Sunday, December 8, 2013

Pumpkin seed applique!

I know that some of you have been waiting to see my red and green quilt, Christmas Journey in its finished state.  Well, that didn't happen this week. I live 40 miles away from the nearest fabric store.  I didn't have any fabric in my stash that I felt would work for the binding. A trip to Texas, a wintery ice storm, and everyday life distractions and I  decided Friday just to order it on line, so I am still waiting for it to arrive.  I did add a bit of trapunto to the quilt on Friday so here is a sneak peak at that.


Today is my husband's birthday, so we will head out for a nice lunch.  but I will find some time to put in some slow stitches on my pumpkin seed quilt.  This quilt is actually four large blocks, which is a bit different from most quilts. I found the easiest way to applique these large string pieces is to use a glue stick and turn the quarter inch seam allowance by hand and press with an iron.


 Once all the seam allowances are turned under, I pin it to the top and applique away. It is hard to needleturn something that has all those seams, and the preturning worked out well on my other string quilt, Amish Ice Cream Social. Hope you are staying warm and getting in some stitches. I will be taking some breaks and heading over to Kathy's blog and enjoy the progress of other slow stitchers.

After I add two more seeds to this large block, I will have one more block to make to complete this top.  Of course quilting ideas have already been thought about!

23 comments:

  1. We got some ice and a wee bit of snow up here ( western Pa ) but nothing like they predicted and certainly not as bad as the south. These vibrant colors really pop...how pretty! :)

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    1. I am so glad we didn't get very much, but north of us got hit pretty hard. I am at the point in life, why take a chance when there is no need. I like the colors too, This is my favorite kind of quilt, scrappy and a lot of open spaces for quilting. It also takes a cheddar quilt off my list.

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  2. Great job on the pumpkin seed quilt! I want to make one & your hints about the glue helped me know what worked for you for the applique. Thanks for sharing the tip.
    Mona YR, SE TX

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    1. Thanks Mona and thanks for stopping by. I just used a elmers washable glue stick!

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  3. I cannot wait to see how that pumpkin seed quilt turns out ... that pattern is new to me.

    I would like to add some trapunto to a quilt, but I suspect it's going to be a while before I make a quilt with the requisite white space ... I've got 3 in various stages of completion (storm at sea and 2 hexies) and then I need to work on a couple of quilts for my grandsons and one for my daughter. ;-)

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    1. Thanks Kathy, I hope to be quilting it by spring time. I know what you mean about playing catch up. It makes me think twice about starting a new project The only new thing that I haven't started is a whole cloth and I want to start from scratch not buy a preprinted top.

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  4. This is another great project you are working on! Did you paper piece the arcs? Love how scrappy they are! Enjoy your slow stitching today and thanks for linking up!

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    1. Kathy, The pattern is from Small Pieces, Spectacular Quilts by Elizabet Kinch and Biz Storms. The arcs are paper pieced the same process I used on Amish Ice Cream Social. I love the freedom of not matching points cause I get bored with doing that easily and these quilt sparkle, and have enough open space that I can showcase hand quilting. I love using the solids as they make hand quiltng worth while. I won this book several years back and I would love to make every quilt in it!

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  5. Oh my goodness - I can't wait to see more of your pumpkin seed quilt. Great tip about using the glue stick on the arcs.

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    1. Using a glue stick really works well. I use a piece of foil on my ironing surface and then just press it with the iron to get things to stick quickly. I don't worry to much about perfection, it seems to all work out in the end.

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  6. Ordering fabric sounds like a great plan with the weather you are having. Glad you found something else to work on while you wait.

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    1. I just wish I had planned better. But, it all worked out, and the quilt will be finished in no time. My mom was a stickler about finishing one thing before you start another, but I like to have two or three things going, so there is always something to work on.

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  7. Yes it will be a dream to quilt! I have always loved quilts where the quilting is nicely balanced with the top. I already know what I want to do, of course feathers will be involved and definitely some trapunto, its just so much fun!

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  8. You were smart to order your binding fabric online and avoid venturing out in this terrible storm. Your pumpkin seeds are gorgeous.

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    1. I agree some things are not worth the risk. But it is hard waiting for it to arrive. Thanks for stopping by today

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  9. I just love seeing the progress on your pumpkin seed quilt! Lovely.:)

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    1. I really like the centennial cheddar solid that I am using on the background. I love this type of quilt with all the scraps against the solid, it just seems to sparkle. Thanks for stopping by!

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  10. Your trapunto looks great... hope your binding comes in soon... love our pumpkin seed pieces... all the time you are putting in them is sooo worth it! Thanks for posting what you are up to... it is inspiring for me :) Kathi

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    1. I hope it comes in too, I don't like moving on, without finishing when I get this close to finishing. But I a have plenty of things to work on, so it's ok.

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  11. Beautiful trapunto! Great tip about the use of the glue stick and. The pumpkin Seed quilt will be perfect with the cheddar fabric. Here in Brazil we are near Summer time and I had a great Slow Stitching Sunday. Have a great and produtive week. Hugs

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    1. I have been very motivated lately also. I love trapunto, a little here and a a little there really helps to add a little sparkle to a quilt.

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  12. Oh, I LOVE that Pumpkin Seed. It's so unusual. I see in the comments where you found the pattern. Sounds like a good book. You may see a Pumpkin Seed from me some day!

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    1. I seemed to be a bit obsessed with pumpkins eeds at the moment. I am also quilting my pyramid quilt with that design also. I figure you can't go wrong with a good thing. I say go for it Cathy!

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