I cracked on with my seaside quilt so I’m having a mini happy dance this week as I’ve finished the main part of the quilt, I’ve just the borders to decide on. This is the quilt in the book by Kathryn Whittingham called The Seaside Quilt. Three weeks ago I had just finished the Rainy Day on the Beach block after embroidering dozens of French knots, as well as finishing the embroideries for the little blocks…
The next block to embroider was of puffins, it’s a lovely block, well anything with puffins on was bound to be cute as they are such endearing birds, though the one on the left looks like he’s thinking three’s a crowd!! The beaks weren’t easy to get right with these, they’re so distinctive too, I ended up looking at images in bird books to try and get something close. There’s puffins over at Bempton Cliffs near Bridlington, it’s an RSPB reserve, I remember going there with my mum and my kids years ago.
The final block to embroider was a couple sunbathing on deckchairs with a picnic. We occasionally took a picnic down to the beach but you do always end up with sand in the sandwiches! The deckchairs were pretty fiddly to cut out and embroider but I got there in the end.
With all the blocks stitched I could start arranging the little squares so I had an even mix of colours around the red and blue pinwheels and the star blocks. Here’s the bottom row complete…
Finally I could stitch the bottom row to the rest of the quilt, I had a little bit of fudging to do with the starfish block, but otherwise it went together nicely. I’m well chuffed with it, it’s such a happy quilt I can’t help but smile at it…
All I’ve got to do now is decide on the border. Kathryn has a simple border with a narrow border in navy blue followed by a wider border in off white with a scrappy border, she says it’s such a busy quilt she wanted a quieter border. I’m tempted with a narrow border in either navy or sand colour, followed by a piano key border using some of my leftovers, maybe with navy binding with a red flange. I finished my Cottage Garden quilt with a piano key border and I do like it and I have lots of fabric left!..I need to have a play I think.
Hopefully in three weeks time when I next post about my Seaside Quilt it’ll be sandwiched and I’ll have started quilting.
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, Deb, Nanette, Sharon, Karrin, and Daisy
I’ll also be linking up with Kathy’s Quilts for Slow Stitching Sunday. Please follow all the links for lots of stitching inspiration.
thecraftycreek 
everything looks beautifully balanced – looking forward to seeing what you decide on for outside borders!
LikeLiked by 1 person
A mini dance indeed. It looks beautiful! I love the puffins…so cute.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a beautiful bright quilt. I love it! Hugs
LikeLiked by 1 person
I loved the Cottage Garden but think this is just as lovely Margaret, so bright and cheerful you cannot help but smile at these quilts. xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, it is such a happy quilt 🙂
LikeLike
This is such a marvelously detailed quilt and I’ve enjoyed watching your progress over time. Deciding on borders can be a bit tricky, I’m sure you will come up with just the right idea.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Jenny, I think I’ll play with various options and then take a photo so I see the effect better 🙂
LikeLike
This is so charming! I like your ideas for the border. I’m not sure I’d be able to show such restraint – I’d probably be going for a barber-pole red and white diagonal stripe and a dark blue outside that, on the basis that more is more!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Kate, I think I need to have a good play with various options, not sure I could manage a diagonal stripe – it would send my eyes squiffy 😀
LikeLike
Yup, definitely not most people’s cup of tea! You know me, the brighter and bolder the better…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy happy dance!! I love your seaside quilt❤️❤️. Way to go!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely lovely! I must admit I first thought piano key like deck chairs before you said so will be interesting to see if it would work. You’ll do it proud whatever you decide.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, I did like the piano key border on the cottage garden quilt…and I’ve lots of fabric left 🙂
LikeLike
This great ! Scrolled this it twice just enjoying all the little details that add so much charm.😍
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Deb, I think it’s all the little details that makes these quilts so lovely
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a wonderful design beautifully executed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Cathy, it’s been lovely to make.
LikeLike
Such a fantastic keepsake! It is stunning Margaret!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fabulous and Inspirational. I have finally started mine too!
LikeLiked by 1 person