Anchor Quilt Progress — Borders and Acrobatics

 Before Tony and I went on our travels, I managed to complete the centre of Jiffy’s quilt — a multitude of sea blues and greens stitched into one much larger square. I was very pleased with how it was coming together and had hoped to blog about it on the Monday before we left… but alas, time had other plans.

So here it is, as it looked when we left town — quietly waiting for our return.

Today I was able to pick up where I left off. I’d planned to add a black inner border and, time permitting, piece together the outer border. Time was more than kind: both borders are now in place.

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The photography, however, was less cooperative. The holder-upper (you know who) tried valiantly. First he clambered onto the sofa — not quite right. 

Then he laid the quilt top on the floor while he stood on the coffee table phone in hand. Still not quite right.

 Finally, he dashed off for the step ladder.

I’m not entirely impressed with the image he captured… The colour is off and it was done in such a hurry, there really are no waves. but I do love his dedication.

And I think I captured the moment perfectly. 

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Now I just need to figure out how best to create and appliqué the anchor onto the quilt top. Do I quilt what I have first, then appliqué the anchor afterwards? That would certainly keep the background nice and flat, but the thought of pushing and pulling a fully quilted top through my machine while trying to keep an appliqué perfectly in place feels… ambitious.

The other option is to appliqué the anchor onto the flimsy, then quilt the whole thing, stopping and starting around the shape — or perhaps even quilting straight through it. So many possibilities, and each one comes with its own little “hmm”.

Before any of that, of course, I have to actually create the anchor. I could downscale Tula Pink’s version — her pattern is made of squares, I kind of want to stay away from them as the background is all squares. Or I could draw my own. Or go hunting on the great wide web and resize something that catches my eye.

Decisions, decisions. Luckily, I have three months to figure it all out and get it done. Though I don't want to leave it to the last minute.

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I’d love to hear what you think, too. If you’ve appliquéd a large motif onto a quilt before — especially something with long, sweeping curves — how did you tackle it? Did you quilt first and appliqué later, or appliqué onto the flimsy and work the quilting around it?

And if you’ve come across a great anchor pattern (or have thoughts on scaling, drafting, or adapting one), I’m all ears. Your suggestions might just help me make up my mind.

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