Slow Stitching Hexie Flowers

Slow stitching, indeed. I have not been stitching very faithfully, but when I do take the time to sit with needle and thread, I am appliqueing hexie flowers to 6.5-inch neutral fabric. Eventually these will be used as setting blocks alongside 9-patches. The resulting quilt will be wall-hanging sized or perhaps, table topper. I am definitely not going for a full quilt. Small and sweet, just like these darling hexie flowers. 

Recall this mock up from awhile back. I've mostly left this on the design wall, and as I've pondered things while stitching, I do think something just a bit bigger will be nice. I have plenty of 9-patches already prepped. I've likely made more flowers than I'll use. It's the appliqueing part that will force me to keep it small. (Never have been a fan of applique; even though I've learned and can do it, I avoid when possible.)

And it's likely that very avoidance which explains my reluctance with finishing these hexie flowers. No matter how badly I want this little project finished, I seem to find a gazillion other things to do besides stitch. Inexplicable....

Here are some completed appliques. Several more are waiting in the basket. This little project is of the wildly impromptu variety, and it meets all the objectives of making darling, sweet little flowery quilts. The simplicity of it appeals in every way. All these hexies were made with Tilda scraps that remained after finishing my Wensleydale blocks. 

I'm linking up with Kathy and her weekly slow stitching meet-up. Take a peek at some of the awesome projects these stitchers are working on. These gals seem to have a lot more "stick-to-it" powers than I have. I'm gonna' glean some motivational inspiration from them.

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Jayne 

Retreat - The Handwork of Becky and Sheryll

Two sewists at retreat came without their sewing machines. They are so dedicated in their handwork these days that machine sewing was just more than they wanted to manage. When you see their fine workmanship, you'll agree it was the right call.

Sheryll enjoys working with wool and flannel applique. This design is one she's had for quite a few years, and it was originally intended for a sweatshirt. She opted to turn it into a wall hanging and intends to frame it, if possible. She has alternate plans if framing doesn't work out. She needs to add fine details - more leaves on the trees, a bird or two, and other bits of embellishment.

Becky's handwork of choice lately has been EPP. She has several projects underway, and rotated through them as she needed variety.

She's been making this beautiful star quilt for awhile. Becky's fabrics of choice are reproductions, and she has a vast supply with which to make these stars.

The remaining EPP projects from Becky involved 1-inch hexagons. There are no less than 3 projects in the works. This first one is a single flower. 

This next one is a double flower - that is, two rounds of color around the center. This is a jell roll-friendly project; Becky is using a line by Minick and Simpson.

This last project will be diamond-shaped hexies. She'g got a good start, and a tub fill of fabric for making more. 

Like I said in a previous retreat update, I am quite unreliable about recording all that everyone worked on. There is a strong likelihood that everyone worked on more than I share here. 

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Jayne 

Fun Little Quilts

The Frankfort Girls had our Christmas brunch and gift exchange on Friday morning. I always look forward to this event for the extra special fellowship that the Christmas Spirit brings. We have a wonderful meal at a local woman's house - the most darling little cabin decorated perfectly with primitives and family treasures. 

Afterwards, we headed over to Terry's house for gifting and relaxing. While our usual every-other-Friday gathering is set at 9-noon, we always gladly allow this special event go long. It is almost as if none of us want the love and fellowship to end. 

You saw the gifts I took when I shared my red and white Scandinavian Stars. Inside, everyone got a holiday kitchen towel, an ornament, a small candle and a tasty homemade treat. I drew Sheryll's name in the gift exchange (and interestingly, she had my name, too!). Sheryll is a master of wool applique who loves red, so I gifted her a bundle of red wool from Sue Spargo's store that I visited in July. I don't have a picture of Sheryll's bundle, but below are a few shots of the shop; there are wool bundles scattered throughout these pictures.

Now to the fun little quilts referenced in my title today. I wrote a few weeks ago about the little quilts at Becky's house. Who knew that she was making one for each of us?! Oh my goodness, the time and detail she put into these! They are just as darling as can be.

Becky tried to create a little quilt specifically suited each of us, and she was so very spot on with her fabric choices and designs. What a labor of love, and we all are so very lucky to have a Becky creation!

Now, I will close by sharing more fun little quilts - the beautiful handwork of Sheryll, who as I mentioned had my name in the gift exchange. And recall that I gifted her wool for her wool applique. Just feast your eyes on these lovelies!

Two sweet table runners or wall hangings. At least, that's how I will probably use the one that says 'welcome.' Below are a couple close ups of the detail. What masterful workmanship!

