Monday, September 5, 2011

Hand Quilting and thread

Progress is slowing as I add hand-work to some of the blocks.  This is my first successful big stitch attempt.  I realize that the thread I used on previous attempts was too thick which added to my frustration.  I'm not sure how much I like the oversized light blue stipple..

Some hand stitched wavy echos in blue with more machine flower fill in the center.   I've always done had echo stitching very evenly (or at least that was the goal) so this was fun to make scallops that are narrower on the points and wider on the bumps as well as some bumps covering 2 bumps on the previous row when things started feeling crowded.

Even echos here on 2 sides with circles added to the outside edge on the other 2 sides.

And I did make the thread run.  Unfortunately, some of the colors I needed were only available in small spools.  Others only in poly.  4 of these are hand quilting threads, and the big spool on the left is a Coats & Clark Machine Quilting thread I've never tried before.  All were 50% off.


The Notions wall was also 50% off.  So I stocked up on the bent pins that seem to vanish faster than socks from the drier.  Love that adhesive spray, but it's crazy expensive.  And I decided to give the blade sharpener a try while it was about the usual price of a new blade.
I have 1 more day of this long weekend to work on quilts.  Ahhh  where to start?  FMQ? Hand-work? Piecing?  It's not like I have a shortage of UFO/WIPs.

3 comments:

NEEDLEWINGS said...

I love the hand stitching and your machine quilting is coming along quite well too! Too bad we weren't closer, I could teach you more about machine quilting and you could teach me how to eat well as a diabetic!

Lynne said...

Gotta love a half price sale!

MulticoloredPieces said...

I've enjoyed your FMQ experiment posts--very interesting. I like your combinations of machine and hand quilting. Very nice.
best, nadia