It seemed like a good idea, then not so much, then good again, then I ground my teeth. I think it was worth it.
(The blue is a bit washed out from the camera flash, but that’s what I get at 9:30pm!)
I thought my airplane quilt needed a little something more. A checkerboard border to echo the nine-patch alternate blocks sounded just right, and with strip piecing it would come together quickly. In theory.
In practice, strip piecing is still faster than cutting and sewing together individual 1.5 inch squares, but 196 little sub-cut units still take a while to cut and sew together! About halfway through I didn’t think this was such a good idea anymore! Thankfully the seams nested very nicely so I didn’t have to pin all those.
Once the border strips were pieced I was happy again – until I measured them. I thought I had a pretty accurate seam allowance, but being off by as little as1/32 of an inch or less on 40+ seams adds up to about an inch. On the positive side it was too long rather than too short, and I hadn’t yet cut the blue for the inner border I meant to use to float the center, so I was able to adjust that to make the pieced border fit. I won’t dwell on the blue strip that ended up too short by about 3 inches even though I used the quilt to mark the length.
Now I’m pleased with how the border looks and think it was well worth the effort. Now to choose a border width for the final blue border…. I think I might just procrastinate and go prepare the backing and binding instead.
This is a super quilt! The checkerboard was worth your trouble to make it. ~Jeanne
ReplyDeleteThe checkerboard border looks awesome!! Perfect for your quilt. I love the maple leaf block, too.
ReplyDeleteThat is a very nice effect, but I can understand questioning your choice when you were in the middle of it. Lots of slicing and stitching!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! That border is a terrific addition to your aeroplanes. It really sings.
ReplyDeleteThis looks great! I love the checkered border. And the little red maple leaf.
ReplyDeleteLooking at the pieced border, I'd have to say it was worth the effort! Well done.
ReplyDeleteIt looks perfect to me. I love the checkerboard border! We all often forget that so many seams can easily create havoc. All your work was certainly worth it. I know that little red leaf has a special place in your heart, doesn't it? ---"Love"
ReplyDeleteIt's wonderful--the checkerboard border is the perfect touch and worth the troubles! Awesome!
ReplyDeleteCheckerboard borders are so time consuming, but the end results are always stunning! Perfect addition!
ReplyDeleteLove the checkerboard boarder. Well worth the effort and frustration. Will that be a machine quilted or hand quilted beauty?
ReplyDeletePerfect finish for a great quilt!
ReplyDeleteAw, this is just great Joanne! I LOVE the maple leaf in the bottom right corner, makes me smile. :-)
ReplyDeleteI want to make one of these for my brother next year. Thanx for the finishing idea. Yours looks great, totally worth it. L
ReplyDeleteThe border looks fantastic! I hear you on the getting half way through and wondering. . . what in the heck was I thinking! I've only done a couple of pieced borders - you hit on every reason for my avoidance :) I always figure out how big I want the quilt to end up. . . and then I decide on the width of the borders. Probably not the best way to do it ;)
ReplyDelete