Scalloping Along

 This week I've been working on the longer scallop borders, and I thought that I'd share how I set them out.

I measured the 2 1/2" strips - this border is 36 1/2" long.

Using a water erasable pen (choose your favourite disappearing marker here!) I drew a line 1/2" from one of the long sides.

 Then I measured in 1/4" from the end, and marked every 2" on the long line that was drawn first.

Finally I lay out my scallops so that the top of the curve just touched my 2" apart marks and pinned them in place.  You will have a lovely line of scallops to applique round, properly spaced.  You may want to catch the flat edges of the scallops down with a line of machine stitching - I like to make sure that I'm within the 1/4" seam allowance when I do that.

The next thing for me to do is to make my corner blocks.  Again, a slight departure from Esther's pattern (sorry Esther, no disrespect intended, just fiddling because I can!).

I've made a tear drop shape in Word, and I'm planning to applique this shape into the four corners of the scallop border.  I'm expecting to finish these borders and the next ring of bowties this week.  Exciting times!

My other excitement this week was going to a talk by Ruth Singer, a textile artist based in Leicester, at the Richmond and Kew Quilters.

Lovely thought provoking work.  I bought a card and several post cards of her work to add to my pinboard.

Happy sewing everyone!