JeannieB Posted May 3, 2014 Report Share Posted May 3, 2014 ive got a quilt that has blocks that are not square, mismatched sashing seams by over an inch, really wavy borders and the blocks have appliqued flowers. Sashing seam widths vary by an inch, too. Should i do an overall panto or go ahead and customize it with something really quick? My instructions are to do whatever it takes to make it look good. And i have a white backing! Any suggestions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonnie in Ok Posted May 3, 2014 Report Share Posted May 3, 2014 No expert here but would try to do some type of simple custom that will help to tame some of that extra fabric and will show your skills off. I am sure the customer will love it what ever you do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenslug Posted May 3, 2014 Report Share Posted May 3, 2014 Oh My!!!! Didn't think I knew this quilter - or maybe I know another one who has the same piecing skills. It does make life interesting. Have fun. Marilyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heirloom Quilter Posted May 3, 2014 Report Share Posted May 3, 2014 Hi Jeannie, from your photo it appears that the blue sashing strips are cut larger than the green sashing. Is it possible that this was done deliberately to avoid having to match seams perfectly? Maybe an overall design would look good? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oma Posted May 3, 2014 Report Share Posted May 3, 2014 I think this one would scare the pants off of me. I'm not sure quilting will fix any of this, but you can make your quilting look good. This may have been a quilt a mother or grandmother pieced so it has a lot of endearment value. You could practice with some custom work...not that you need any practice at all...if her pocket book allows it. I definitely want to see an "after" picture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ffq-lar Posted May 3, 2014 Report Share Posted May 3, 2014 Any design you choose that will isolate the mis-width sashings will only accentuate the mistakes. I would use invisible thread and a medium overall on everything except the appliques. Outline the applique and stitch something simple inside so they are dominant. Then swirls or paisleys on all the rest, ignoring the seams. Hopefully that will help draw the eye to the "pretty" and down-play the "not-so-pretty". You can use white thread in the bobbin easily with the invisible top thread, so there's no worry about pokies. It looks like block you show should have been sewn with the blue wider strip on the outside--then the sashings would have made more sense. Is the whole thing like this and could it be unpicked and turned easily? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enchanted Quilting Posted May 3, 2014 Report Share Posted May 3, 2014 Great suggestions...avoid and overall with applique (IMHO). Practice a medium custom. Love Linda's idea of an overall custom accenting the applique. Please share when you have put your charm into this quilt! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zora Posted May 3, 2014 Report Share Posted May 3, 2014 Just when you think there is no such thing as an ugly quilt..... I agree with Linda. Use an invisible to do an overall behind the applique and right over the sashings. Then something in the appliques to give them definition, and call it good. Short of remaking the whole thing, that is the best solution. I do think the varying widths of sashing was done intentionally. The blocks were probably odd sizes, and whoever put them together just wanted the rows to come out the same width. Sigh..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenscratch Posted May 3, 2014 Report Share Posted May 3, 2014 I agree with Linda. Outline and accentuate the applique and treat all the rest as an allover design. Paisleys or Swirls would be pretty behind the applique. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustSewSimple Posted May 3, 2014 Report Share Posted May 3, 2014 Would she pay for a double batt to help take up some of the pucker? I actually think this quilt has potential - not to be beautiful but easy to look at. I quilted one at Christmas that was purple and gold and not 100% cotton. It was poorly done - some of the seams were not even sewn together. I just did the best I could and squared EACH square as I went. When I got done she was pretty square and all buttoned down. The lady cried. I felt bad for thinking it was a sow's ear! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpsquilter Posted May 4, 2014 Report Share Posted May 4, 2014 Make it beautiful! Then they will notice the quilting and not the mistakes. I love quilts like this.....you can only make them better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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