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The Quilt Top
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A "top" is the fabric you see on the upper surface of the quilt. After the top is completed a layer of batting and then another layer of fabric is added and the three layers are stitched together to connect (quilt) them.
The quilt tops are machine pieced and/or machine appliquéd and sometimes incorporate hand appliqué, embroidery, beading, and trapunto. All tops have my marble fabric and/or my dyed and hand painted fabrics. Commercial fabric is used to back the quilt and for the binding. On rare occasions I use commercial fabrics on the front.
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Log cabin pieced block using hand marble and dyed cotton and is an example of patchwork.
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| Sewing the top can take a great deal of time depending on the pattern and techniques used. Each quilt is different so the time demands vary with the project. The amount of fabrics and number of pieces are two factors in the time it takes to finish the top. Different techniques such as piecing patchwork, applique, embroidery, beading, and trapunto are used to create the top.
The exacting nature of matching seams, keeping it flat, no unintentional pleats, and so forth, taught me patience. I have learned to love this part of the process. I've also learned to develop my own set of techniques that are comfortable yet challenging. And there is the reliable seam ripper when all else fails!
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Hand marble and dyed cottons are used in this floral applique which is also uses a trapunto technique.
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Through long hours of piecing and ironing, I get lost in looking at the fabrics, enjoying the colors coming together. And as the large pieces are connected to create the center my logical mind relaxes allowing a space to decide the remaining fabrics and colors. This is why I never pick my border fabrics at the beginning. By allowing for change as the top develops I never feel tied down by a choice I made.
If you would like to learn about paper piecing, one technique I use, click here for lesson. |
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Example of chain sewing log cabin blocks.
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