I’ve made reasonable progress on my Foragers book, though I’m still quite a way off catching up. This is the monthly SAL from Pretty Fabrics and Trims, I’m making volume 4 of their Happy Stitches Journals. The parcels of loveliness arrive towards the end of the month, so July only arrived about a week ago, even so, I’m still stitching April!

Three weeks ago I had just finished quilting January and February…

…and I had just started stitching March…

I bound the edges of the double page spread with the pretty Liberty Tana lawn provided, with it being such a fine cotton it doesn’t add much bulk to the edges. I think I’ve sussed out how the books are bound, these double pages will be stitched down the centre to the spine and then the binding slip-stitched together, very clever!

I embroidered the wild garlic page with a mixture of French knots and satin stitch. All the writing is stitched with a single strand of DMC and back-stitch, it does make neat lettering. Once the lettering was done the rest didn’t take too long.

Once March page was embroidered I turned my attention to April, this one has been more time-consuming!! There’s a lot of lettering and the border is taking FOREVER! The border is stitched with satin stitch, it does give a lovely effect but it’s not exactly interesting or quick to stitch. I keep stitching one threads worth (three lengths of 2 strands) and then stitching something a bit more interesting, like the dandelions…I’m getting there slowly.

Once the embroidery is complete, I can stitch the two pages together, quilt them and bind them. Then it’s onto May and June…actually I’ve stitched more than I thought in the last three weeks!!

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, Deb, Karrin, Margaret and Daisy