It’s three weeks since I last shared my Down the Rabbit Hole quilt, this is the king size quilt I decided to hand quilt in a moment of madness! I’m glad I’m hand-quilting it, honestly, it’s just an awfully big quilt!
Three weeks ago I’d just started the last big border, the one with the rabbits running round, I’m doing the outer diamonds at the same time, so when I finally get round this bit it will be finished! Three weeks ago I was here…
I was struggling with marking the quilting lines – there’s lots of straight lines here so I couldn’t just wing it. As you can see I was trying masking tape but I found it difficult to mark in the order I wanted to stitch, which was like a zig-zag. I’ve also found it’s made that area a bit tacky, probably because I left it on too long, but even so it wasn’t working for me.
Luckily Kate from Tall Tales from Chiconia recommended ceramic pencils. I ordered one and it’s worked brilliantly, so thanks Kate! I’ve marked the whole of one side and so far the lines have stayed and they’re nice clear white lines, which works well on my coloured fabric.
I’ve made fair progress this time, I’m now at the halfway point along the first border, so I feel I’ve got somewhere. I think these will be the fiddliest sides as well as I’m quilting round each of the rabbits. I find quilting easiest from right to left so even with the rabbit I’m stitching in that direction, even though it means stopping and starting several times.
I think the nearer I get to the end the more progress I’ll make as the light at the end of the tunnel gets a bit brighter!
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 Quilts for Slow Stitching Sunday, please follow the link for more hand-stitching inspiration.
thecraftycreek 
You’ve done so much and really are getting close to the big finish! Exciting!
LikeLike
Looks wonderful! I use painter’s tape for straight lines, as it isn’t quite as tacky. It also helps to put it on my shirt and pull it off a few times before using it on the quilt.
LikeLike
Margaret, you are in the final lap!!! You will be so in love with this when it is finally finished, and you are well on your way now. Glad you got the marking worked out. That is my job for the next three weeks on Stars Over Baltimore. I have one of those pencils in white, I may go get one in a color too!
LikeLike
So pretty!!
LikeLike
I’ll have to look into those marking tools. Your quilt is coming along beautifully. Great job.
LikeLike
I am continually amazed that you are hand-quilting a king-sized quilt. I love what you are doing.
LikeLike
You made phenomenal progress ~ great job. She certainly is a beauty and your doing a great job. I think I need to order a ceramic pencil too 🙂
LikeLike
I’m really glad the ceramic pencil worked for you, I wouldn’t be without mine now. And you can get rid of the lines easily enough with an ordinary eraser or by rubbing them with a bit of scrap fabric. You’re getting along really well, now, the end is in sight. Just think of the sense of achievement once it’s all done!
LikeLike
Whoops, put this in the wrong place, comment meant for Margaret! Sharon, I wanted to say if you search for Sewline ceramic fabric pencil, you can find them easily on Amazon.
LikeLike
Margaret, your progress is coming along nicely! I never heard of the ceramic marking tool. I need to check this out! Thank you for the tip!
LikeLike
Looks great, I love seeing your progress. I think I need to try the ceramic pencil too!
LikeLike
Your getting there ! That’s exciting!! I think you where brave trying a big quilt first.😊
LikeLike
This is looking fabulous! I will have to get one of those ceramic marking pens.
LikeLike
Really, it’s amazing how quickly you are moving. Hand stitching isn’t a fast project, and you have done a lot in the last three weeks!
LikeLike
You are almost there! This is a huge quilt, and you are patiently stitching it up. Way to go!!❤️❤️
LikeLike
Every stitch is progress! I quilt easiest from top to bottom or right to left.
LikeLiked by 1 person