It’s three weeks since I showed you the hand-stitching on my Down the Rabbit Hole quilt, I’m working on the deep applique rabbit borders and they do seem to be taking a long time! This is where I was three weeks ago…
Since then I’ve been stitching more stems and leaves on, these leaves seem to go on forever!! I haven’t got as much as I hoped stitched as I decided I really needed to concentrate on the quilt I’m making for a wedding which needs to be ready to gift by the end of February.
My plan is that once I’ve finished a side I will stitch it on to the main quilt and then do a final length of vine curling round to the leaping rabbit as my rabbit isn’t really jumping high enough to have flowers growing underneath it!
I took it with me to my Embroiderers Guild meeting which meant I had a good few hours stitching it…but still a long way to go! I’ve finished the first length and I’m about half way through the second length of vine. Once this side is stitched I have to repeat it all over again for the final side!!
It’s getting increasingly difficult to photograph this quilt as it gets bigger and bigger. To give you an idea of size these applique sides are now about 84″ long, two widths of fabric! I’m going to have a big push to get these leaves finished over the next three weeks, so we’ll see how I do…
This Hand Quilt Along is an opportunity for hand quilters and piecers to share and motivate one another. We post every three weeks, to show our progress and encourage one another. If you have a hand quilting project and would like to join our group contact Kathy at the link below.
Kathy, Lori, Kerry, Emma, Tracy, Deb, Connie, Deborah, Susan, Jessisca, Sherry, Nanette, Sassy, Edith, Sharon and Bella.
Linking up with Kathy’s Quilts (a different Kathy!) for Slow Stitching Sunday too. Follow the link for even more hand-stitching to inspire you!
thecraftycreek 
I love your Rabbits and flowers!❤️. I am a bit behind you so you are inspiring me as I go:)😊
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Thanks Tracy, at the moment the thought of having to do all the vines again for the other side is a bit daunting, just need to keep at it!
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I’ll take a deep breath and get ready then! Good thing we have this QAL to keep us motivated!
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Such a pretty quilt.
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Thanks Cathy
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The vines may be labour intensive, but they’re SO worth it, believe me! The overall effect is wonderful.
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Thanks Kate, I think I just need to get my head down and stitch them 🙂
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That’s always the problem, isn’t it? Actually winding yourself up to get started. Once you’re going it’ll be amazing how much you get done!
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I’ve never done applique–those borders would terrify me! They look great, though!
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I hadn’t done ‘proper applique’ before this quilt, that’s why I joined the quilt-a-long as a way of learning to do it 🙂
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Soft pretty colors.
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This quilt is so pretty. I can’t believe that this is your first “proper applique”. Wow.
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I’ve been watching you do this, and it has me convinced to start my borders now, since I can, on my Stars Over Baltimore. Those long sides are pretty intimidating at first!
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I forgot, Margaret, are you turning as you go or pressing, then stitching? I think I see your tracing on some of the leaves, so I’m thinking that it pure needle turn, where you turn it on the line as you stitch it down?
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Hi Kathy, some of them are pressed first, like the circles, others it’s pure needle turn, though it’s finger pressed first, which does make a surprising difference. I’ve traced round the leaves with the silver pen. The bias is meant to be pressed first, but at the moment I’m finding it easier to finger press it only.
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That clover bias tool is amazing!!!! You might want one of those!
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I’ve got one somewhere, I bought it a couple of years ago but couldn’t get the hang of it!
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I had trouble too, but when a I realized you are supposed to stick a pin or something in the fabric and pull it out at first, it worked like a charm! I was being way too nice!
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Yes those borders are daunting. I know quilted who makes her borders first so she doesn’t have to face them later! LOL
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Thanks Carla, I can see the sense in doing that, it doesn’t work with a quilt-a-long though 🙂
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Lovely project, but I can appreciate how much work is going into it!
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Looks fantastic! I just love your quilt. I wish I could see it in person.
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This is a real labour of love but it’s so gorgeous it’s going to be worth it in the end.
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You are making great progress with this huge quilt!!! Heck, even one leaf is progress in the right direction, This is going to be a beautiful quilt!
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Hang in there ,you’re doing just fine.🙂 Every quilter that works on a masterpiece drags their feet at some point.Enjoy working on the other quilt you are doing.
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I’ve been looking forward to seeing your progress on this. I can’t imagine how time consuming the vines and flowers and all those small beautiful details would be, but it is truly looking gorgeous so keep up the lovely work!
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It is just going to be gorgeous!! Lovely, lovely work!!! so carry on as you have time, some of the joy is definitely the process don’t you think? take care from Iowa
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I absolutely LOVE this quilt and your choice of colours !!!
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I sure wish I hadn’t missed out on the making of this quilt last year. It is a stunner!
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Thanks Robin, Sarah has just published the pattern in a book…
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I still want to get this pattern! Love it!
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The book has just come out 🙂
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It looks fantastic! I love the vines.
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This is amazing! You’re almost there too, how exciting!
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