Just take a deep breath and stitch, she said, so I did!
I’m so excited about my Spring Wreath BOM, I’ve just finished the first block and I’m well chuffed with it!
This is a block of the month quilt designed by Andrea Walpole of Raggedy Ruff designs, it has raw edge applique and free motion machine embroidery which is new to me, so I was somewhat apprehensive about that bit of the quilt, but that was one reason for choosing to make the quilt…apart from the fact that it is just gorgeous!
Last time I showed you the block I had just laid on the applique shapes…
Andrea just holds them in place, no glue, no bondaweb, I wasn’t quite that brave, I used a tiny dot of glue, just enough so the pieces would stay put. To start with I had to stitch all round the edge of the pieces, I think the free motion quilting I’ve done did help but there are quite a few wobbles! I also had to outline the eyes, Andrea had a really helpful tip for this, I traced the eye onto the freezer paper pattern, cut out the hole, ironed it in place and then stitched the circle right next to the edge of the paper, it worked!
Next was what I think of as the actual embroidery. Andrea’s instructions are really good, lots of diagrams and photos, she also has tutorials on YouTube, which although they are not of this specific design, they help with general technique enormously. I’m using a selection of Gutermann threads at the moment rather than the specific threads used in the design. If I get really into machine embroidery I might start investing in the special threads, but for now Gutermann will suffice.
The trickiest bit I found was the eyes, lets face it they can make or break a picture so the pressure was on!! I did the darker hare first and you can tell! He looks like he has too much mascara on and I stitched that much there is almost an eyeball of thread at the back!! The second hare came out much better, less is more I think! The leveret’s eye is so small I more or less gave up with detail as I couldn’t see what I was doing! All in all I’m pretty pleased with the eyes.
Really it was mostly a matter of doing varying zig-zags over the design, sometimes it flowed really easily and other times I found it hard to get the direction right, I found it easier if I turned the block round so I was stitching down but that wasn’t always feasible.
The stitching is easiest to see on the back where it shows up clearly on the stabiliser, mind you, you can also see the big blob of an eye!
By the time I got round to stitching the flowers and the dandelion heads I was just going for it, some work well, others not as neat but I love the overall effect.
I’m well chuffed with the first block, can’t wait for the next one to arrive!
thecraftycreek 
I can tell you’re having fun with this; ‘just go for it’ seems to be working well for you!
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I enjoyed it much more than I thought I might!
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These turned out so cute.
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Thank you
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Very cute, loved seeing the process!
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Thanks Karrin
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Oh wowsers, I love them.
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Thanks Cathy, I’m really pleased with them 🙂
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Ooh, you’re tempting me to drop my feed dogs again.
As you do such neat and beautiful ‘ordinary’ embroidery, do you find the somewhat less controlled nature of the freehand method a bit strange? I can’t/don’t do the neat and exact version so I don’t have that problem.
I love the effect of the freehand method and I like the reverse side of yours almost as much as the front – even with the knotty eyes.
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I find it very strange! Definitely out of my comfort zone, I like patterns that tell you exactly where to put the stitches, even better if the fabric has holes ready made to put your needle in 🙂
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this is looking fabulous, and the back looks as good as the front!
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Thanks Claire, it’s useful looking at the back as the stitching is so much clearer
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I just love the back of your piece – it really is lovely (so too is the front!).
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Thanks, though I think I need to trim my loose ends next time I reveal all 🙂
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No wonder you are feeling pleased! It looks great. The hares have just the right amount of stitching ~ enough to indicate the shape and texture of the fur and body behind, without overdoing it (as I probably would have done!). The next block will be exciting too.
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Thanks Anne, it’s hard knowing when to stop! Looking forward to the next one.
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I love these. Your hares look absolutely stunning. While I understand your comment about mascara I think his eye stands out perfectly when you look at the block as a whole. You look like you’ve been doing this sort of embroidery for a long time. Keep going, I’m looking forward to seeing the next block
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Thanks Julia, you’re right about standing back and looking at the whole block, sometimes I just spend too much time looking at the detail!
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😂 I have the same problem with most of the things I do!
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Love the way the rough edge makes the hares look so realistic, as it they have actual fur. If the rest of the quilt is as lovely as this I will really enjoy watching it grow.
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The rest of the quilt is just as gorgeous 🙂
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Bunnies look amazing! Glad you were brave, took your deep breath and just did it!
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Thanks, I won’t be quite so terrified next time 🙂
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I love this! You have really captured the way bunnies look!
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Thanks Catherine, I’m so pleased with them!
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Just seen this (catching up with my blog reading slowly!)
Great job – looks awesome, you’ve got a knack for this!
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