I was hoping to have a happy dance today, but I’m not quite there, life has got in the way, or probably more to the point, other projects have got in the way! I worked out a couple of days ago that I had twelve projects on the go, quilting, sewing and embroidery. I think I need to concentrate on getting a few finishes under my belt. I like having a variety of projects but sometimes it just gets a bit too much, it’s hard to control the mess (AKA the creative process!) in my sewing room!
Anyway, three weeks ago this is where I was…
This is a practice piece I’m doing before I start hand-quilting my Down the Rabbit Hole Quilt. I collected my quilt from the Long Arm Quilter last week, she has sandwiched and basted it. It was just too big for me to sandwich at home, it’s 96″ square! It’s lovely to get it back home, but I am determined not to start quilting it until I have finished this one.
Spring is a pre-printed panel from my stash, I’m just doing a simple quilting pattern to get my stitches nice and even. I took it with me when I went to visit my mum, only I forgot one half of my quilting hoop! I stitched it without the hoop and actually it came out OK. My mum was keen to try quilting again, so last week I basted a William Morris panel I’ve had for years and took it in with threads etc.
So, three weeks later and this is where I am…
It’s probably easier to see my progress on the back…
I’m pretty pleased with my stitches, they’re reasonably even and not too many missing on the back! I just need to quilt one bottom square and the title box, then I can bind it and it’s happy dance time!
I’m thinking of setting up the landing area just outside my sewing room for hand-quilting my DTRH, it’s quite a big area and I already have a comfy armchair there, so if I add a good light and a frame, I’m sorted!…oh, and I need a bit of a tidy up too 🙂
*** Update ***
Last night I managed a bit more quilting, I quilted a double heart on the remaining square, I was then pondering how to quilt ‘Spring’, well I decided to quilt a spring pattern, as in a bouncy spring! I hand drew it with pencil and quilted over the line. A bit cheesy, but I like it 🙂
So quilting is now complete, if I manage to bind it tomorrow I’ll write a quick update post, though that depends if my nerves survive Go-Ape tomorrow afternoon, a high level tree top experience, I like zip-wires, but not sure about ‘The Plummet’, a 40′ sheer drop!!!
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, Margaret, Kerry, Emma, Tracy, Deb, Connie, Susan, Nanette, Sassy , Edith, Sharon and Bella.
thecraftycreek 
Very nice work and very pretty.
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Thank you
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I bet that smaller piece has got your quilting rhythm going smoothly; you won’t be feeling nearly as intimidated by DTRH now! Plus you get a bonus small piece 🙂
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I do feel a lot happier about my big quilt now, I’ll be even happier once I’ve started and I know I can man-handle the big quilt!
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Your practice piece is charming and you will now feel much more confident when it comes to DTRH. How did your Mum get on with her piece?
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Thanks Tialys, unfortunately like most things I take in, I think it’s unstarted and forgotten about in her room.
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I’m having a hard time getting past the terror of a 40′ sheer drop! Not for me! Your quilting is looking good!
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Thanks Kerry, I had a few wobbles trying to pluck up courage to jump!
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nothing like working on a small piece to build up confidence! Looking very pretty.
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Thanks Claire, it worked really well as a practice piece.
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Your practice piece is going to be done in no time. It looks like you are ready to tackle DTRH!
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Thanks Gail, I’m all ready for the rabbit hole 🙂
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I love your bouncy spring,I don’t think I’d like that “ plummet “😳
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Thanks Deb, the plummet wasn’t as bad as I thought – once I’d jumped!!
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You are the adventurous sort Margaret!! You can finish the binding on this to calm yourself after the plunge; this little project was a splendid way to get your fingers in synch for the big project ahead! I love the spring, myself.😄
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Thanks Kathy, it worked well as a practice piece.
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This is lovely! And I always love seeing the project from the back… such great texture from the stitches!
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Thanks Kathy, it’s not always easy to photograph the back is it, but this one showed up OK 🙂
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Soooooooo pretty. So bright and cheery. Good luck on your next project.
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Thanks Sandy 🙂
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Another gorgeous piece.
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Thank you!
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Not ‘cheesy’ at all ~ it looks great! Zip – line fun….please let us know how it went – I will zip line vicariously through you 🙂 Sharon
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Thanks Sharon…I am still aching 🙂
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Woo hoo! Your finished and ready for your Down the Rabbit Hole! How exciting 😊❤️
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Thanks Tracy, it’s pretty exciting to be starting my DTRH 🙂
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A great idea to finish this as a practice piece first. That spring is cute! I look forward to the Down the Rabbit Hole quilt, though, as a number of friends have done it, and they are all so different. Don’t feel fussed about responding to my comment. I don’t come back to read them. 🙂 I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate the work you did on this and look forward to seeing what’s happening in three weeks!
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It’s a great idea to finish a practice piece first. It looks like you’ve got the hang of the technique so you should be ready to tackle the big piece!
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Very exciting! it looks super lovely ❤ and I actually really love the spring pattern behind the spring writing, it's so clever!
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I know I’m a bit behind catching up with blog posts – but I love go ape – I hope you enjoyed it too, though I did swear a bit on the plummet
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