Glad you like it Debbie! I use a lot of starch for both piecing and applique, and find that it makes either process much neater and more accurate!
Of course, I always wash all the starch out of my quilts as soon as the binding is on!

Margo wrote:
Margo--thanks for the advice on starching. I started the applique today and the starched background worked great for machine applique--no puckering at all.

Dear Sisters;

Thanks for the input. Hopefully I will start the borders tomorrow. I’ll let you see how it turns out & post it when they’re attached. i am starting on the back now! Trying to figure out how to do word art with everyones name on it.

I agree with Rita.

Hi Barbara, Your medallion looks great. My suggestions is that because you have the row of neutrals around the outside I would put a thin line of the darkest fabric first(the one in the middle on the floor) and then a wide boarder of the mottled green fabric on the left on the floor. But it is difficult to be at all sure without seeing everything in real life. Good luck with it. Rita.

HIRiverOwl -- I know how it feels to be asking opinions, because it's so hard to choose - there are so many fabrics out there. I asked and got so many opinions, but sort of blended them and got my answer.

So: I like the lighter green one - the one standing upwards at the right of the quilt - that's my first choice. My close second choice , or tie for first is the blue on the left. I find them both a little brighter and the blue one picks up the blues you have on the outer edges of the quilt. Just my opinion, but I tend to like lights and brights. For what it's worth. I like your row of neutrals around the edge.

Very pretty medallion, Barbara. I like all of the border fabrics~

djane wrote:
If you just spray with starch and let it air dry, it WILL draw up! If you spray with starch and iron it dry, you can control the flatness.

Here are some possible border choices. Help ????

Wow,
You all have been very busy, I feel guilty. I don’t know if I am going to make any deadlines but trying very hard. I have been away for a while, caught pneumonia while on genealogy trip with my sister to NY. To anyone living in upstate NY, it is such a beautiful place! My family lived in Stamford, NY for over 300 years. Now I have been asked to write up our findings for Historical Societies in NY. Back to quilting.... The posted quilts are so fabulous! I will need guidance on borders for anyone who has the time for input, I sure could use it! This has been the most challenging quilt I have ever made. I decided on Edyta’s Medallion quilt. Here is what I have so far. One edge is partially off so I will have to take it out and redo, then sew both halfs together and onto the borders. The back is a whole other issue I can’t even think about yet. I had to get a design wall ! That has helped a lot The photos make the quilt look very different than it does in person but i guess that is why it is a good idea to take photos once in a while.

Any input on borders would be appreciated. Quilt on you talented sisters!!

Thanks Margo. I never thought of starching. I will try that. I was worried about the fabric in the background being drawn up and then the size of the quilt would be distorted.

djane wrote:
If you are talking about Edyta Sitar's Tree of Life design, her stems are basically narrow strips that are straight with no curves. Treat it like any other straight applique, just be sure that your stitches don't draw up the background fabric. Instead of adding a stabilizer, I like to heavily starch my background fabric when I am going to be doing any kind of machine applique.

The work is breathtaking such talent. I have my HST put together I love the pattern Edyta did called Mountain Top. I spent two days thread basting it only to have to take all the basting out and will send it to a longarmer tomorrow. With teaching I don't have time to fret over this quilt and it is very special to me. will post a preview photo for you guys as soon as I can and then get a good photo to Carole. Have fun in Houston I will be thinking about you having so much fun maybe next year I will get there. Luv to all Joan

Theresa, I love the colors you are putting with the HST's. I think when you get the border fabric up there with them you'll change you mind about how it looks in person as opposed to EQ7. I think it looks great now. I love, love, love it. Can't wait to see it with the border fabric. And Sherry, the table topper is quite striking. You'll have to post a close-up of the quilting so we can see that too. I love, love all these quilts. Just what are we going to do next year when these are all done.Lois