As you know, I love the challenge of working with panels. So many don't but I really enjoy creating different borders to add interest to the panel. Tuesday I found myself needing to do something besides snowman table runners and snowmen. So I dug went through my winter panels and decided to play with this cardinal one. This is what it looked like when I began. In order to get everything squared up and measured to where I needed it to be, I trimmed it right to the outer edge of the red border.
Then I went to my stash to find just the right fabrics in scale and color. Yes I had to pull out a few of each in order to get just the ones I wanted, a red, a green and a white. And a black with gray swirls-it was the perfect match to the black with snowflakes behind the cardinals. After I get it quilted I'll show you close ups of the fabrics. Then off to EQ to mock it up. I added a one inch(finished) border in black next to the panel red. That will bring it up to the size I need to make the 2"(finished) checkerboard come out. Or so I thought...if you look carefully at the very end of the checkerboard they are cut off:( I just wasn't going to start over so I carried onward, it's not the end of the world!!!
Here is why it didn't work out. In EQ I mocked it up with the 1" black borders all around the panel. And then changed my mind when piecing it because if I left it that way the bottom would have another black 2" border in addition to the 1" already in place. I didn't like that look, so off came the 1" black border.
After making 2 1/2" x 5 1/2" flying geese and a trunk I had a tree. And topped it off with a tone on tone red. I might quilt some holly leaves in the red. The final border is the back with grey swirls in a finished 2 inch. In case you are curious what method I use to make flying geese, I love using the Fons and Porter geese ruler.
Linking with NTT
Wow Vickie this panel looks awesome,you do such beautiful work,well done.
ReplyDeleteHi Vicki! WOWEE! I have a great fondness for cardinals. Sue hates birds of all sorts, or I would have bird feeders galore especially for the hummingbirds. Anyhow, this turned out great!! I love all of your choices and I never in a million years would have noticed the checkerboard being cut off if you hadn't pointed it out. The borders all do their job of highlighting the center so nicely! Sweet. You know I'm looking forward to hearing how you quilt it. I don't know if we have a flying geese ruler. Hmm. That may need to change!! Happy Thursday to you! ~smile~ Roseanne
ReplyDeleteVery artistic, Vicki! I'm excited to see your quilting on it!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you pushed on after discovering the border wasn't perfect. Because perfect is overrated! Panels are so fun, but they can be frustrating when the sizes are odd or they aren't square. This one is really pretty and your border treatment really look great. I know your quilting will push it much closer to perfect, too :)
ReplyDeleteLove this one! Great border additions.
ReplyDeleteCardinals are a perfect choice. It is such an nice panel. Hope you had fun taking a break from all those snowmen!
ReplyDeleteLooks great, Vicki! I've had that happen with checkerboards too, and I did the same thing as you. Sometimes, you just have to keep moving forward! Looking forward to seeing the finish on this one!
ReplyDeleteI always love what you do with panels! It's really the borders you add that make yours so unique. The flying geese pine tree is a great idea!
ReplyDeleteWOW, I love it. I have a panel with a Christmas tree on it, I'm thinking I will border with star blocks. You are always very inspiring. Thank YOU 🎄
ReplyDeleteI've never done a panel yet. However, I have swooned on a few. I love what you do with yours. I can't wait to see your quilting on it. Maybe this is the inspiration I need to give it a try.
ReplyDeleteLove what you do with panels, girl! It's always fun to watch your thought process and where it ends up, which is always pretty and I'm with Louise. Who cares about perfect!
ReplyDeleteLove the border.......so 'makes' that quilt!!!!
ReplyDeleteI think it is wonderful and creative, and the cutting off of the checkerboard doesn't bother me a bit. I like that you do things that need to be done and get on with it. =)
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