Last few weeks I've been looking for a handwork project I could do while watching a show with my kids, or waiting in a carpool lane. Knitting is my usual go to project when sewing machine is not an option, but this time I was ready for some change.
I thought about cross stitch for like a second but I knew right away it wouldn't do as I lack patience and get too frustrated with all the mistakes I tend to make when working on a cross stitch project. I then pulled out my epp (english paper piecing) supplies and even made a few hexies. I used to do a lot of epp on the go, this time though I didn't feel the love :( I mean, I liked the block I made, I just didn't see myself making enough of them to turn them into something useful.
And then, about a week ago, I kind of gave up on my search, cast on a new pair of socks and settled in to watch some new classes on Creativebug. I came across Tara Faughnan's Double Wedding Ring Quilt class and even though I had no plan to be making a DWR quilt at that moment, I thought it would be fun to watch it as I really, really like Tara's work and her teaching style. And, to my utter surprise, Tara was teaching how to hand piece this giant of a quilt!!! To say I was stunned would totally be an understatment because I just couldn't understand why someone would choose to hand piece a quilt when even the cheapest sewing machine could do the job way quicker and more efficiently.
The more I watched though, the more intrigued I got and by the time I finished watching the class I was ready to give hand piecing a go. I tried piecing a few curves, squares, as well as HSTs but in the end I decided a log cabin block might be the easiest one for a hand piecing beginner like me. Plus, log cabin block is my all time most favorite block ever!
Oh-my-goodness!!! You guys, I'm totally hooked.
I'm going to be using mostly solids for my blocks as I'm hoping to end up with something similar to this vintage quilt I found on Pinterest.
So tell me. Do you have any on the go projects you like to work on? Any favorites? I'd love to know.
Thanks for stopping by friends, and for reading. Your support and encouragement means more than you can imagine :)
Svetlana
So tell me. Do you have any on the go projects you like to work on? Any favorites? I'd love to know.
Thanks for stopping by friends, and for reading. Your support and encouragement means more than you can imagine :)
Svetlana
I love the blocks and colors! My go to for travel crafting has become needle turn applique. I am working on an Ebb quilt right now but I love the idea of doing individual applique blocks and then piecing them together later.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great start. Looks beautiful so far.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! As you might have seen, I've begun hand-piecing a Trip Around the World that I started at QuiltCon. Not sure how large I go, but so far I'm enjoying it.
ReplyDeleteDare I tell you that my first two quilts were entirely hand-piece? One was a 9-patch sampler (about 36" square), but the other was BIG - queen size? I should look and see how big....it was a medallion quilt.
I really enjoy hand piecing. This quilt is going to be so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI have a pair of sock I keep in my bag to keep me busy when I have to wait.
ReplyDeleteAs I understand it, the main advantage to hand piecing (besides not requiring a sewing machine!) is that you can more easily manipulate the fabric to match. This means it is particularly suited to complicated designs or where piecing by machine is less precise. In the case of log cabin--a straight forward design where seam matching isn't a problem--hand piecing may be wasted. You may have gotten more bang for your buck with a pattern like the Double Wedding Ring. Just a thought.
ReplyDeleteCan’t wait to see your finish project!
ReplyDeleteHandpiecing is so relaxing and it's surprising how much you can accomplish in short periods of time. Looking forward to seeing more blocks!
ReplyDeleteLove your log cabin blocks...it's going to be a beautiful quilt!
ReplyDeleteThe log blocks are beautiful. I have a scarf I am reknitting and take it whenever I have wait time. I had knitted the scarf and didn't like the width or length so after wearing it last winter I tore it apart and am reknitting it. The yarn was expensive so I wasn't going to waste it.
ReplyDeleteYour blocks are lovely and the resulting quilt will be such an accomplishment! My portable hand project for the past 15 months has been my needleturn appliqué "squircle a day" project.
ReplyDeleteYour colors are AMAZING! i am sure that will keep yoh motivated, to keep up with each new color combo!
ReplyDeleteI'm doing EPP like yours and am loving it! (You can send me your rejects!!!:)) Your hand piecing is sheer beauty! Like I've said before: everything you do is gold!
ReplyDeleteI am a hexie nut . . . I love them. Your fabric choices are fantastic.
ReplyDeleteHappy Quilting.
Connie :)
Those log cabin block are absolutely beautiful! I tried a couple of hand piecing in the past and I love that it's neater than the machine.
ReplyDeleteAs someone who has quilted for about 17 years now and NEVER even turned on a sewing machine, much less made a quilt with one, I am smiling to see you have found hand piecing to be so enjoyable. I learned from a very dear older lady....she was Almost 80 when she taught me....we just lost her in Jan at 95 years old..... an amazing lady and I am thankful to have learned from her as I have greatly enjoyed every stitch I've made Over rhe years.... my husband thinks like you did, he can't understand why I don't just use a machine....and has MANY times offered to buy me one...but I like the hand sewing and the satisfaction of putting that last stitch in and being able to look and say...I made that.....every single stitch....by hand. My only caveat is I LOVE making the tops....I have made so many more tops than completed quilts. In truth, I've only completed a handful or so, but made so many more tops. I start one, finish the top....consider doing the rest and usually end up starting a new top....lol. I love your blog...your blocks are beautiful and can't wait to see it finished....and hope you continue to enjoy hand piecing....
ReplyDeleteIsn't Creativebug great? I have learned some much from them. I'm going to go and check out Tara Faughnan's class.
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ReplyDelete