Yes, I get to sew with some very talented gals, and they truly do inspire me to stretch my sewing and quilting horizons. I've learned so much from them.

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Slow Sunday Stitching

The title of today's post is a bit of a misnomer in that I have done exactly zero slow stitching on this beautiful Sunday. However, in recent weeks I have been somewhat attentive to Lake Effect, and I thought I'd share an update.

The slow-me-down parts are nearly finished. Even though I feel I am becoming more accomplished with the back-basting method of applique, I find it hard to make myself work steadily at it. These four panels are mostly done, with the remaining work needing to wait to go on when the corners are joined. I am feeling pretty good about how they look, even with some very wonky berries.

I am now at the point where I am thinking it is time to attach these panels to the center portion. It appears I will need to attach more hexies to make it all fit.

I don't know if anyone will recall that I began making this (in 2017!) with a misconception of what a 3" hexie was. I had one measuring 3" from tip to tip and made all gazillion of mine with that template.

Many months later, I learned that, in fact, the 3" is the body of the hexie. Hmmm. That presented me with a problem.  I would need to improvise or start over. 

Undaunted, I knew my project could be salvaged, and it would result in "making it my own." I kinda' like that idea, so on we go.

I worked on this minimally while on our vacation. Too hard to applique in the car, and hotel lighting mostly didn't suit me. No worries. Way back in '17, I gave myself 10 years to finish this quilt. Five years in, and I feel as if I am mostly on course. 

I will link to Kathy's weekly slow stitching party. Many of those gals regularly check in to see how I am doing, and I like to do likewise with them. Hope you'll have a look, too. 

Kathy asks what we are doing today, and I have to laugh at how our day has been. 

We have a raccoon problem in our backyard. They eat the birdseed, damage the feeders, rip the hummingbird feeder off the branch, and now they've even pushed through the screen on our porch and sniff around. So we have been trapping them. They are easy to trap with the right kind of trap, but then we have to "dispose" of them. We can't bear to kill them so we "rehome" them. Just after midnight last night, we took one away, and first thing this morning, we took another. We take them far enough away so that we hope they don't return. People are always telling us that they are smart enough to return, especially if there are babies back home. 

I will report further developments.

Happy Quilting, Friends!

My Projects for Florida

As you know if you follow regularly, DH and I are spending the month in Florida. I could just not bear the thought of facing a month without sewing, so I put together a collection of hand projects that would be doable for me while on the road - from the passenger seat while in the car, from hotel rooms, and from the comfort of homes in which we'll be staying.

Hey, a quilter's gotta' do what a quilter's gotta' do, ya' know!?

I forced myself to limit the projects to what would fit in this collapsible tote. Of course, items that stuck out the top didn't count, so this mess is what made the cut.

It looks somewhat neater turned the other direction.

I've shared previously the cross stitch baby quilt I am working on for my niece's upcoming new addition. I worked on this just a bit on the drive down. That's why this is sorta' stuffed into the top of the tote.

My Lake Effect Quilt came along for the trip. This post is from about a year ago, so my progress moves at a snail's pace. All that applique still needs some finishing touches, and then, should I get that done, I can continue working to attach all the panels to the hexies. Those are folded into that see-through Missouri Star bag underneath.

And, if those two projects bore me, I have fabric and supplies for making EPP flowers. I even thought to bring a small iron and hot pad for pressing fabric.

So, I am set for a variety of hand work - cross stitch, applique or EPP. If I discipline myself (i.e. put the phone down), I can work on any of these while visiting with our hosts, sitting quietly in the evenings, or soaking up some Florida sunshine.

We arrived at my brother- and sister-in-law's last evening after dark, so we've spent today visiting with them and acquainting ourselves with the surroundings. We will be here about 10 days, then move on to see more of the state.

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Revisiting Lake Effect

I have taken a brief hiatus from Lake Effect in recent weeks (months), and I finally find myself in the mood once again to tackle some of the applique for my one remaining panel. 

It occurs to me as I pull this back out that so very many steps are involved in applique. Trace the design onto the back of the panel; cut the shapes; back-baste shapes to panel; trim shapes; applique. This is a brief summary of the steps. Left out are decisions about fabric colors, thread colors, layering correctly (does the leaf go on top of the stem or behind the stem?) and neat workmanship on the actual appliqueing step.

Back of panel; bird fabric stitched to front.

Front of panel; two berries ready, as well.

Trimmed and ready for appliqueing.

