What does one do after a finishing a quilt? Yes, Christmas Journey is now a quilt! I posted the final pictures here. Well, like most quilters I have several projects that need my attention. I made a few more hexie flowers this week. They will be added to the stack waiting until the final layout it decided upon.
Today, I will spend my spare moments putting in a few more big stitches in my thousand pyramid quilt. I am pleased with the way the quilting design is working with the patchwork. It has made me rethink what I will do in the border. I see a large quadruple cable winning the battle of ideas. Do you make changes when you are working on a quilt? I am finding that the more quilts I make the more that happens. How about you?
ha ha I make changes yes. I generally change the original pattern by making mistakes ! :)
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile you have me all inspired with your red and green quilt and I might take the plunge. I see that Biggs quilt everywhere I go lately and I think I am going to try it. I DID email them to see what size the blocks are, because if they are very small and all of the pieces are super tiny I don't know if I can do that. But since they said 1 block every 2 months, I think that is attainable. I would not go crazy and order or buy all of that background fabric right away...I think just a bit at a time might work.
Deb, my guess they are between 14-16 inch blocks. The quilt finishes at 100x100. I am going to download the patterns and see what the future holds. Looking forward to your slow stitches if you decided to try this one. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI agree Donna, I love when an idea I see in my head works out. I think the perle cotton big stitching helps out too! Thanks for stopping by and Merry Christmas
ReplyDeleteThe more quilts I make the more I want to do, especially hand quilting. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could hand quilt as fast as machine quilting!!! I too am working part time on a hexie quilt with '30's fabric.
ReplyDeleteIt has taken me some years, but I am a believer that more is better when it comes to hand quilting. I try not to concentrate on the number of quilts rather the final product that will be pleasing to me. I am so glad I discovered big stitching. It has been a life saver for those pieced quilts, and helps to get them done a little faster. I have a whole cloth that I want to start in 2015. Hexies are great for travel and when we are in between projects aren't they? Merry Christmas
DeleteYour quilting looks wonderful! I have seen the Biggs quilt too and plan to download the patterns as well.
ReplyDeleteEllen, It is a beautiful quilt. I was sorry when I didn't download Beyond the Cherry Tree. Merry Christmas!
DeleteIt is easy to make changes along the way, especially when hand quilting. So much time to ponder the possibilities. Love the effect of the circles on top op the triangles.
ReplyDeleteI agree Angela! I have been wanting to use the pumpkin seed/ tea cup design for quite a while, so I am glad that I am happy with the results here. Merry Christmas!
DeleteLove your hexies, and especially your thousand triangle quilt! That is just beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThank you Sharon! I started collecting fabrics in 2011 for this quilt. I just wanted a quilt that showcased fabrics I liked. Thanks for stopping by and Merry Christmas!
DeleteCarla...Your pyramid is going to be awesome. I love how you are quilting circles on top of the triangles. It makes for such interesting movement. This is my first visit to this meme, and it is full of such beautiful projects. Your hexie flowers on top of that beautiful old tiny crochet are so very pretty. Merry Christmas to you and your family. genie
ReplyDeleteThank you Genie! I used to crochet doilies and that is the one tablecloth I made. I think it kept me sane when my children were young. Thank you for stopping by and your kind words. Merry Christmas!
DeleteBig stitches??? Those don't look big to me!! When I make quilts the whole process is one change after another. I just get an idea in my head and go from there.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Cathy. You are so lucky to be so creative! I consider 4-5 stitches per in big stitching. It is difficult to make them larger when you spent years trying to get them smaller. But, I do love the change of pace.
DeleteI love the circles on your quilt! I'm just curious what you used to mark them - a cup, plate or a template? Your hexie flowers are very cute.... I hope to start something hexie in the new year. They are a great bring with you project and I seem to have a lot of car time with the kids.
ReplyDeleteDeb, I did a post earlier this December on marking this very quilt. It is titled Marking Pyramid Quilt. You should be able to find it under Bog Archive. I used a template but was informed by another quilter that this pattern is often called teacups cause ladies would use saucers or tea cups to mark their quilts. The plus to using this motif is it's shape the same as the hoop so no having to move the hoop to finish the motif. Hexies would be great to do while waiting for kids. I have a little plastic box that I keep all my supplies and just take it with me when we travel or to appointments. There are so many things you can do with them.
DeleteI frequently make changes ... which is a huge reason why I mark as I go. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI love your hexies and your triangles! And the fabrics ... simply gorgeous!
I need to give big stitching a try ... I love the slow but steady process of hand quilting, but I have so many quilts that I want to make ... more than I'll ever have time to get to in my lifetime. No machine quilting for me, so maybe big stitching is a good compromise. ;-)
Kathy, I feel the same way about quilting, no machine quilting talent here. I tried big stitching last spring on a quilt that I gifted to my sister. I was so pleased with the results I have decided to big stitch a few pieced tops I had waiting in my sewing closet. I use the Fons an Porter utility quilting needles that I purchase at JoAnn's. They work well, and I like using a #16 perle cotton. Most use #8 or 12#, but I find them a little hard to pull thru the fabric. Thanks for stopping by and Merry Christmas!
DeleteOh yes, plans change all the way along the process when you're open to it. Love the big stitch quilting!
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up to Slow Stitching!
Change is better than frustration! I am happy to be quilting on a more relaxed quilt over the holidays. Merry Christmas
DeleteMy work often evolves as I go, I'm always thinking and planning and changing...one reason why I need more than one project on the go at once...while one is resting while I ponder on it, I can work on another (or another!).
ReplyDeleteI agree Raewyn, sometimes it takes time to decide. I also like to have different techniques going, so I don't get bored. Merry Christmas
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