Friday, March 11, 2016

Ben Biggs in the Sewing Room with a Needle

I got to spend some more time with the BBiggs quilt. Since the borders are pretty much the same it is a little boring to show you, but I thought I'd let you tag along and show you how I'm doing it. 

After appliqueing the second border I added it by centering it and the quilt and matching them up first, then the ends. It fit together really well. 


 One side...
 And the other....

I then took three measurements so I would know exactly how long to cut my other two borders. I measured  on the two sides and through the center. Mine was exactly 70" at all 3 measurements. (miracles really do happen!) . Personally I think the border is a bit wide at 10" so I didn't need to be super exact. Chances are I will trim them later. I plan on checking Gay's blog and seeing what the original size is and how it is quilted before I make that decision.
 Then I measured from the swag down, so when I started on the other two borders, they would all be relatively close. This photo turned upside down, but my measurement is 5 1/8" from the edge, Since it is already sewn I need to add 1/4" for the seam allowance.
 I cut my border 10" x70 and creased the center so I'd know where to place my swag. I measured from the bottom up to find the 5 3/8" placement. (again, my photo is upside down)
 For the bud placement I put the pattern sheet underneath my fabric and laid out the pieces on top. I'm fusing, so once they are placed I iron them down ready to use a tiny zig zag with matching thread.
I left the corners open because I'll need to improvise on the swag pattern a little. I  won't attach the right border until the machine applique is done. I will also applique the swags before adding the red three bud thing. That way where the swags meet I don't have to be that neat. 
I hope that makes sense.

 The talented and generous Cheri of Quilts by Cheri has started a little sampler on her facebook page. Here's my first 4 blocks.
My instagram feed is filled with Elsa!
I also sent my registration in to go on the mission trip to Peru in November! So exciting!

Have a really wonderful weekend.


Posted by at
Labels: , , , , ,

21 comments:

  1. ChantalMarch 11, 2016 at 5:37 AM

    You're never boring Lori. Love to see the progress and how others do things because I am still learning you know. (Aren't we all?) Although I don't do appliqué (yet) it is something I would like to learn. So thank you so much for sharing these informations. ;^)

    ReplyDelete
  2. CathyMarch 11, 2016 at 5:57 AM

    Lori your Benjamin Biggs quilt is so beautiful. I love your borders. Hugs

    ReplyDelete
  3. Juliann in WAMarch 11, 2016 at 6:16 AM

    Nice work on those borders and how exciting about Peru!

    ReplyDelete
  4. KarenMarch 11, 2016 at 6:28 AM

    You are making good progress on the borders.....even if they are a bit boring to repeat and repeat and repeat. I just finished the blocks for a fair sized piece and am not happily looking forward to doing the applique borders as they are repeat kind of things.

    ReplyDelete
  5. mary-myneedlethead.blogspot.comMarch 11, 2016 at 6:41 AM

    Beautiful Lori, great progress, love your blog! Hugs, Mary

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousMarch 11, 2016 at 6:55 AM

    This is a beautiful quilt. I always wondered how anyone would get these swag borders lined up. Now I know!

    ReplyDelete
  7. RuthMarch 11, 2016 at 6:55 AM

    Is your background fabric muslin? If so, what kind. Thanks for sharing your sewing methods.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Janet O.March 11, 2016 at 7:27 AM

    Great instruction on creating the border.
    I see a panel of Generals on your IG feed--from MSQC? I just bought that same panel.
    Peru--how exciting!! My son is considering a trip to Peru this year. Don't know if it will happen, but he certainly does like to globe trot. So far he has been to Switzerland, Iceland, India and Dubai. And he was a missionary in Argentina about 10 years ago. I, on the other hand, have never left North America. : )
    November will be here before you know it! I am thrilled for you!

    ReplyDelete
  9. JanetMarch 11, 2016 at 8:26 AM

    Thanks for letting us "tag along" it was interesting to read how you tackled your border. Hurrah for the missions trip to Peru :0) Your sampler blocks are wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
  10. pauletteMarch 11, 2016 at 8:35 AM

    Thanks for sharing your process for 'getting there'!! Love this quilt and can appreciate all the work that it's taken you to get this far! We are watching an heirloom in the making!!! You GO girl!

    ReplyDelete
  11. audreyMarch 11, 2016 at 11:26 AM

    Thanks for the walk-through on your process with putting the border together! It's always interesting to see how others manage this. And yes, it's practically a miracle to have that good of measurements on an applique border. Yay for you!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Every StitchMarch 11, 2016 at 12:11 PM

    Nice to see your border process - I've been through this so recently too! I did the same by leaving the corner swags to add later - needed a little adjustment to match up at the end. I love seeing all the pics of your fabrics - beautiful in the blue!

    ReplyDelete
  13. KyleMarch 11, 2016 at 1:12 PM

    It's great to follow along with your process. It's not an easy thing to get it all to come out exactly right, but yours seems to be on track. I didn't realize you were machine appliquéing. It should go fast and you'll be on to the corners soon. It's a beauty. Congrats on your next mission trip. It will be here before you know.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Rina SpinaMarch 11, 2016 at 2:10 PM

    Your quilt is turning really beautiful! I wonder how you can do all this work, you are amazing.
    Thank you for let us peek on your progress!
    God bless for your trip to Peru.

    ReplyDelete
  15. HollyMarch 11, 2016 at 3:13 PM

    You are inspiring me to finish the border of a king size medallion quilt I've put aside. The final border is dresdan fans that make half fans on sides and 3/4 fans wrap corners. Once I get a design worked out, sometimes it gets boring to work on. It's all pieced, just need to machine embroider the fans, then sew on. I would begin to explain the B Biggs thats not finished either!! haha.... Yours looks great.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Randy D.March 12, 2016 at 3:57 PM

    Looks like being home sick gave you a chance to get lots of work done! Hope you're all better. Hope we can meet up next time we're up in Central Oregon in a couple of weeks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LoriMarch 12, 2016 at 7:09 PM

      Absolutely NO sewing while I was sick. I worked on these after I recovered.

      Delete
  17. AnonymousMarch 13, 2016 at 5:43 AM

    WOW you're making great progress on your BBiggs quilt.. it's going to be a stunning when it's finished!
    I'm doing Cheri's SAL too, isn't it FUN! I love your scrap happy blocks :))

    ReplyDelete
  18. FlickenstichlerinMarch 14, 2016 at 7:41 AM

    Beautiful border Lori, it looks great, so do the little blocks.
    Greetings,
    Sylvia

    ReplyDelete
  19. Linda OMarch 15, 2016 at 4:59 PM

    Great progress on BBiggs. I loved seeing your process! I have been working on Cheri's little blocks too. So fun to dig around in the scraps. Congrats on your upcoming Peru trip! November will be here in a flash.

    ReplyDelete
  20. BarbMarch 21, 2016 at 5:59 AM

    BB is looking lovely - oh my what a great quilt this is.

    ReplyDelete

Because the ridiculous amount of SPAM I have resorted to comment moderation.

I love to reply to comments or a question. If you are on noreply-comment@blogger.com I have no way of contacting you. Please leave an email address. If you need help changing the setting please email me.
If you want to comment feel free to send me an email as I would love to hear from you!

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)