The steps to this point are rather hum-drum, and maybe that's why I get so tired of working on this quilt. What comes next is the real stitching of those elements in place over that vine/stem. It is pleasurable work because it actually means it's done. And big shapes like the redbird are so nice, as they have few tricky curves and take up a lot of space. These leaves will be equally fun to do for those same reasons.

Three leaves prepped; back view.

Front view of leaves.

Trimmed and ready for appliqueing in place.

Because I grow impatient and want a fast finish, I stop work on this - my so-called Ten Year Project - and work on other things that come together faster. I do still want this quilt, however, and I intend to finish it. No pressure! I still have 6 years to meet that 10-year mark! *chuckle*

I am linking to Kathy's blog and her Slow Sunday Stitching party. I've not stopped by there for awhile, so go with me and have a look around!

Happy Quilting, Friends!

 

Vacation Stitching

After admitting in the last post about not stitching on our trip, I made myself at least pull out the project tub to interest me. Of course, I took multiple little hand projects, just in case, and to suit whatever mood I happened to be in. 

Do you operate in moods? I might be in the mood for applique, or I might be in the mood to stitch EPP, or I might be in the mood to glue EPP, and so on. Those were the main three tasks I had in my travel-friendly project tub. Here's a look inside.

As it turns out, I was in the mood for applique. This may have been due to a gentle suggestion offered by Gretchen of Gretchen's Little Corner. Awhile back she encouraged me to take along Lake Effect and stitch on it in whatever moments, be they brief or extended, available. 

And so I did. Thank you, Gretchen, for that suggestion. It was just the gentle push I needed to get me going.

I took one panel with me. It needed only the berries to be completed. Getting closer to being done!!!

Here are some berries stitched down, and a couple on the right just basted down.

The back-basting is done with darker thread so that it is easy to see. I can easily begin the applique at this point.

Some more back-basted berries.

And one more. You may notice that none of my berries are perfectly round. This does not bother me at all. Some applique patterns sort of require that kind of precision and care. This pattern is quite forgiving in its 'freeform' nature. 

Plus, you know, done is better than perfect. A great concept to keep in mind as I continue this trek with Lake Effect.

I am linking up with the weekly Slow Sunday Stitching gals at Kathy's Quilts. It's how I "met" Gretchen, and you might meet some lovely new friends, too! (*Waving to you, Gretchen!!*) Click on Gretchen's link and you will see a quilt of hers that was raffled ---- for $3000!! Way to go! That is so awesome!

Happy Quilting, Friends!

 

Back Basting

 It has been awhile since I spoke about how to do applique with the back basting method. By no means am I an expert, but I am finding success with applique, which previously was a skill I would avoid at all costs. 

My breakthrough came in two moments which occurred almost simultaneously. First, I admired my friend Becky's beautiful applique and learned that she uses the back basting method. She explained the method, shared some tips, and encouraged me to try it. Within a day or two, almost as if destiny intervened, I chanced across a video on Instagram by the very talented Jeana Kimball, in which she provided a step-by-step tutorial on the method.

Since I am beginning the leaf appliques on one of my panels, I thought I'd go ahead and share the prepping steps. Almost any time I mention back basting, I get comments and questions about it. Hopefully this will help someone.

Prior to what you see in this photo, I have pencil-traced my entire design on the back of my panel. I have already stitched the vine/branches, which is faint but visible on the left. For leaves, I cut big shapes out of my desired fabrics and pin them over the traced leaves. It is essential to leave ample turning-under fabric, so cut larger than you need.

When you know which leaf you want to work on, move the fabric to the front of the panel. I hold my fingernail on the widest parts of the leaf to make sure I am leaving enough fabric for turning under and adjust accordingly. Pin in place.

Return to the back of the panel, and with very dark, mismatched thread, run a basting stitch on the leaf outlines. In the photo above, you can see that I have three leaves basted. This is where we get the term back basting. The next picture shows how the front looks when basted. The leaf shows because you've used that mismatched thread. Note that I am really cutting that one leaf edge close (at about the 10 o'clock point), but I think I can make it work. It will still look like a leaf if I have to come in a bit at that point, right?

Next, trim around all the shapes to remove the excess fabric. As I applique, I will trim more closely on the curves, notching or clipping as needed.

Now I am ready to stitch these three leaves. As I get some done, I will take pictures and do a follow-up on the stitching and finishing part of the process.

I sure hope this simplifies the back basting method for you. I learned it as the result of two accomplished quilters helping me along; I hope this will do the same for you!

Linking up with Kathy's Quilts in just the nick of time! Check out her weekly feature Slow Sunday Stitching!

Happy Monday! 

And Happy Quilting, Friends!