One of the challenges of finishing a quilt is figuring out where to photograph the thing. So one night last week my husband and I went over to University of California-Riverside (UCR) to find some places that would set off the two quilts I was toting around.
I’d originally thought about the Botannic Gardens, with all their lush greenery and wooden benches; I’ve snapped photos in this place before, and Field Flowers, with its scalloped edges is so old-fashioned looking I wanted to head there. It was closed. As we walking back to the car to leave, I spotted this old greenhouse. UCR is noted for its agricultural emphasis, as we breed a lot of the oranges you are eating now (Cuties, anyone?). This greenhouse seemed the perfect place, for my husband, with three broken ribs, to be able to hold up the quilt. (By the way, he has a Qh.D: a doctorate in Quilt Holding.)
I also recruited two bystanders from the museum in Berlin to help me show off Field Flowers. Although their expressions are a little wooden, they held it in place without moving, so I was able to get a good photograph.
The center of this quilt was quilted by my regular quilter, Cathy of CJ Designs. She left the basting in the borders and then turned it over to me to finish up those scalloped edges. Since the pattern is by Sherri McConnell of A Quilting Life, I knew she’d have good ideas of how to finish the quilt, so I pretty much mimicked what her quilter did. More information about the pattern can be found on *this post.*
I followed Sherri’s directions for cutting bias binding, but used a 20-inch square as I’d added more hexies to my quilt. I needn’t have, as her directions would have provided enough length.
The single fold binding went smoothly around each curve, and didn’t add too much bulk.
Earlier that day, we’d gone over to Gless Ranch, a local purveyor of oranges, as they had old farm equipment around their property, and lots of (newly trimmed) orange trees:
When we got home, I noticed it had gotten dirty from traipsing around, so threw it in a cool-water wash with a couple of color catchers (first invented in the UK, by the way), and dried it until almost dry on a low heat. Like all other quilters everywhere, I love how the washed quilt looks (although I also like unwashed quilts). Lay flat to dry, so there is no transferring of ink to other damp spots. (As me how I know this.)
Happy Photographing!
OccasionalPiece--Quilt! 
Your Berliners were very obliging and stoic in their duties! It is such a pretty quilt Elizabeth, with its scalloped border, blue bind and pinwheel backing fabric! This will surely become a family heirloom.
Stunning quilt, the flowers, scalloped, blue binding all perfect.
So beautiful. If you ever tire of it I could provide a loving home
That pattern is an absolute favorite of mine and your rendition is glorious ! I don’t think I would’ve ever thought of that blue binding, but it really sets it off! You are really on fire!
That is beautiful, Elizabeth. Do you have a special bed for it? The quilting on it looks fantastic too.
I love the mix of white prints, setting off the flowers. And if you ever want an old barn or truck in the background, you can drive over here to Texas and photograph your quilts at my house.🙂
Beautiful quilt. You captured some great photos but that last one with you peeking over the top is the best. Sometimes I think it’s really nice to to include ourselves in the photos we take. We are the makers after all and yet rarely include ourselves when we document our work. I need to remember about that the next time I’m out taking pics.
I love your photo sessions. So much fun to read about, and I loved seeing you in one of the pictures, too. Beautiful quilt. It is now on my to-do list.
A lovely old-fashioned bouquet of a quilt. It was fun to see all the photo possibilities. My favorite was you in the field of ferns.
It is a gorgeous quilt and you got some stunning photos! I am impressed with how well your husband supports your quilting hobby.
I love these settings–not as much as I love the quilt, but almost!
Lovely finish. I especially like the Berliners holding the quilt. 🙂
What a sweet fresh colorful quilt, and the scalloped edge is so special.
This is one of my favorites of your quilts. I love everything about it and am tempted to start some blocks. The scalloped border is lovely. I agree with what Anne said about including ourselves in pictures as makers.
Oh wow, this is a gorgeous quilt. The scalloped border and blue binding beautifully set off these wonderful colors of hexies on the white background. The settings you used to showcase them are lovely too! I would gladly recruit those quilt holders for any of my quilts!
Very pretty. Thanks for posting.
One of the prettiest quilts I’ve seen in a long time! (and I’m looking every day) I have this pattern and now I truly need to make it. You have inspired me!!!
The scalloped edges are perfect–I’m glad they weren’t too complicated!
what a lovely quilts and photo shoot! the curved edges ! beautifully finished
You do such a good job of quilt photography, though I have to remind myself that you have a quilt-holding assistant. I do not. Three broken ribs though? Now that’s a macho quilt-holding man! Your pictures are wonderful, and I particularly like the wooden expressions on those kneeling quilt-holders. The greenhouse picture is the best though. You make beautiful quilts, Elizabeth!
Beautiful! I love the scaloped edge also. Congrats to hubby for receiving his doctorate in Quilt Holding. May need to have hubby enrol
A side note to anyone who has had ink problems – alcohol or hair spray with an old towel or one which can be bleached if you intend to keep it. Spray or drench towel and rub off ink. Usually works. I have also used it to remove permanernt marker but it takes some time and elbow grease.