I started the hand quilting on Stars Stars and More Stars on January 6th! The first two weeks of quilting I finished 16 stars each week. This week I got a few more done with 19 stars completed. That brings me to 51 of 95 whole stars completed and there will be 10 half stars to do also. Looks like I will be able to complete this one before it gets too warm to be under a quilt with wool batting. Anyway, that's the goal!
I finally pulled out a basket to keep all my hand quilting supplies together. Since I quilt on a hoop, I tend to move around the house when I quilt. It is so easy to lose my thimble or aunt becky. Do you have a designated hand quilting area. I tend to quilt on the sofa or in my sewing room most of the time. Sometimes I set up in the corner of my kitchen.
This basket will also work for my hand piecing. I joined in on the Hand Pieced A quilt a long and finished my first block. I am looking forward to block number 2. I really like the accuracy and the way you can deal with pressing the seams after stitching since you don't stitch the seams down. Learning to hand piece has made me a better machine piecer too. Stars Stars and More Stars is a machine pieced quilt, but I used a pencil to mark the seam lines and sewed to the dot to accomplish the Y seams. I feel you get a better understanding how geometric pieces can fit together and hand piecing them really makes it so doable. Afterall, quilting has always been a fun craft for me. In the beginning I loved a new challenge but now I prefer to just enjoy the stitching whether it be piecing or quilting. It doesn't get better than that!
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| Not the greatest photo but the sun isn't out yet this am |
I finally pulled out a basket to keep all my hand quilting supplies together. Since I quilt on a hoop, I tend to move around the house when I quilt. It is so easy to lose my thimble or aunt becky. Do you have a designated hand quilting area. I tend to quilt on the sofa or in my sewing room most of the time. Sometimes I set up in the corner of my kitchen.
This basket will also work for my hand piecing. I joined in on the Hand Pieced A quilt a long and finished my first block. I am looking forward to block number 2. I really like the accuracy and the way you can deal with pressing the seams after stitching since you don't stitch the seams down. Learning to hand piece has made me a better machine piecer too. Stars Stars and More Stars is a machine pieced quilt, but I used a pencil to mark the seam lines and sewed to the dot to accomplish the Y seams. I feel you get a better understanding how geometric pieces can fit together and hand piecing them really makes it so doable. Afterall, quilting has always been a fun craft for me. In the beginning I loved a new challenge but now I prefer to just enjoy the stitching whether it be piecing or quilting. It doesn't get better than that!
sounds like you are enjoying hand piecing! I have always loved doing that. Of course you know I have a designated hand quilting spot and need no basket but I do have the little tray attached to my quilting frame for supplies. When I hand sew i the living room I tend to stick all my bits in a pottery bowl to keep near by
ReplyDeleteYes I have seen your little tray. I used to quilt at a floor quilt and see where that would be very handy.
DeleteI like wool batting for hand quilting too, the needle stitches so smooth and easily. I had thought about joining in the HQAL but decided not to. I have my quilt to work on and Lucy keeps looking at me and trying to make me feel guilty. Happy Stitching!
ReplyDeleteI use wool for quilts when I can but I also love Hobbs poly down. The wool still wins when it comes to keeping it's loft. I have a king size quilt with cotton batting that is so heavy. It takes forever in the dryer too
DeleteLove your star quilt! Enjoy your beautiful hand stitching blocks! :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks! I love star quilts and am so happy I overcame my fear of Y seams
DeleteYour quilt is beautiful! I love the colors and the big stitching. I've never used big stitches on my quilts (well, maybe unintentionally, :) but would like to try it someday.
ReplyDeleteBig stitching takes some practice but really is great for pieced quilts. This one is turning out so soft and cozy, I can't wait to use it in the evenings while watching a movie.
DeleteI love your basket with the organization in it... I hand quilt in 1 main area and 2 minor areas... i have stuff in each area for whatever that areas purpose is :) I move things around I haven't duplicated yet but try to duplicate items when possible so I don't get into a project to find out I have to stop to find an item I need like a thimble or hemostats or something. Good idea to come up with a moveable item like a basket... I love glass bowls too.. I have one by each of my sewing machines for little gadgets each one needs :) I may have to borrow some of your shared ideas!
ReplyDeleteYou are doing great work on your quilting ... I sometimes wish I could choose a simple yet stunning pattern like your stars... I might finish more hand projects if I chose my patterns more carefully at the beginning! lol I am certainly thinking that about my star quilt now!!! Enjoy your hand piecing... I am watching you and others I follow enviously as I promised not to start new projects and hand piecing and arthritis just don't go together for me anymore... thanks for sharing though! Kathi
Thanks Kathi. I feel the same way you do it takes a lot of thought before I start a new project. I know i definitely will be doing smaller projects in the future
DeleteSo glad you are enjoying the hand piecing. I have a couple of 'baskets' with things - a zippered bag with crochet and knitting - so the kitties don't get in it and one by my recliner. A set of 2 baggies in the console of the car with needles, pins, scissors and some inklingo parts for lemoyne stars and some hexagons to baste.
ReplyDeleteYes it does help! I still store my applique needles in the needle book you made me. I have another one I had made for my quilting between if they are still viable for the next project.
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