Sunday, February 22, 2015

Big Stitching

If you follow my blog you know that I completed Baltimore Garden.   It will get hung in the closet till later this year when I will bring it out to begin the hand quilting process.  If you missed the reveal post you can see it here.  So what's up next?  I sandwiched my RSC2014 pickle dish quilt and started to big stitch it. I am using #8 perle cotton not my favorite, but I think looks really nice on this quilt.



Yesterday I started thinking about a project that I have had rolling around in my head since last summer. I made a compass block and some cogwheel blocks last summer  and hope to bring them together in a quilt that I am designing.  A few more applique stitches in this reverse applique block and my center medallion will be be complete. I love working on several projects at once and dreaming about other quilts I want to make keeps me going.  I will be linking up with Slow Stitching Sunday to see what Kathy and other slow stitchers are doing? Why don't you join us?



33 comments:

  1. I am also a multi-tasker with my quilting projects! Your big stitches are perfect for your pickle dish quilt.

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    1. Thanks! I am struggling with making bigger stitches, so difficult after working so long to make smaller stitches. But I do love the look of big stitching on scrappy utility type quilts.

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  2. I love how the surrounding fabric complements that beautiful compass block.

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    1. This quilt is being born from using the last of some scraps from an old stash to make a compass and some cogwheel blocks. The background fabric is actually fabric from some curtains that hung in the dining room when we purchased this home. It was too pretty to discard! Using all the leftovers etc. lets me relax and try my hand at designing my own quilt with blocks that I wanted to try. So far I am having a lot of fun!

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  3. Oh Carla, you are not afraid of large-scale projects, bravo! Your Baltimore Garden quilt was a chef d'oeuvre and so is going to become your Pickle Dish quilt!

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    1. Thanks Christine! For me it is about the process and I enjoy the details and the challenge. No hurry here but eventually they get completed!

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  4. I love to see the big stitching with perle cotton. I've never tried it myself, but would very much like to.

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    1. It is wonderful on quilts with alot of prints and regular stitching gets lost. Goes quickly but I do have to work at making those larger stitches. I love the look also and it really speeds up the process.

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  5. Your Baltimore Garden is such a stunner. You have spend so much time in making of it, I understand why you would want to play with another quilt for a little while ;)
    The Compass block is amazing. Great work. Enjoy the slow stitching.

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    1. Thanks Chantel. The Compass block is paper pieced. Not really hard, just a bit time consuming. I have always wanted to try one. Thanks for stopping by.

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  6. Your Compass is impressive--I like those final tiny rays spreading out and around...so pretty..hugs, Julierose

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    1. I agree Julierose! It is perfect for a center medallion. It is really not that hard as I paper pieced it. Those that can piece, those that can't paper piece! LOL

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  7. You are not alone on having several projects going at once. Lovely quilting on your pickle dish.

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  8. You must have started that compass block before I found your blog as I don't recall seeing it before. It's amazing and I can't wait to see what you're going to do with it. I love your big stitching on your pickle dish quilt.

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    1. I can't wait to find out either. I am designing this as I go using borders and blocks that have always caught my eye. Time will tell!

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  9. I like to have several projects going on too. While I am hand quilting, I am planning, designing, and problem solving for other quilts. Enjoy your pickle dish!

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    1. I guess that is why we never run out of projects. It is a wonderful vicious circle!!

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  10. Your Baltimore Gardens turned out totally magnificent.. I concur! Love the compass block. I find my fingers get sore with Perle 8 cotton with the drag of the thread so I use hemostats.. others prefer the hedgehog style of needle puller..
    I love dreaming up future quilts as I work on current projects.. I have 3 current projects and enjoy that amount... if I took on another project right now I think something like my cross stitch would revert back to UFO land! lol Kathi

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  11. Wow--that compass is amazing! Your hand quilting on the pickle dish is looking great too--love the black on the colors!

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    1. I don't think you can go wrong with black and brights! Having fun stitching this one!

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  12. Oh, love the quilting on the pickle dishes. Adds great texture. That compass is beautiful. I can't wait to see what you do with it. Don't forget that TATW...... for when you need a change of pace. My 2 inch one will get some attention this week I think.

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    1. I need to set aside Friday to work on my TATW. But, there is no hurry to finish it. It is a great go to project when I am between other projects and I am not sure what to do next. It is becoming like that old friend you know you can always call on and they will be there.

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    2. That is exactly how I treat mine! Too funny.

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  13. Glad you finally got to the Pickle Dish. I think that perle #8 and big stitching is perfect for it. Love what you've done so far. I remember those cog wheels. I love those. I can't believe the perfect points on your compass. (Well, actually I can believe it considering who made it!). Looking forward to what you do with them.

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    1. Thanks Cathy! The compass is paper pieced so really not that difficult but it is lovely, and was fun to make. I am designing this as I go so it should be a fun journey!

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  14. I love your big stitching, I have not tried it but don't know if my hands would take pulling it through. It looks really good tho. And I love your Baltimore Garden, what an accomplishment!!!

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    1. I am using Hobbs Poly Down as the batting and it isn't too bad pulling it through I just have to fight making the stitches larger. Funny how you spend years trying to make them smaller and then it is hard to make them larger. Thanks for stopping by!

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  15. that big stitch looks terrific! Love the black thread

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  16. What a fabulous new beginning! And that big stitch is perfect for that particular quilt.:)

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