Scrappy Golden Circles
This week has been a busy one, with less time than usual for quilting. Fortunately, I still had time to hand stitch my appliqued circles for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. I finished up seven more blocks in shades of yellow and gold. I believe that is the end of the warm colors for me. All that's left are some light and bright green circles, and I think that will be our color assignment for November.
On some of my blocks, especially the paler colors like yellow, you can see a shadow through the circle from the seam in the light and dark fabrics of the background. I have started trimming out the background behind those circles.
Here's a question for you fans of hand applique out there--would you cut away the background on ALL of your blocks so they were consistent, or only on the blocks where the seam shows through? I wish I had pressed that background seam open instead of toward the dark; it would not make such a ridge in the circle.
Be sure to check out all of the wonderful scrappy projects at the Rainbow Scrap Challenge every Saturday and at Oh Scrap! over at Quilting is more fun than Housework on Sunday.
Julie in GA
good question. My first thought was trim the ones that shadow, but not trimming the others would cause them to stand out a bit more than the trimmed ones. If hand quilting, trim all. If machine quilting decide if you like the idea that some may stand up a bit more. They are outstanding graphics
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I haven't had that issue as I've usually appliqued on light fabrics or brown behind the entire block so if there was show through it would be everywhere and not a problem. I know some people have lined their circles that is cut one in a colour and one in white, cream or used fabric dryer sheets sewn them right sides together then cut a slit in the backing and turned the circles. The lining seems to have solved any see through issues. But it's too late to try that now. LeeAnn suggestion is a good one.
ReplyDeleteI was taught to trim away my background fabric for hand applique and I've done it consistently, although I don't have a ton of experience with it. I do use freezer paper templates and starch to prep my hand applique shapes and I just stitch the shapes completely and then trim the background fabric to get the freezer paper out. I haven't had any issues with the blocks stretching out of shape. OTOH, I know folks who don't trim their background fabric and are horrified that I do!
ReplyDeleteI'm not a fan of cutting away the backing on applique. I would only trimming the ones that show through. LOVE the golden shades on the black and white prints!!
ReplyDeleteOh, goodness me, those blocks just sing to me. I've determined that they will be my to go project while I travel back to Tx for the winter. I picked up some more b&w's last weekend at the Fibre Arts Festival. I'd lean toward the consistent side and trim them all. I'm so excited to see your quilt all put together!
ReplyDeleteI would compare the trimmed blocks to the not trimmed blocks. I wouldn't make them all the same unless you can see a difference. Unless of course, you are hand quilting. Then it would be better to have fewer layers.
ReplyDeleteHow are you going to feel about them when the quilt is done. Which choice will give you more satisfaction, because you may be the only one who will ever notice the difference. Let your heart tell you!
ReplyDeleteThey are lovely. I'm not good at trimming away my backing so I'm no help. Do what you will be happy with in the finished quilt. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteListen to the quilt blocks and they'll tell you what they need . . . but, if in doubt, trim it away just to be safe.
ReplyDeleteI kind of like the shadow effect on some of them...but then, that's just me....your quilting lines may make them almost unnoticeable anyway... but then, I am no applique maven at all....have fun deciding...hugs, Julierose
ReplyDeleteI would think the quilting will hide some of that.
ReplyDeleteI've been appliqueing Dresdens this year and haven't trimmed any backgrounds away. (I think that's because I'm too lazy to do so.) If I did trim I would do it on all of them. Also note I'm no applique queen.
ReplyDeleteNo matter what...you quilt will still have the WOW! factor.
Beautiful blocks! Looking forward to seeing this quilt come together : )
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