Welcome to the weekly hand stitching link up! We celebrate all types of hand work and enjoy seeing what is being created by hands all around the world...
slow and steady, one small stitch at a time!
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| Block #3 of the Hand Stitching Quiltalong |
You can hop over to the block #3 link up here and see the 60+ versions of this block that hand piecers have made!
Here are my first 3 hand stitched blocks in the project. We started with simple squares at the top block, progressed to triangles in the block on the right, and the last block was flying geese on the left. I am loving these Clover black gold needles for hand piecing. And I am delighted with how this block came together while I visited with my sister-in-law yesterday. She talked, I listened and stitched, and we survived another February day!
So ... what are you hand stitching to get you through the long winter days? Link up your blog post below about your project and share your hand work with us.
Some lovely hand stitching seems to be the panacea for many a freezing February day. It does sound very chilly there. That is amazing that there was no salt or sand to be found anywhere. Your new block is pretty, but then all three blocks look fabulous. If your freezing weather keeps up you will have all your hand pieced blocks finished in no time.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to keep an eye out for those needles. I have a hard time taking more than one stitch at a time on my hand-piecing, maybe I can blame my needles😉
ReplyDeleteThose little blocks are so tiny and very cute. Ive never heard of those needles I might see if I can look out some. It doesn't surprise me you couldn't buy salt or sand. In the UK we have a sprinkle of snow and everyone seems to panic buy and we have no where near the harsh winters that you get!! In the meantime keep taking one stitch at a time and keep safe and warm!
ReplyDeletesorry you have run out of salt or sand for the ice. A couple years ago we bought too many bags of sand as we almost always get ice so I had my husband dump the bags of sand in a 5 gallon pail and we keep it on the porch tucked away from other things so it is out of the way and I keep a trowel by it so it is ready - have not needed it so far but winter is not over even here. Love the soft colors you are using for your hand piecing
ReplyDeleteWell, here I am sitting having my morning cup of tea and reading blogs. I alway look forward to these Sunday mornings all week long. I've already been out in the 10 degree Maine winter with my dogs to feed the horses. Then curl up for my blog time. I recently started to follow this blog, but usually just skim thru the posts. Blah, blah, blah, who wants to hand piece? Right? But remember this is Sunday and my morning to take time to enjoy each and every blog as opposed to seeking information. (What can I say, I'm quite analytical). I started quilting 30+ years ago, making pieced and appliqués quilts. Now it seems I make exclusively machine pieced quilts as my family is very large and I have a long list of planned quilts to check off. Yes, planned. I know I'm the odd man out but I typically start a new quilt as soon as the binding is machine sewn on.... I may still have to do the hand sewing part then I can start a new quilt. I used to have a huge backlog of unfinished quilts but after many years of it driving me crazy, I realized I was causing the distress to myself. Therefore, I discovered that having a Very Specific goal for each quilt (even if I have to manufacture it) keeps me focused on that goal. Birthday, baby shower, new home, etc. Manufactured means I'll even throw a party knowing that I want to gift a person with a quilt that day. So, this method works well for me but (yes, the but) I only machine quilt now. We are in the process of moving to a smaller bedroom as a son recently was able to move out into his new home. We are moving to that bedroom which will allow my beautiful large bedroom to become my quilt room. Since the "new" bedroom is quite small it is being repainted and some small construction needed. Going for soft neutrals to help with the size. Therefore, I am in the process of planning a decor that will complement all the neutral. OMG, I haven't done any needlework in at least 20 years. Yup small counted cross stitch, etc will be perfect in that room. I fell in love with a kit last night and ordered it. What was I thinking....... I have to sit still andLY stitch. Haha. As I have been contemplating our new room and what I want it to say, I SLOWLY came to the realization that having a hand project would be perfect. Now this morning I'm reading this Great post. Fun, encouraging, and engaging it pulled back in time to when I first started quilting... that was before rotary cutters. I cut my templates from cereal boxes, like my Grandma Knowles did. Then I discovered quilters plastic for templates. Lol, it was easier to hand piece than try to match the drawn lines on the fabric with machine sewing. And blessings to my intact memory, I recently recalled all of my first several quilts were hand quilted. Yikes, that was a long time ago. My machine quilts are gorgeous. But did I throw the proverbial baby out with the bath water? Sorry for the long post but I want to let you now how some posts affect others. (I constantly told our boys, "Everything you do either directly or indirectly effects everyone around you".). Your posts that I had quickly skimmed by may have spoken to my brain over the past few weeks or so. Anyway, it was a slow dawning that I Need to have a hand project again. I have kept a vintage line drawing from Dover Books (copyright free) that I have always want to "someday" make into a soft vintage looking medallion wall quilt. So, with this well placed nudge that you gave me I'm heading off to design the center square. And I already have a great fabric bag I made years ago to keep my project in for convenience. I had forgotten how I always had a hand sewing project for when I took a quick break or the evenings. Bless you so much for igniting a passion that I had forgotten about. I really mean it as I can only guess the time and effort it takes to prepare and write up a blog. No small thing. Hugs!!
ReplyDeleteIt always makes me feel calm to do these blocks and other hand stitching too!
ReplyDeleteYour blocks are so pretty - I like the fabrics you chose! Thanks for the needle recommendation. I'll have to see if I can find those for my hand-piecing.
ReplyDeleteI think any type of stitching is helpful in getting through the winter, be it quilting, knitting, crocheting, or cross stitching...there's just something special about working with your hands that helps. LOVE all your tiny piece togethers and hope the weather improves for you soon. We've been way to cold, and at the moment no snow or ice, but doubt we're done with it. Come on Spring.
ReplyDeleteSandy's Space
Lovely quilt blocks.
ReplyDeleteCatherine
I love your hand stitching. Right now I can't even hold fabric with my right hand so I am cross-stitching which I can slowly do one-handed. It really gives me a sense of peace when I am stitching.
ReplyDeleteCold and snowy cold here in Ontario,OR too!!! Your hand stitching is beautiful. I don't think I could do that. Thanks for the linky.
ReplyDeletePretty, pretty blocks, Kathy.
ReplyDeleteI am enjoying the quilt along very much. Your blocks look grande and am so glad they are helping you thru this gloomy weather. I have already started a new quilt to use up scraps that I am hand piecing something I can do year round in any weather and anywhere.
ReplyDeleteYour blocks look great. I am saving the block info but have not started yet.
ReplyDeleteLast year, there was a shortage of ice melt here. Luckily, my work was able to purchase a double load so the employees could take some.
You are doing a great job Kathy!
ReplyDeleteKathy, your blocks are as beautiful as always! I love your work! Sorry about your weather and I hope the sun can shine again soon!
ReplyDeleteYou blocks are wonderful, hand piecing a quilt is how I usually make a quilt it is so calming to make stitch after stitch. FYI regular table salt can be used on the icy spots if necessary. When I lived in the northern states many a time I had to use table salt and once I used potting soil which is messy but it does the trick on icy steps.
ReplyDeleteYour blocks are stunning! Wow, so very accurate! I missed your link up, but still enjoyed visiting fellow slow stitchers! Thank you for hosting!
ReplyDeleteBlocks look great! Thanks for linking up with the Hand Pieced QAL!
ReplyDeleteIf you can't find sand or salt, try looking for chicken grit. It does nothing for melting ice, but does give traction. And doesn't hurt the birds if they eat it. I've not yet attempted hand sewing quilt blocks - but am in the process of hand quilting a large quilt. I have to be in the right mood for that.
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