So, this was me yesterday afternoon. As you can see, I don't use any hoops or frames when I hand quilt. I tried them but it just does not work for me. What I do is put my left hand under the quilt and grab it so it's steady and does not shift around and then gather a couple of stitches on my needle as I go. I finally got used to using a thimble - finger tips full of tiny holes from the needle are very painful and not attractive at all - so I finally gave in. I use this thimble.
Right now I'm working on outlining each solid square using 2 strands of matching light blue embroidery thread. I'd like to add some more quilting in the bigger squares to make it more fun and interesting. Any ideas on what could work? I'd love to hear.
I also made my August blocks for do. Good Stitches bee over the weekend. We were to make 2 scrappy blocks using this tutorial. I loved using some of my very favorite tiny scraps and I'm really glad they are finished. Somehow, these blocks took forever. The squares were small and many of them, and the fact that I sewed the corner squares upside down at first did not help. I do love how they turned out, though. I think this is a perfect block for a bee since making 2 was totally doable, making enough blocks for the whole quilt would probably kill me.
What fun projects have you been working on lately?
I just finished a hand quilting project, and, like you, I absolutely loved doing it! I didn't use a hoop either, and just wrapped my finger tips in bandaids!
ReplyDeleteThis is looking so lovely, Svetlana. I love seeing the fabrics up close. Right now I'm in the middle of a few different projects, the largest of which is a queen sized quilt for my daughter's new bed.
ReplyDeleteThose blocks are so beautiful, you're so great at putting colours together :) I'm working on a quilt for a baby due in about 3 weeks, starting some new quilts for twins due in Oct tonight with the help of some friends and I'm meant to be working on a block! I never used to have more than one project on the go at a time...
ReplyDeleteI love your quilting! I like the idea of doing concentric circles in your large square. Not too many, maybe just two to emphasize it. Can't wait to see it finished!
ReplyDeleteI love your quilting! I like the idea of doing concentric circles in your large square. Not too many, maybe just two to emphasize it. Can't wait to see it finished!
ReplyDeleteLovely quilting. I don't have the patience to hand quilt!
ReplyDeleteKaty
I really enjoy hand quilting too, but haven't had time to do any lately. I use the same leather thimble. The hand quilting is going to be beautiful and perfect for this quilt. Sorry I have no idea what you could do in the center of the blocks, maybe choose your favourite simple shape.
ReplyDeleteThe star blocks are very pretty, I laughed at your comment about the thought of making a whole quilt of them.
Oh I'm with you on the instant gratification, but hand work can be rather soothing at times :o)
ReplyDeleteI quilt just like you! I hold my quilts in my lap, with my left hand under & I use the exact thimble! I could never do the hoop thing and could never get my stitches teeny tiny and I just went my own way and have loved it ever since. Funny about the clover coin thimbles...they are a little pricey (I always use my 40% coupon from Jo-Ann)...but, my dogs love them! If they find one, they chew them up and so I am always making sure they are out of their reach. I have not tried quilting with embroidery floss, only quilt thread-will try that next. I would do another square or two (echo) in your big squares, or pick a motif from one of the fun fabrics from your quilt! Best, Lori
ReplyDeletei love hand quilting too. i love the texture its gives. alsothanks for the tip on the thimble too!! ive been in search for one, as yes, little holes in fingers is not fun!! gorgeous stars by the way :) cheers
ReplyDeleteoh meant to say also, i too hold my quilt the way you do. much more control for me :)
ReplyDeleteI love those star blocks! Gorgeous colour and design.
ReplyDeleteI have such admiration for your patience. Hand quilting is something I've been wanting to try for a long while now..... feeling inspired! Beautiful work!
ReplyDeleteI have found I am getting more patience as I do more hand work. Yours is lovely
ReplyDeleteIt's beautiful. Handwork can be very gratifying!
ReplyDeleteCarol
Love those blocks! And I've never done handstitching, although I might for a baby quilt project I have in mind...
ReplyDeleteSo glad you are enjoying the hand quilting! I love it too....but right now I have way too many projects that are in various stages of being hand quilted. I just need to get it done!
ReplyDeleteI hand quilt the same way!! It is very enjoyable, isn't it!? Love your bee blocks!!
ReplyDeleteSame way I quilt too but no thimble:) I love your hand stitches!
ReplyDeleteNice hand quilting and quilt blocks! I'd like to try quilting with perle cotton!
ReplyDeleteLove the hand stitching, and the colors of your stars are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI just love those star blocks. Well, I always love anything you make, that's for sure! Thanks for linking up.
ReplyDeleteLove those scrappy stars! And awesome that you are enjoying hand quilting. That's all I used to do, but now I haven't done it for soooo long! ;-/
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