hand-quilting

I was so inspired by this picture http://www.flickr.com/photos/charlottenarunsky/6683871633/in/pool-1904864@N22 that I decided to attempt hand-quilting on my Small Plates quilt.

Here are the blocks before being joined.  Don't I have great helpers?

I used Aneela Hoey's Sherbet Pips in a random assortment and I just love it!  It was very easy to cut and piece and although it is a bit smaller than the pattern called for, it will be just right for three girls to curl up with on the couch.  The pattern is from the awesome Modern Guide to Patchwork by Elizabeth Hartman.

So back to the hand-quilting.  I thought this would be the perfect way to practice before the Swoon quilt is ready.  I got out my supplies, sat down with a friend, and got started.

  

(do you like the totally neglected vacuum in the background?  maybe I'll take her for a spin one of these days.)

I am definitely enjoying hand-quilting (I love hand embroidery) but need some other tools.  For instance, a longer needle would make the pulling from front to back much easier.  Also, I think a finger pad would make it easier to grip the needle.  And might prevent slashing my finger open, which I did as soon as I started and consequently got blood on the quilt - thank goodness for Grandma's secret spot remover.

I am off to the quilt store to stock up on these supplies!  do you hand or machine quilt?  which do you prefer?

Swoon along . . .

So it turns out I am not the only one who obsessively collects and hordes fabric and patterns that sit around and gather dust - yea! I found proof of this when I decided to join I'm a Ginger Monkey in a quilt a long using the Swoon pattern.  I bought this pattern last Fall and have periodically pulled it out and gazed upon it with longing ever since without actually starting the quilt.  so when I saw this QAL, I decided to join in!  I have never done one before but I am excited for the motivation to stick to an actual schedule so there is some chance the quilt will actually get finished instead of languishing in my ever-growing WIPs pile.

There are more than 300 quilters around the world participating in this QAL (300!) and many of the comments read about the same as my thoughts - I have no business joining in, I already have a million unfinished projects that I should take care of before starting another one, I have had this pattern forever but have never actually started it, etc.  So it seems I am in good company.

I am going to use Riley Blake's Daydream in Blue:

 


I have had this fabric for awhile but haven't had the heart to actually cut it and use it until now.  wish me luck!