Rose of Sharon Four Block Appliqué Quilt

Ready to Quilt - Four Block Appliqué top in the hoop

I began quilting an old UFO today.  Some years ago...over 10, my appliqué group talked about putting together  a four block Rose of Sharon .  Some of us did.  I did...but never quilted it.  Today I prepared the top for quilting, sandwiched it..using Hobbs Wool Batting and began quilting.  I'm using a new lap frame from Jeans Impressions.  It's not as well made as my 12 inch hoop, but it does work out much better for me.  I like quilting in my easy chair and this fits nicely.

The lap frame.  Mine has a hole in the middle of the bottom.

More posts as I progress.

Hand Quilting Project

This little quilt is almost done.  Hand appliquéd.  Hand quilted. The quilting is done.  The binding is done. The markings are removed.  Still have to add Yoyo flowers.

Prairie Women's Sewing  Circle Project 

Back of Quilt

Close Up 

I love the dimension that wool batting gives to the quilt.

Hand quilting tools

I've been hand quilting and the tools I use have been on my mind. It's a small project but it seems I like small projects best. They are relief from big projects that take so long. I like to do my work by hand and this takes a while...and I do use my sewing machines quite a bit too..but I favor creating my quilts by hand...but I digress.

My current project

Front stitches

  

Back stitches

Needles...After much trial and error, I've discovered the betweens I like best and least. Least..the betweens that bend after just a few stitches, or are have way too much drag or have an impossibly small eye.   Best.. no bend, thin enough to go through easily, little drag, and not impossible to thread.

For my current project, I've been using John James Gold n' Glide No. 11 Betweens. These betweens are thin enough to go through fabric layers easily but not so fragile that they bend easily. The eye of the needle is large enough to take a thread. (The same brand in No. 12 was not a good choice. This bent after just a few stitches.)

John James Gold 'n Glide no 11

Thread...Again after trial and error, I like cotton.  Although many cotton threads especially made for quilting are just fine,  I enjoy using Valdani 35 wt. quilting thread.  It's soft and pliable and makes a fine visible stitch.

Valdani 35 wt. variegated 

Marking..many fine markers, but I like Frixion best.  It remains throughout the process, it erases easily with heat or friction and once washed, it is gone permanently.

Frixion Pen

Batting...I love wool.  Currently I'm using Hobbs Heirloom Washable Wool Batting.  It's a pleasure to quilt and adds a bit of loft and dimension that I love.

Churn Dash Finished

I went down memory lane tonight and watched the Grammy's Beatle Tribute - 50 year anniversary.  While I watched I finished my churn dash mini quilt.  It now has been embroidered and quilted, the little buttons put on, and then the binding.

The mini quilt was hand pieced and hand quilted.  I used EQ7 to create the setting and play with fabrics; and Inklingo to create the pieces for the 3 " blocks.  See Sunday's Blog February 2,  for Inklingo Shapes I used.  I can't begin to express how absolutely thrilled I was to discover that I could use Inklingo shapes to make this quilt!

Thank you Linda for opening up a whole new way to play.

Churn dash blocks with embroidered leaves and button flowers

Close up of one block

Back showing quilting

Churn Dash

This block has many names.  You might also see it as Monkey Wrench, Dragon's Head, Fisherman's Reel, Hole in the Barn Door, Indian Hammer, Lincoln's Platform, Quail's Nest, Sherman's March, and Wrench.  ...and there are probably more.

The Prairie Women's Sewing Circle meets once a month at Quilt Heaven.  I'm part of this sewing circle. This is my interpretation of one of the projects we are doing.  I'm all about hand piecing and using Inklingo  allows me to make these small blocks with ease.  With the awful weather we are having it's so relaxing, sitting in my chair in front of the fire with the dogs all around taking my stitches, seeing this mini quilt come to life.

My progress so far.  The blocks are 3 inch finished.  --- Using Inklingo's Log Cabin .5, and Half Square Triangles 00B), I'm hand piecing.   The quilt is made with 1/4" sashing across (between columns and 1/2" sashing down (between rows). Still need to add one more border and embroider little flowers in each block.

The blocks.  

Joined into rows 3 across.  Two rows sewn together.

Rows all sewn together. One more border needed.

Border added