Bird Island, Sunset Beach,NC

I've started a new project. This is another thank you gift for dear friends. They visit us each year from Northern California (the best part of the state!) and come to enjoy the beach, ocean, and golf.... well, Mike enjoys the golf but Elizabeth comes to sew with me. Anyway, they love Sunset Beach so I thought a seascape would be a fine idea. Here's the beginning... Rather than using my usual method of fusing the layers, I decided to try anchoring them with a regular, good old glue stick. I wanted to see if the fabric would look softer without the Wonder Under. I carefully basted the layers with invisible thread as I anchored the whole thing onto a muslin backing. It all seemed to work fine. The glue stick gave me no trouble at all.


Next I wanted to add a frame around the edge... So, I began to research how to do mitered corners. I consulted a new book I've just purchased The Art of Landscape Quilting by Nancy Zieman and Natalie Sewell. Page 136 had a great tutorial on mitered corners - easy to follow. I think I did well. What do you think? The picture with Sweet Puny Puss shows the process of sewing on the strips and the second picture shows the completed frame. Adding binding with mitered corners I learned easily last year. Now I feel like I've made another giant step in creating art quilts with a real professional edge. If only it were that easy. I keep hiding from all the intricate free motion quilting techniques.

Back to the quilt... I've added the batting and backing fabric and begun to free motion. While doing the ocean water I used an irregular zig-zag stitch and 3 colors of thread... silver metallic, white silk, and blue rayon. I wanted to create the illusion of the white foam glistening in the sun.

My next step will be to add sea oats and dune grasses in the foreground, along with something near the horizon line... sailboat?, pelican?, seagull?,.... I've got to think about it.  (What's to think about... this is called Bird Island - add a bird!)... Well, that certainly make sense. I love it when I give myself good ideas!
Happy Stitchin'
Hugs from Mary

Comments

  1. Quilt RatAugust 11, 2011 at 5:53 PM

    This is developing really well.....gonna be a beauty!

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousAugust 12, 2011 at 1:10 AM

    I really admire anyone that can create a landscape quilt like this. The border looks great, and what you have so far is wonderful. I really wish I had your talent.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Mary CouchAugust 12, 2011 at 10:00 AM

    Thanks so much for the feedback... I appreciate the encouragement.
    Hugs from Mary

    ReplyDelete
  4. IzzieAugust 23, 2011 at 12:07 AM

    Hey look! Miss Puny is using her pillow! Miracle of miracles.

    ReplyDelete

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