areas where four corners meet, echoing the postmarks from the backing. If it gets machine quilted it will probably be my favourite method of late - cross hatch. Of course once the decision has been made as to how it will be quilted, the indecision starts as to what colour thread to use. Other ideas are most welcome, just remember I can only do straight stitch quilting with my machine.
Linking up to at WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced.
I love that backing! I think your Spotlight is much better than mine! And this envelope block is one of my favourites too! I can see some straight lines working- at an angle above the top edge of the envelope and extending through into the next envelope. You would end up with a diamond shape! Does that make sense?
ReplyDeleteSuch a fun quilt. How about straight lines, sometimes known as 'match stick quilting'. Vertically would be nice.
ReplyDeleteI am always for hand-quilting as a choice because I am not very good at machine quilting LOL
ReplyDeleteYes, perfect backing for this! It's going to be such a fun & vibrant quilt when all finished! How many envelope blocks are there?
ReplyDeleteWow - I love this quilt. The backing is just perfect. You made me a little homesick with your mention of Spotlight - I used to travel from Tauranga to Rotorua just for a piece of fabric!! I like all the lighter backgrounds around the envelopes - I don't have any in my stash but now see how effective they can be.
ReplyDeleteoh it is going to look super - and that backing is perfection! I love love the idea of the circles... but I can see straight lines too! Not terribly helpful! If you do handquilting you can vary the colours of course if you wanted... otherwise maybe cream? Cant wait to see how you go!
ReplyDeleteImpressive, you couldn't have got better. Love the idea of hand stitching in circles, reminiscent of the old postmark stamp, perfection.
ReplyDeleteReally nice block ! And I like very much the backgrounds around the envelopes. For the quilting I would choose hand stitched circles. It is a very good idea.
ReplyDeleteThis is actually the part that I find to be the hardest thing about quilting... is the actual quilting itself. I love picking patterns, pulling fabrics, combining colors and designs, but when it comes to coming under the machine for the quilting part, that seams to be where inspiration takes a coffee break. But despite all that, I think I still prefer simple quilting.
ReplyDeleteGreat backing choice! I spy sevearl of my favorite prints in there too! Have fun with this!
This is lovely! I would have trouble mailing any letters if the envelopes were this nice. :) My favorites are the daisy in the pink envelope and the indelible envelope. So pretty!
ReplyDeleteOh, oh, this is looking so lovely and excited that you did indeed, find THE perfect backing. Love it!
ReplyDeleteI love the pink envelope with the flower, very fun.
ReplyDeleteCarla
It looks great and I am sure that however you decide to quilt it it will be lovely! xx
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