It’s three weeks since I last showed you my Down the Rabbit Hole quilt, I’m hand-quilting it so it’s going to take a while! I started in the middle on the Dresden circle, but mislaid my thread (and it wasn’t an easy place to start!) so I abandoned it for now in favour of the next border out, the round flowers.
Three weeks ago I had just finished the first quarter, having discovered the hard way that quilting in circles isn’t that easy. I was quilting immediately round each circle, then again about 1/2″ away where possible, before echo quilting round the shapes to the edge. This is where I was three weeks ago…
I’ve only managed a couple of evenings working on my quilt, but I have found a much easier way of quilting it. It’s probably not a good idea to change methods but hopefully it won’t be too noticeable in the grand scheme of things…
I’m still quilting round each circle, however I am then echo quilting down the outside, stitching the whole quarter at once, I can then quilt the inside. It’s so much easier because it’s all in one direction! Where there is plenty of room I’m making the inner and outer quilting lines meet, like a complete circle.
I’ve now quilted nearly three-quarters of the border, so reasonable progress for two evenings! I’m already starting to think about how to quilt the next green border which is about 1″ wide and also the houses, any suggestions welcome!
Hand Quilt Along Links;
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 Karrin
I’m also linking up with Kathy’s Quilts for Slow Stitching Sunday, a celebration of all things hand-stitched.
thecraftycreek 
Love the colours of this quilt.
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I like the way you are quilting those circles. Did you find the thread for the center?
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Thanks Cathie, I haven’t found it yet!
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Such a beautiful quilt. Wonderful colours and quilting!
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I think a winding leaf motif could be very elegant on that border, but it may be too thin to do with ease. You’ll come up with something that is exactly right! Great progress for such limited stitching time!
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You are so smart! Hand quilting that huge quilt in all different directions would be a bear!! I’m glad you are Hand quilting though. I am going to drool with envy. ❤️❤️
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You have made tremendous progress! The echo quilting looks so nice a sets of the flowers so well. I am really new to hand quilting so cannot make any recommendations in regards to quilting the green, but will be looking forward to seeing what you come up with.
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It looks beautiful! So interesting how our creative stitching minds work… you are already contemplation the design for the next section while you are stitching along. A 1″ border has limited design options I would think…straight line, wavy line, zigzag?!
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Looks great! Isn’t it fun that our mind starts thinking ahead when we hand quilt about what to do next.
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Hand quilting your quilt is a huge undertaking and I appreciate the time and effort so much that you are devoting to this beauty. I know this is going to be spectacular when your finished ~ Sharon
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Beautiful piece! I love the color scheme!
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I love this quilt, the colors are beautiful
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Your doing a fine job! I think I would do a stitch in the ditch on both side of the green border if it’s only an inch. That way it will make the border stand out.
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I’m struggling too with hand quilting DTRH. Like you finding turning the quilt exhausting. In one direction the way to go 😉. I stitched in the ditch both sides of one inch border. Good luck – quilt beautiful
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Beautiful quilting. Great progress.
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It’s such a pretty quilt in the colors you chose. Hand quilting is so relaxing if you have a good path to follow and it sounds like your new way works well.
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It is so pretty. I have seen many variations of this quilt, but I love your colors best.
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