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Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Celtic Solstice


My hand piecing kit
I'm still in Florida helping my dad with all the day-to-day things that have to be done after mom passed.  I will be leaving to go back to Ohio in mid-March. In the meantime I've been catching up on my handpiecing.

I brought along my hand sewing kit.   I've got my needle keeper, my needle threader, my thread, pincushions, my scissors, a tiny box for small pins, and yes of course a seam ripper,...and my beeswax candle that smells deliciously of honey.  Inside my needle keeper I have John James appliqué needles (number 11) and John James milliners needles (number 11). As I handpiece, I switch back-and-forth between the two. My favorite thread for handpiecing is Aurifil 50 wt.  I also use Mettler 60/2.   Both of these threads are cotton.

While I've been in Florida, I've been working on my Celtic Solstice.  Celtic Solstice was Bonnie Hunter's mystery quilt for 2013. I began this quilt in September of 2013 and followed along with the clues.  I chose my own color palette based on the fabric I had the most of.  (I am quite determined to use up my stash.) As the clues developed, I printed out my pieces using Inklingo.  During the next year between other projects I pieced together Celtic Solstice at a leisurely pace, first putting together the 3 inch blocks then joining the 3 inch blocks into the 9 inch squares. Once I finished my 9 inch squares I join them together in fours.  The project box that I brought to Florida with me consisted of 9 inch blocks and some joined four block squares.

4 blocks joined

During the last few weeks I have finished piecing the center of the quilt and am now working on the pieced border.


Without other projects to distract me, I should be done with the Celtic Solstice top in the next few weeks.  







8 comments:

  1. Wow, what fabulous progress ... and what a gorgeous quilt. I have to say that I think that this is one of the most spectacular Celtic Solstice quilts I've seen ... well done!

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    1. Kathy thank you. The fun in this was seeing it become as I stitched.

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  2. it is looking gorgeous - and who says that it takes forever to hand piece a quilt! those of us that do it knows it doesn't!!

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  3. Thank you Karen. Hand piecing is so relaxing. At the machine I'm tense and my points are constantly in need of correction! So for me hand piecing an "accurate" top by machine takes me longer.

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  4. Oh, Sandy - it looks spectacular! I really love how calming your colour palette is. You have made a fantastic quilt!

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  5. Sandy,
    Your top is gorgeous! Hand piecing is so relaxing and with Inklingo it is also perfect. I stress over machine piecing, too. :-) Hand piecing to me is a lot faster. VBG I really like your fabric choices also.
    I know it has truly helped you to stay with your Father during this time. Please keep us updated on the borders!

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  6. Replies
    1. Thank you Vickie. I had a very good time making it. Thank you for your comment.

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