Ages ago, I picked up a big stack of embroidered panels. These were completed by a learner seamstress, given an expensive sewing machine and "instructed" to produce this quilt by her now ex-husband. She produced the panels, but then the marriage broke down, and she couldn't face trying to finish the quilt. The centre panel needs some lines of stitching, and I plan to use my machine and a twin needle to complete those. There is a lot of sadness surrounding these panels, and I want to make them into something beautiful.
2016-08-11_04-45-19 by
Dani, on Flickr
2016-08-11_04-45-36 by
Dani, on Flickr
*** I have already removed the dark green edging ..... I really dislike green***
The panels already have the batting in place within the embroidery, I think the original design was a QAYG design, although the pieces don't have any backing. I am thinking of using a MSQ method, that puts the backing on and joins in one go.
https://quiltingtutorials.com/tutorial/how-to-quilt-as-you-go-any-blockIts probably not the most elegant method, and it means the backing won't be anchored other than at the seams, but I don't think that the panels lend themselves to additional quilting. Next I need to decide on backing/joining fabric.
One way is a vintage floral on every single panel. A small enough print will just blend the seams, the front would have a border of floral around each panel and the back will just look like one big piece, with big squares of stitching.
Or .... I could source a number of blender fabrics in the same design, in a mix of colours to pick up the colours in the embroidery. The effect on the back would be a set of mixed squares, with the front having multi-coloured borders around each panel.
What do you think? Am I on a good path, or do I risk ruining them?