SAHRR Border 1
I’m here to show you my SAHRR Border 1 today. Have you been inspired by all of the center blocks? I’m still checking them all out, but there is such a fun mix!
For those of you new to my blog, let me give you a quick explanation of this quilt along. It is called the Stay at Home Round Robin, but we shorten it to SAHRR. This is the third year of this quilt along. Quilting Gail is the originator, and she has an excellent introductory post which you can read right here. Unlike traditional round robin quilts, where the center block is chosen and then sent to another quilter who adds a border, then on to another, and so on, the SAHRR stays with you and you add each border. A new border is announced each week, but you won’t know what that border is until that week – so it’s a bit of a mystery too. I’ve participated as one of the co-hosts with Quilting Gail for the past two years. To see my past SAHRR quilts, go to this post. We have a lot of fun, enjoy encouraging one another, and this year, we have some amazing sponsors! We’d love to have you join in! If you have any other questions about the SAHRR, leave a comment below.
Okay, let me show you my SAHRR Border 1. Roseanne and Sue of Homesewn by Us are our hosts for this week, and they’ve chosen the spool block for the first border. Make sure you stop by and read their post for more details on the spool border.
My last experience with spool blocks was in a quilt class – I was one of two that didn’t get the spool blocks done, so I have spool block trauma. It’s time for me to take another spin at a spool block. Let’s see how I do.
The first thing needed was a coping border for my little robin block.
Isn’t that phrase “coping border” calming, like a little bit of therapy? It is for me – it kind of gets me ready to go on the next step. Now, before I go any further, I need to make a little correction from my center block post. In that post, I said the background fabric for my block was Grunge in Faded Denim. However, I realized this week that it is actually Grunge in Ash. You can see that the background is dark, so I added a green coping border to brighten it up a bit. At this point, I am thinking I will add a green coping border for each round, but we’ll see. It’s all subject to change!
So, the spool blocks. I wanted to keep my border narrow, so small spool blocks were in order. Which design of spool, though? I tried making an orange spool like Aurifil thread, but that didn’t look right. I tried a traditional spool block at 2.5 inches. I didn’t like that either. What to do?! Then I realized that I could sketch out a spool and appliqué them to a border strip.
It turned out just as I wanted it to – I wanted the spools to dance around the robin. I have to admit those little spools were fussy, with all the fusing of those little pieces! I did enjoy digging through my scraps for the “thread” though. I fused them to the border strip and stitched around every single one, not altogether neatly, so I’ll just let you look from a distance. With this border added, my quilt measures about 20.5″ (I forgot to measure).
Now that you’ve seen my progress, or if this is the first time you’ve heard of the Stay at Home Round Robin, and you’d like to join in, you still can! Just choose your center block, and work on your spool units this week. Reading through the introductory post from Gail in the link above will be helpful, so be sure you take time to do that.
Remember that this is your quilt – it stays with you – so you can be creative with your borders. Just spool around and have fun!
When your border has been added to your center block, don’t forget to link up so we can see your progress. This week you will link up at Home Sewn by Us.
For inspiration, pop over to the rest of the co-hosts to see their SAHRR Border 1. Here’s the list and schedule – just click on the link to each blog.
- January 23: 1st Round: Roseanne & Sue @ Home Sewn by Us
- January 30 : 2nd Round: Wendy @ Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life
- February 6: 3rd Round: Chris @ Chrisknitssews
- February 13: 4th Round: Anja @ Anja Quilts
- February 20: 5th Round: Emily @ The Darling Dogwood
- February 27: 6th Round: ME!!! @ Quilting Gail
- March 13: Parade – showing all of your finished SAHRRs!
I’ll see you back here next Monday, January 30th, when I will be introducing the second border for our quilts! See you then!
Wendy
36 Comments
marissthequilter
I am so impressed. When I saw the photograph of your spool border I thought you had ‘cheated’ and used speciality fabric with the thread spools printed onto it. Then I read that you had created your own spools by first designing it and then with applique. Remarkable!
I also love the name of, and the idea behind, a coping border.
Looking forward to the next round.
Sandra Healy
Wow! Those spools look fantastic! I love how the green sets off the robin block. V cute!
