Monday 16 March 2015

Are mitred corners the answer?

This weekend I was tidying up in my sewing room and I found my BCQC block finished but, still all hooped up.  I wasn't sure what I should make with the finished block.  In the end I decided that I would add some borders and stretch it over a canvas so that I could have it hanging in my sewing room where I will see it every day.


I unhooped the block and trimmed it off so that the corners were square. I chose some fabric which picked out one of the thread colours that I had used to embellish the block and added a border to each of the sides.  Once I had done that, I stretched the block over a blank canvas that I had and stapled the fabric to the back.  I folded the raw edges in as I went along.



The block looks nice as a picture and I really love being able to see it as I work in my sewing room.  I have lots of blocks and wall hangings on the wall in my sewing room, I find them inspiring.  Several of the pictures are blocks that I have stretched over canvasses and, although I am pleased with them, it has irritated me that I haven't been able to get the corners to look as tidy as they perhaps could.  This is mainly due to the bulk of the fabric in the seams where the borders are added, it makes the corners a little lumpy.  


I was thinking about this dilemma as I was preparing my next project which, is a cute little embroidery design by Gail Pan.  It is called 'Welcome Spring' and was a free pattern as part of a blog hop that Gail participated in.  I had decided that I would embroider the design and make it up into another little canvas picture.  I suddenly had the idea that perhaps adding a border with mitred corners would help reduce the bulk when stretching the fabric over the canvas.


I have never added a border with mitred corners to either a block or a quilt top and I thought it might be time to learn how to do it.  I found a great video tutorial by the Fat Quarter Shop which is was very easy to follow.


I was pleased with the result and, once I have finished the embroidery and I am ready to stretch the fabric over the canvas, I will let you know if it gives the neater finish on the picture that I am looking for!!  At the moment it is all hooped up ready for stitching!


14 comments:

  1. I love that block you finished off. The little hedgehog is super cute. Also love the idea of the cork board with all the little hanging things on it. Looks great.

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    1. Thank you Dasha! I love my sewing space.... it makes me happy!! Have a lovely week! :) x

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  2. The mitred corners look very good! I can see how you'd be inspired by the wall hangings and your bulletin board! Just lovely!
    Cathy
    CraftyCat

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    1. Thank you Cathy! I was pleased with the mitred corners... just hope they reduce the bulk when I have to cover the canvas! :) xx

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  3. You'll be needing a bigger wall soon!! I really like your new piece and I am sure the mitred corners will work well xx

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    1. Thank you Janet! Luckily, I have other walls I could use! :) xx

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    2. Very interested to see what happens with the mitred corners and if they work to reduce the bulk. Just made a canvas for a blog hop and I too thought it was a bit bulkier that I wanted for the corners.
      Karen

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    3. Hi Karen! I hope it works!! I'll let you know how I get on! :) x

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  4. Your canvas looks wonderful, Christine. I want to try using a canvas but that's another thing on my list!

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    1. Thank you Christine! They are a nice alternative to a wall hanging or framing an embroidery. :) x

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  5. Your BCQC block is SO cute! I love that it is finished and hanging where you can enjoy it! I am curious to see if the mitered corners work better for you. (I have not tried putting a finished piece on canvas, but love the way your projects have turned out!)

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    1. Thank you Renee! I am really enjoying seeing my BCQC block on my wall every day. I'll let you know how I get on with the corners.... hope the mitres do the trick! :) x

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  6. Liebe Christine, wundervoll schaut Dein Block aus, ich liebe Deine zarten Arbeiten.

    Liebe Grüsse
    Uta

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    1. Thank you Uta! I am looking forward to showing the finished block at the next Gail Pan SAL link up! Enjoy the rest of the weekend! :) x

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