I finally got Halloween Figs off the design wall. This quilt is not finished, not by a long shot. There are three borders to put on it, one of them elaborately (of course) pieced. I just need to put HF down for a nap for a few months. I will revisit this top in the summer and get it done and quilted to use next October.
I know some of you take my advice, but I hope every one listens to this suggestion: Don’t leave a project up on your design wall for months and months. You will end up hating it. I am so sick of looking at this quilt. I tell you, it is almost enough to put me off orange and black. With luck, after at least six months apart, I will feel some affection for it again next time I see it.
This is the block that I was putting off doing for so long. I devoted yesterday to it and it took me about six hours. My machine applique skills are adequate at best, so I was very happy it wasn’t more difficult that it was. Still. There were a lot of pieces and it always takes me awhile to get back up to speed. I hope that will be the last applique block in my life for some time.
I am not super happy with the way the black stems show through the orange fabric star at the center of the block. I wonder if it will be less noticable when the quilt is full of batting and quilted.
Next up will be Cali & Co, which won’t take long to put together. I have the blocks and lattices all made, the only thing to do is sew it all together. It will need a border and I am not sure what I will choose for that. I will get the top together and audition a few things. One more WIP taken care of!
The remaining WIP on my conscience is the Erica Arndt Sew With Me 2025 sampler. That’s the one with the border that forms a bow design at the top of the quilt. I am just a few inches short of having enough fabric for the border. It is directional, wouldn’t you know, so I had to order two more yards of it.
I am pretty proud of myself for sticking to my goal of being organized and getting those WIPs finished up before I start on any new projects. I actually have one in mind that I think could be super fun and cute. It is the 2026 Strawberry Sew Along that Heather from My Sew Quilty Life is hosting. You do have to purchase the monthly patterns and I didn’t realize how pricey they were until I had purchased some fabric. I had so much Fig Tree fabric left over from the Strawberry Garden quilt I made last year, and I know I could easily use it up with this new block of the month. I just needed some more white background fabric and some extra red to make the blocks. The leftover fabric in my stash will work perfectly. I hope to dive into the first block this week.
By the way, did you all read the comments from Monday’s post? Donna commented that she finally had cataract surgery, based heavily on the discussion you readers and I had about how beneficial it was. She is now seeing so clearly she can’t believe it! And she gives us credit for encouraging her to take the plunge. How about that?
11 Responses
Take off the star piece and trim the black stems. It is only one piece to fix it. No, quilting will not cover it.
I am doing a pickle dish (paper piecing) where my white fabric seam allowances have to be wider than the dark fabric seam allowances under it to prevent a shadow, on every seam allowance in the whole thing. I do two wedges a day. There are 128 wedges.
You are crushing it, Nicole! Halloween Figs will be an heirloom. This summer, take a break from that elaborately pieced border and just stitch another slightly larger star over the first one. I bought Joanna’s ‘Twas the Night quilt on sale over the holidays and now I’m questioning if I should do it this year. Lots of work! The Calico quilt is one of my favorites that you worked on last year.
Off to take a look at your Strawberry Sew Along— heehee!
So pleased for Donna. Well done for completing the applique block. I agree with taking the star off, maybe add a bit of the orange fabric beneath just to give a little more to hid the black beneath – or a tiny bit of wadding and the star will be puffier?
Looking at the orange star, I don’t think quilting would ‘hide’ the black underneath. I like Carol’s suggestion to stitch a slightly larger orange star over this one. My sewing room has windows on three walls so I don’t have a design wall (gasp!) to worry about something being up for too long! Happy sewing today!
I didn’t really notice the black stems under the star until you mention it. If it bothers you, I think the suggestion of adding a bit of batting and a slightly larger star over it would look great
(Just my two cents worth!) I would remove the star and create one with a backing color the would help block out the black. You know if it bothers you now it is always going to bother you. This is a gorgeous quilt and you will love it in the fall -Don’t let that one spot ruin it.
About the black stems – Do you cut out the background fabric behind your applique pieces? Sometimes I do, sometimes I don’t. I think if you do that to the star (leave a 1/4 inch allowance in place) you can take most of the black stems with the background and not have to unsew the star.
Looks great! I’m sure you will fall in love again with it!
that is gorgeous! you’ll love it again when you pull it out in july/august. so much work but worth it.
Good news from Donna. Maybe Halloween Figs will look different in 6 months. The top looks great. Keep up the good work.
I know you’re tired of it, but I think your quilt top center looks great – will be fantastic in the fall!