Back in June, I made a pledge that everyday, I would try very hard to make time to sew something, or at least prepare fabrics for sewing. I called my mission.... Scraps of Time ~ Scraps of Fabric. (Click here to read my original June blog post.)
I'm hooked! I'm smitten! I can't stop!!! I cut, trace and sew these blocks, and most everything else I am presently working on in the evening while watching TV. I prepped loads of blocks, and popped them into zip bags to take with me while I'm away from home. I pieced a bunch on a trip to Maine, and while I was in Santa Fe, NM over Labor Day weekend. My stitches are getting better and better with each block.
I delighted to say I'm a hand piecer now, and will likely hand piece until I can't hold a needle anymore.
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| Basket quilt is found in the book When The Cold Wind Blows by Blackbird Designs |
How about you? Are you making time to sew something each and every day? I think I'm doing pretty well considering before pledging to this mission, I wasn't sewing very much at all.
Hoping we all find some time to sew something everyday. It's so very good for us in so may ways!
And I love everything you are sewing. I am very impressed with you consistent efforts. Those stars are gorgeous. Kudos to you for mastering the hand stitching!
ReplyDeleteReally like how you fussy-cut the fabric on the 9-patches in the upper left corner.
That purple basket is so pretty. Love your new Old Plum Calico line!! Can't wait for my fat eighth bundle to arrive!
I try to either hand or machine sew every day. Being retired helps. I always enjoy your fabric but the new line really sings to me.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to you on a job well done! I love to sew and I manage to do so every day. My day wouldn't be complete without it.
ReplyDeleteHi Pam! I signed up for Clara's Stars but haven't had the time to start yet. It is killing me! Are you using EPP for your stars? Yours look fabulous and if you are hand piecing without papers I may follow your lead. Are you hand piecing Panama Pyramids, too?
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the world of hand sewing! My mother made me learn everything by hand (button sewing, seams, buttonholes, hems, etc) before I was ever able to use the sewing machine (and I started on that before I started school at 6.5 yrs) Now, I only do hand work if i cannot do it on the machine!
ReplyDeleteThose star blocks are gorgeous and I can't believe you did them all by hand. Bravo!! I was always afraid that hand stitched would come apart, then I realized that my grandmothers were all hand stitched and I still have them! Love your fabrics and I see you have some Kansas Troubles too, I love those lines and my favorites are the "K.S. Favorites. In fact, I am doing a 9 patch with them right now.. When I'm done, I may just try some hand stitched.
ReplyDeleteI try, but working full time tends to cramp my style. Working on a computer all day makes my eyes tired some evenings. Retirement (to sew!) can't come soon enough!!! I love stars, and your stars are lovely!
ReplyDeleteI am predominately a hand piecer, and I love it....totally portable, and I find my piecing by hand is much more accurate than when I piece on the sewing machine.....
ReplyDeleteWelcome to this wonderful world of hand piecing!!
I do try to stitch every day, and most days, I am successful in that goal....
Love your stars!!
Sandra B
scb304@juno.com
I haven't hand pieced in many years, but may just relearn how just to (attempt to) master Y-seams! I'm working on improving my hand appliqueing, and must say that little purple basket really calls out to me. May just have to find that book and pattern and get started on a purple basket quilt.
ReplyDeleteI try very hard to sew something everyday most days I do there are a few that I can't and some days that is all I do. started the vintage farm girl quilt with a group doing 4 blocks a month so cute doing 6 inch size.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful post! Love seeing all those delightful hand-pieced blocks. Yay you!
ReplyDeleteSo gorgeous projects and post.Love all the blocks.Great job!
ReplyDeleteHand stitching is my favorite way to relax. We travel a distance from home several times a year and I always have a hand project with me. I really like your newest fabric line and I love the shades of red in all your lines. Your stars are going to make a wonderful keepsake quilt.
ReplyDeletewell my sew along is machine pieced and my skills on that are improving as well...it's the same with getting to carnegie hall...practice, practice, practice!
ReplyDeleteYay! Another hand piecer! :) Your stars look amazing; I'd never know from looking at them that you're a beginner. And you started with six-pointed stars and set-in seams. I'm totally impressed.
ReplyDeleteI've kept up with doing some form of needlework, including hand piecing and quilting, almost every day. I've missed a few days here and there and am behind on my blog due to illness (just colds; nothing that a bit of rest couldn't cure), but I've kept on plugging away. :)
I get up every morning at 4:30 and stitch until I have to go to work at at 7:00. If I didn't stitch something every day I would spend a lot in "therapy"! So happy to hear that you like hand piecing. It is so relaxing and even at the prices of fabric today, it is far cheaper than a psychiatrist! Have fun!
ReplyDeleteI learned to hand piece years ago when my non-traditional friend taught me the very traditional ways of making a quilt. I haven't done it much though because I use my hand work time now to quilt by hand. Finishing those quilts is also important. :<))
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