Pantone Meets Bias Tape

It's been interesting seeing all the Instagram posts using the #mightylucky hashtag throughout January. It seemed the minute the first Mighty Lucky Quilting Club email went out, folks were embracing Krista Fleckenstein's challenge: Shapes and Curves Using Bias Tape. 

Now bias tape applique is not something I had even considering attempting. I mean, there's plenty else I do try, and I can't honestly say I was even tempted before. But I was curious about those bias tape makers, and that plus the spirit of learning, I ordered a 1/2" one along with the 1/4" wonder tape Krista suggested.  And they sat for nearly the whole month, until this last weekend when I figured it was then or never.

For fabric, I decided to kill two birds with one stone, and I grabbed the Pantone solids I'd purchased to have on hand. According to Kate Spain, Moda's Bella Solids in Bubble Gum and Blue were a good match. 

Photo by Kate Spain; used by permission.

And comparing them to my Rose Quartz and Blue swatches, I think she was spot on.

For the background, I chose "The Big One on White" print from Carolyn Friedlander's Carkai, thinking the subtle design would be a good backdrop for the minimalist design I had planned.

I gotta tell you, the making of the bias tape was a breeze. For 1/2" tape, you cut 1" bias strips, and the only snag I had was even though I pressed the bias seams open as directed, pulling them through the bias tape maker closed them up. Not a crisis, but a bit fiddly. Unfortunately, I had issues implementing the curves in said design. I'm not sure if it was just me or what, but my tape didn't curve well, and I just didn't have the patience for it. Fact is, even when I decided to do sharp corners, I couldn't seem to miter them like Krista did. So I did what I knew, pressed well, and added bulk didn't seem to be an issue. Ok then.

So I got so far as getting my new design sewn on (pretty painless with that wonder tape by the way) and then had a dilemma: Is it 'ok' to quilt on top of bias tape applique? Consulting a friend, we agreed it must be, so I started in. An organic straight-line grid sounded fun, and I liked the idea that it could add hints of the elusive curves back into my little quilt. Mostly I used Aurifil 50wt #2024 (white), but also added just a few random lines of #2770 (very light delft), which is a really nice match for the Serenity.

My project measures 17" square, bound in more of that Serenity, and in a rush to a finish, I machine-stitched it down. I was feeling pleased to have tried something new, and anxious for it to be done.

So am I glad I tried it? Definitely? Will bias tape become a staple in my sewing repertoire? Hardly. But overall it was an enjoyable diversion, and I am especially glad to have used some of those Pantone colors - I've become quite fond of Serenity. And now I'm anxious to see what February's challenge might be!

Linking up with Finish It Up Friday!