It’s three weeks since I last shared my Down the Rabbit Hole quilt with you, this is a Sarah Fielke quilt which I am now hand quilting, it’s taking a lot longer than I anticipated, but it is a very big quilt – 96″ square. I think I can finally see a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel!
Three weeks ago I was still quilting the rope border, I was just over half way round…
I spent a couple of evenings concentrating on my quilt and finally it was time for a mini happy dance, another border finished!
I’ve now just started the last two borders, yes, you read it right, LAST TWO!!! Though one is a pretty big border!
After much deliberation I’ve decided to quilt in the ditch round the rabbits and maybe the heart. I’ve started cross-hatching the background. My original thought was to follow the lines of the rope border, which would make it more of a diamond shape, however it looked like it would get messy at the corners, so I decided to use the squares of the outer border. I think it’s working out OK. I might decide to stitch another row to make the cross-hatching smaller, we shall see.
I’m leaving the vines and flowers unquilted, but when the cross-hatching goes behind I’m sort of quilting it without coming through the top layer, so on the back it will just look like cross-hatching without any gaps and I am hopefully just catching the background with the quilting. The straight lines on the photo are the machine basting, which I’m gradually taking out as I go along.
I’m struggling a bit with marking the lines at the moment, I tried a pencil, I couldn’t see it, I tried a hera marker, which was partially successful, I might try it again on a harder surface, if not I’ll try a chalk pencil. What is more frustrating is that I know I have some quarter inch masking tape somewhere…but can I find it!!
Whilst I’m quilting the big rabbit border, I’m also quilting the final diamond border, I’m just going along the centre of the light diamonds with a little one in between. There’s not a lot of stitching on this last border, so if I stitch it as I’m going a long the rabbit border, I’ll have finished when I reach the other end!
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, Margaret, Emma, Tracy, Deb, Susan, Nanette, Edith, Sharon, Karrin, Gretchen and Kathi
I’ll also be linking up with Kathy’s Quilt’s for Slow Stitching Sunday, so please follow the links for more quilting and hand sewing inspiration.
thecraftycreek 
Isn’t it always the way – went you want something you can never find it. Looking great!
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Find your masking tape! It will make the crosshatch stitching so much easier. Your progress looks wonderful!
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I don’t like masking tape much, but to each her own. I much prefer the Sewline ceramic marking pencils with either white or pink leads, which make a nice crisp line against a ruler or template. It’s coming along nicely!
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Thanks Kate, I’ve just ordered one to try 🙂
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Well, I have plenty of 1/4″ tape, but I when I was doing my DEEP cleaning in the Studio I threw out 2 things that I should not have because I could remember why I had them…… Your quilt will be so pretty! I have the book – maybe in 2020 I will work on it. Hugs
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Down The Rabbit Hole is such a beautiful quilt. I am dancing with you with that finish line in site. You’ve got this 🙂
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Love seeing your progress on this beautiful quilt!
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That’s awesome! You are doing great!
You are at the last bit of the marathon… keep going… you are going to feel sooo great shortly!
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I love this quilt of yours, so pretty.
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Hurrah for the mini finish. Cross hatching will be perfect for the rabbit border, but then I love cross hatching against applique! I like the effect you are gettig with the diamond pattern too. It’s going to be so gorgeous!
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Thanks Kathy
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I know how you feel with knowing you have something but it is playing hide and seek from you and winning! Your DTRH quilt is looking teriffic!
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I’ve used masking tape a number of times. I probably prefer the wider tape because it stays on the quilt top better. I just put the tape on the line I want to quilt using my 24″ ruler as a guide and it works for me. This is going to be so lovely!
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Ooh, I’ve got 1″ to hand, I’ll try it
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It looks awesome! Marking is always a problem for quilters. Its good to have several options depending on the fabric in the quilt. One day i want to do a preprinted whole cloth so I don’t have to do any marking LOL
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Sweet!!💃💃💃 a border done! Your getting there!
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Still a lot to do but I can see a glimmer at the end!
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I love how much hand quilting adds to the comforting look of a quilt. You are doing great!
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Thank you 🙂
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That’s amazing progress. I read your description of how you are quilting under the appliqué, and it sounds tricky to me! What a wonderful quilt you have almost finished!
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Thank you, I’ve not always cut away behind the applique, so I can just catch the underlayer, which also helps by keeping the line and the thread going.
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