When I first started quilting in 2007, I hadn't entertained the idea of hand stitching or appliqué…but perhaps the next year, I started a project that was hand stitched…it's still in the state of unassembled blocks and maybe one year, I'll get 'rountuit.
This is the 2/3rds finished right border of my Flower Garden quilt. I've no idea where this quilt, once finished, will reside. I don't have walls tall enough to accommodate it…oh, well…
Fast forward six years later: March 2013, I began and continue to hand stitch/appliqué the Flower Garden quilt. Now 32 months-in the making, the end is definitely in sight… Although I still have leaves and circles to add to the right and left borders, all 25 hand appliqué flowers are done! Top and bottom borders are next; hope to start those within this next week. As for the leaves and circles, I'll stitch those on an ad hoc basis…they can be rather boring…
Fast forward eight years later: September 2015. This year, I embarked on another year-long hand appliqué quilting project: making a Baltimore Album Quilt. I am taking a class taught by Mimi Dietrich, a nationally recognized teacher and maker of the BAQ.
Traditionally, the 1850s style quilt is red, green and cream. Mine isn't. My color palette is a rust-orange-black paisley on a yellow cream background. I shared my focus fabrics here. I think my quilt is also going to be huge…I've decided on a medallion center and all my blocks will be on-point… Wonder where I'll display it???!
Our class got underway in September and by our 2nd/October session, we had made our first appliqué block. This is mine:
October thru November, we're making stems, leaves and circles… not very inspiring by themselves but those items are necessary for creating any block… and easy enough to do and fit into “down time” during this busy time of the year. One thing I've learned over the past several years: I actually like hand stitiching/appliqué: it's relaxing, soothing, meditative and a great way to while away time with close friends.
What have you found yourself enjoying that surprised you? Or vice versa?
Cheers~