Sunday, March 15, 2015

Just need some slow stitches!

I finished the patriotic chevron quilt that I have been working on the last week or two and have it sandwiched and pin basted ready for some machine quilting.  Then I wondered about having something to do in the evenings as I unwind from the day.    Oh yes, that back burner TATW!  I have about a dozen more squares to add to finish row 17.  So, I cut up enough 2 inch squares for four more rows.  




Last year, I won some George Washington fabric from  Julierose. I thought it would be neat to do a tribute quilt to our first president. I could incorporate an appliqued eagle block that I have been wanting to do for close to a year.  This quilt has been rolling around in my head for at least six months.  I have been struggling with how I will put them all together in one quilt.  Then I saw a post on FB that Bonnie Hunter shared with a multi-sized block layout.  That was it!  That was the answer to my prayers.  I just need to start the process of making the parts.  Part of my plan was to incorporate some embroidered blocks.  So between hand piecing and embroidery I have plenty of slow stitching to enjoy today. I am linking up with Kathy today who has a great post about relaxing slow stitches.   I am so glad my stress over how to approach my Tribute to George quilt is over, and now the relaxing process of stitching can begin!



30 comments:

  1. Will be eager to see how you put George W. together; sounds neat! I love your TATW--this one looks like Easter Eggs; and your cherries are apropos ...just make sure GW doesn't eat them all on you LOL
    hugs, Julierose

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    1. It should be fun and my hope is that is will be somewhere between a sampler and a crazy quilt. He promised me he would behave if I made the quilt all about him, sure hope he wasn't lying!

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  2. TATW is looking good. How big will it be? George sounds like a fun quilt. I like quilts with multisized blocks. And, hey...I think that might the same (or similar) cherry motif I was going to stitch on a dishtowel since I love cherries and was planning something small to work on next Saturday while I'm in the car on a day trip.

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    1. At first I was going for 25 rounds, But this is a practice piece and my goal was to use up the uglies so we shall see. Did you get your motif from Q is for Quilter's blog. When I saw the cherries I knew I had to add it to the GW quilt. It will be perfect on a kitchen towel.

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  3. Your trip -around -the-world is looking beautiful - very vibrant !

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    1. It is my learn to hand piece project just using fabrics I have that never seem to find their way into a quilt. It is pleasantly surprising me!

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  4. Your TATW quilt is very pretty. I really like your embroidery also. I like the idea of the GW quilt.

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    1. He was a great person from what I have been reading so I thought it would be fun do a themed quilt of our first president.

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  5. TATW is looking great - love the sunny yellows that make everything pop. So glad you found the solution for your quilt... that is the great thing about blog land - sharing ideas. Must go tuck the boy into bed so I can get to my slow stitching.

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    1. I agree so many ideas that can spark are minds and help us come up with a solution. I have two quilts I am designing as I go. I am trying to add techniques or elements of quilts that I have wanted to do or try and hopefully satisfy my thirst. They will definitely be unique.

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  6. Your trip quilt is growing! Keep sewing. It is coming along nicely!

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    1. Each row gets longer and longer but I also love seeing how the next fabric changes the look of the quilt. A great way to practice my hand piecing!

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  7. The embroidered cherries will go well with George.

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    1. Thanks Karen! I am having fun deciding what to include and it will be fun to see it evolve

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  8. I saw that you were thinking about an appliqued eagle for your George quilt and thought you might be interested in the Quilt Like An Eagle QAL: http://eaglequilts.blogspot.com/. Our original plan was to have an eagle quilt show & tell on July, 4, 2015 - but now I think it will be more of an ongoing project. Your George quilt sounds like a neat idea!

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    1. Thanks! Your Quilt Like an Eagle QAL is what gave me the idea to start my GW quilt. Glad to hear it will be ongoing. I just work so slowly too many projects need my attention I guess.

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  9. The trip is getting longer :)

    It will be fun to watch your embroidery and George project :)

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    1. Yes it is growing! So much fun! I am having fun as I decide what I want to add to my GW quilt.

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  10. Congrats on having your chevron quilt all ready for the machine... Yippee that you spent Sunday with hand work! I love your TATW as it is growing.. looks awesome! Love your embroidery and looking forward to seeing this GW Quilt come together in the future... I saw and saved that same outline! lol Kathi

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    1. Thanks Kathi! I started the machine quilting yesterday and after about 24 inches of stitching decided It was not any fun and I knew my body would be aching. So it came out from under the foot and the stitches removed and I decided to big stitch it. So much happier this am! I guess I will save my machine quilting for small projects!

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  11. I love your cherries Carla! It's great to have a choice of projects to work on as the mood takes you, I find. I love your trip around the world too - I've got one of those on my to do list. Must finish my hexie quilt first though… ummm, yes, famous last words!

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    1. Oh I agree it is nice to have a variety going and with all the hand work I do much better for the hands. When i saw the cherries motif I just had to save it for my GW quilt!

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  12. I love your TATW ... like Deb said, that yellow really makes the quilt!

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    1. I got the yellow from some fabric my mom had. Pretty sure it is from the 70's I am learning that fretting over color is such a waste of time. The unexpected is sometimes what really makes a quilt wonderful!

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  13. I can't wait to see how your presidential quilt will all come together--happy stitching!

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    1. You and me both! The ideas keep coming so I am sure it will be easy to have enough to fill a quilt! Sure is a lot of fun!

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  14. Always fun to see your TATW progress. It's a really great quilt! Love the idea of a Tribute to George quilt.:)

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    1. Thanks Audrey! I love that I have come to the point in my quilting that I am more comfortable with be more creative. It is so much more fun!

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  15. I love TATW quilts. You are doing a great job with color placement. I find it easier at times to do hand stitching. I feel more in control than sewing on a machine. The sewing machine can be faster; but I guess it is what makes one happy. I am okay with a slow stitching project.

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    1. So nice to find fellow bloggers that enjoy the process. I agree this hand piecing is a bit addicting like hand quilting!

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