Sunday, February 28, 2016

Slow Sunday Stitching - Life is Beautiful

I have been working on my Life is Beautiful project for exactly a year now and it was time to evaluate how things are progressing and what might need to change (if anything).
I have been collecting the fabrics for this quilt over the past year, always carrying the fabric swatches with me just in case I found myself in a fabric store. I am using the same colours as the quilt in the pattern. I decided I had accumulated enough fabric to start making some blocks.

So I cut up some of the fabric for a test block to applique an embroidery block onto. I deliberately chose the block with the saying "Success is not to succeed, but to try". 
I trimmed the block with the 1/4" seam allowance, clipped into that allowance all around the circle, and folded over the edge with my fingers as I was taught by Becky Goldsmith. It's amazing how much that crease helps to get a smoother edge when appliqueing.

It was fun! I just need to find my small applique pins so the thread doesn't get tangled up on the pins as I stitch.






And here is the first finished block! The next step is to cut away the extra fabric behind the embroidery circle, and that scrap will then be appliqued onto another four patch block. That's what I will be doing today, with renewed enthusiasm as I see how much I really like the look of the block.
What are you hand stitching today? Link up your blog post below and share your project with us.



25 comments:

Sarah said...

I love, love, love this! To me it's the perfect project. Redwork and patchwork! Your fabric choices are also perfect. Have a lovely day. Xx

The Cozy Quilter said...

I look forward to SSS each week and love it when you post a Life is Beautiful block. I was wondering how the circles would get made into a quilt, and now I know!

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

It looks so pretty ...love these colors :)

Lyndsey said...

I love the colours and the stitching is perfect.

Turid said...

Beautiful, and yes, I always try. Just now I try to come out to take pictures of my slow Sunday stitching.

Quilting Babcia said...

I love where this is going. Beautiful colors, embroidery, and inspiring words. What could be better?

Podunk Pretties said...

I always wondered how needle turn appliquers made those edges so smooth, now I know. Lovely work!

Ivani said...

You have the perfect fabrics and the first block turnned out just so pretty Love it. ♥

mlb said...

You have been very inspirational this year. I have loved following your progress on this project. This is a blog I look forward to reading every week. Thanks. :-)

Kath said...

That is very pretty, I also love to embroider, so I shall enjoy seeing your progress and I will check out the link got turning the circle.

CathieJ said...

The fabrics you have chosen for this project are beautiful. Enjoy your stitching.

Ellen said...

That is such a beautiful block and the fabrics you have chosen to work with are just gorgeous!

Denise :) said...

The words in your stitcheries always look so prettily stitched ... I really struggle with that in my own work. I love your flowers, too! :)

Vroomans' Quilts said...

That is a lovely stash of fabrics for your setting blocks (and I have some of those too). I can see where the excitement comes with just one block done up - just so pretty!

SandraC said...

I also love seeing your Life is Beautiful. It always inspires me to start the next block in my own Life is Beautiful!

Debra said...

Beautiful Life is Beautiful!! Love the colors and your stitching is wonderful. Can't wait to see move of these.

Karen in Breezy Point said...

Oh, this is going to be such a pretty quilt! I'm looking forward to watching it progress!

Sherrie said...

HI,
Love your color combos. The applique is beautiful. Have a great day!

Stephie said...

What a perfect embroidery to start with. Perfect appliqué too Kathy! I hope you enjoy more stitching today and really look forward to seeing this one progress - those reds are gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

Your quilt is beautiful, I love the colors!

Deb said...

Lovely embroidery patch and your fabric choices are great, the patch applique looks good on the blocks. This is going to be a beautiful quilt when done.

Jill said...

Your block looks fabulous!!!

Peg - Happy In Quilting said...

Looks fantastic xxx

cajunquilter said...

I love the life is beautiful quilt. One day I just may tackle it. I am not a huge embroidery fan, but the quilt would be worth it.

Teresa said...

Oh my goodness, I love this. I can't wait to see how this progresses. The piece you trim out from under the stitched circle, will that be appliquéd against a solid background?