Sally Johnson
Love, love , love, how you interpreted the spool block. You nailed it! 💗
Cindy Pieters
Love your spools, and how the colours dance around your robin! Well done!
rl2b2017
Good morning, Wendy! I have to agree with everyone else – you nailed this prompt. Those spools look so realistic! Dang! I’ll bet it was very fun finding just the right fabric for “thread.” Great job. I adore the addition of the green coping border. It really does brighten up that sweet robin. {{Hugs}} ~smile~ Roseanne
Helen
Love the spools! And, there’s your signature green making its appearance.
texasquiltgal
Your spools are adorable! I like that coping border too. If mine wasn’t already 20 inches I’d add one too.
Vicki in MN
Oh I love it!! Very creative to think about making them dancing appliques!!
laura bruno lilly
OMG I thought those spools were from a pre-printed panel! Fussy? Yikes! So glad you’re slipping in that lime – it works!
Sandra Walker
My dad’s voice popped into my head, “Well I’ll be damned!” I read Roseanne’s post and assumed I had to make a 3” spool block for this round. I just LOVE your dancing spools! Well done you! (not surprised though tbh; you’re so creative!) I also love the double entendre in your centre block for this round robin…wink!
Karen
love your spools and the bird!
The Joyful Quilter
Appliqued spools? Brilliant, Wendy!! I may have to copy your idea, if that’s ok with you.
Joyfully Tracie
Wow, just wow! The dancing spools are perfect for a rockin’ robin. I love the bit of whimsy it adds to the quilt. As usual, your creative brain always goes outside of the box. Well done!
Sara Fridley
The spools look great! They just dance around, and the size is perfect. Great job!
Laura M
Your dancing spools border is perfect. Feels so joyful.
Needle and Foot
This is adorable and creative and sooo much fun Wendy. Also – thank you Sandra for pointing out the cute play on Round Robin with your center block!
Yvonne @Quilting Jetgirl
Oh how fun! At first glance I thought you had found the most whimsical print ever, and then when I read that you appliqued them in place – so smart!
Kathleen McCormick
I love this! You really did a a great job with spools! Now I am totally intimidated….my block choice is still waffling and this first prompt will color it a bit (ha ha).
Karrin Hurd
I love your spool border! I might have to adopt your idea of fusing them in place. Great idea!
Laura
Like others, I thought you used a cheater panel for those spools. Ha! Love the motion those spools give to the piece! You are off to a great start! 🙂
Diann@ Little Penguin Quilts
Those are fun, Wendy! I love all that color dancing around the edge of your quilt. You had a great idea!
Carol Andrews
Hi Wendy. I just am in awe of your sweet dancing spools. Trust you to think outside the box and come up with something unique and fun! Well done!😉
quiltinggail
Love your spools! They are so unique … and they were definitely well worth the work! 🙂
Diane F Harris
Love, love, love the dancing spools!
Rochelle Summers
Such a charming border. Did you use actual fabric for the thread or did you “sketch” them? Whichever, it is lovely!!
Brenda @ Songbird Designs
Love it! Great idea to use the dancing spools fabric!
The Morning Latte
Ha, I thought you cheated there for a second, too! Those are great! How fun it must’ve been to rummage through fabrics to find all of those! Great border!
Chrisknits
I love it! Perfect spools!!
nanacathy2
First what a Good idea to keep your own quilt. I have done round Robin Cross stitch pieces, with clear guidelines on what I wanted, both times my wishes were ignored and I was disappointed. Next the spool border, oh my isn’t it just lovely. Love it
Cocoa Quilts
Wendy your spools are adorable! I love how they dance around. Great choice on your coping border!!
Kate
Love your interpretation of the prompt! The green coping strips are perfect. I hope my birds turn out half as good as yours is looking.
Janine @ Rainbow Hare
I love your robin and those dancing spools. I’m looking forward to seeing how this quilt grows with all the new rounds :
Dawn
Wendy, your spools are so cute dancing around your robin! I wonder what the next round will be?
knitnkwilt
I especially like your color choices–just the right amount of bright against the gray.
Quilting is in my Blood
Hi Wendy! I’m getting caught up with blog posts today, so you’ll probably see another comment or two later. Your spools are my absolute favorite. They are SO perfect!!!
Carla
OMG, this is the sweetest start and I love your appliqued spools. I can’t wait to see what you come up with next!