Handstitched Progress

Last time on Handstitched...", I had just completed all the embroidery and was getting started on my Storm at Sea blocks.

I started by English Paper piecing one test block. It came together fairly nicely but (a)it was taking awhile and (b)I was having a heck of a time keeping the pieces centered. So I decided to machine piece them. This "shorter" method took an entire day and resulted in the square in square portions looking fantastic and the diamond pieces being...horribly skewed. I will have to figure out what I did. For the sake of this quilt though? I faked it.

I sewed small "filler" pieces into the gaps and made it work. Is it perfect? Nope. Is it visible from 3' away? Nope. Moving on. : )

The patchwork also took a double take. I had all my squares sewn into groups of 3 and up on my design wall before I realized...I kind of hated it. This a bad cell phone pic from when my camera was out of commission but it gives you can idea.

Handstitched Progress!

Last I posted, I was wending my way through the embroidery. I completed the half square triangles last weekend and made the executive decision to move onto the English Paper piecing before finishing the satin stitched squares.

I did this for a couple of reasons:

1. I was starting to get impatient because I'd fallen behind the class. Impatient stitching is not good stitching and other students are saying that each satin stitched square takes 2+ hours to complete so it's not something I could just knock out quickly.

2. I want to make sure I at least *try* each new skill while the class is going on so that if I have questions I can ask Rachael.

In the same vein as #2 above, I also selected and cut fabrics for just one Storm at Sea block, so I could try it out, learn from my mistakes, and then select fabrics for the remaining 3 blocks.



With the paper piecing, I am learning (as I do with each new handsewing skill) that simple in concept does not mean simple or brief in execution. I've already made a couple of rookie mistakes which I'll post about later once I can take some pictures to show what I did wrong.

I am still behind as the applique section of the class starts on Monday (!) but I'm hoping to get somewhat caught up before the hand quilting section. That gives me just 2 weeks for a whole lot of sewing, so that may be overly optimistic. Specifically, I would like to have my Storm at Sea blocks and Applique completed if nothing else. I am contemplating appliqueing shapes in with the embroidery instead of satin stitching. I love the look of the satin stitching, I'm just not sure I love the time. And appliqueing the shapes might allow me to move onto the hand quilting sooner....

Handstitched Progress

When last I updated I was eager to start the embroidery. Well start I have, finished I have not. Embroidery is lovely and relaxing. I can easily turn on some TED talks and lose myself in the stitching for hours on end. Which doesn't change the fact that when I stir out of a multi-hour sewing marathon...much more time has passed than my stitches seem to account for.

In other words, it's slow going but thoroughly enjoyable. I'm loving the results so far. Once I get all the half square triangles complete, then I will move on the the remaining squares which are satin stitched into quatrafoils. (Those are the truly time consuming blocks. Yikes!)

You can see the planned colors for the quatrafoils laid out here.

Hand Stitched Medallion

This weekend I finished the center section of my quilt for the Handstitched class. The little balls are perle cotton that I will use to embroider the white section. I'm excited at how nicely it's turning out and I'm looking forward to starting the embroidery once it is posted tomorrow!

I am especially proud of my inspiration to cut that outer border fabric on the bias so that (a) I would have long enough strips to miter the corners and (b) all the colors would show. The fabric usually looks like this.

Handstitching

As the first week of my class draws to a close, I'm happy to report that I'm making excellent progress. I have the needlebook nearly complete and the center medallion underway. I'm taking my time, enjoying the methodical process and pulling out stitches that I deem sub par. The end result is that I am very happy with the final results, but it is taking a bit longer than anticipated. This week I need to finish the needlebook, finish the "blind" stitch on the medallion, and add the borders to the medallion in prep for the next lesson...embroidery!

In addition to greatly enjoying the work itself, I've been super impressed with Rachael's class. The blog posts are detailed and filled with photos. The embedded videos are extremely polished and hugely helpful in catching the subtle details of some of the techniques. Being me, I've been peppering her with questions and she has responded to each one promptly and helpfully. I cannot say enough good things about her and her teaching methods. I'm going to have to just budget in money for all future classes because I'm loving this one that much.

Ready to Go

Today is the first day of "lecture" for the Handstitched class. Since I am in the Premium (mid level) class, my course includes videos. Rachael did an awesome job with the technical details--speaking clearly, following a logical outline, keeping the close ups in focus--as well as with her clear explanations. Even though today's videos were just covering the very basics (types of thread, how to use an embroidery hoop, how to tie knots) I learned several new things.

The picture above is my selection of fabrics for the quilt we will be making (along with multiple smaller projects) and I am so freaking excited to start stitching already. : ) Usually this initial burst of rah-rah-enthusiasm gives out after a bit and settles into a steadier commitment, but for now? BURSTING with excitement.

Gathering Supplies

I'm getting super excited about the handstitching class I'm taking this summer. Yesterday the first supply list went live and June 4th the lessons will begin in earnest. I took Rachael up on her offer of an essentially free (we paid only shipping and handling) supply kit which knocked out many of the smaller supplies (a small piece of felt, single ball of pearle cotton, single sheets of transfer paper, etc). Today I hit up my local quilt shop for the fabrics I would need for the sampler quilt. I had a lovely time oggling the fabrics and pulling together a palette I loved. While there I also purchased a 7" embroidery hoop and some additional pearle cotton.

I rounded out my supply gathering with a hera marker, cardstock (purchased after this photo was taken), and a nice order of Kona solids from Fabric Shack. The 4" embroidery hoop and water soluble pencil I had on hand. I still need some freezer paper but then I should be pretty well set. I will need to buy a few additional things for the balance of the projects. In part, this is because the project supply lists are revealed one week before the instructions are posted but the lion's share is out of the way.

One thing I am holding off on is the purchase of a thimble. I noticed that my local quilt shop had LOTS of choices, and I've heard that thimbles are hugely personal so I want to wait until I learn more about the options and see if I can finangle my way into trying a few. Do any of you use thimbles? What kind do you like?

A Sewing Summer

For years and years (and years and years), I've wanted to take a hand quilting class. I mean, yes, it's just sewing. Up and down and through and out. But I've wanted to see what tribal knowledge I could learn from a more experience sewist.

I've also been a reader over at Stitched in Color for a little over a year. I was recommended to her by another quilter and instantly fell in love with her rainbows and hand stitching and fresh aesthetic.

And now, these two data points have merged and produced something sublime...Rachel is teaching her second online class, Handstitched, which covers reverse applique, embroidery, English paper piecing, applique, and (you guessed it) hand quilting.

I couldn't sign up fast enough. Which means my June, July, and August shall be filled with small stitches, luscious color, and (hopefully) more than a few finished projects. I'm hoping the class format will provide enough motivation to keep me on track, but, just in case, I signed up for the Premium version which means I will get an e-book of all the projects at the end of the class. You know, in case I still need to finish something or want to make it again.

I am especially excited about the sampler quilt which will showcase each of these skills.

The paralyzing part? PICKING COLORS. Eeep. I figure I'll just take it one bit at a time. If I can decide a rough color scheme, that'll be enough to keep me going. I'm thinking I may go with turquoise/sea green/grays/with a bit of orange. I bought small cuts of lots of those colors in order to make some wall hangings for our bedroom, but I will have PLENTY of fabric left to do other things with. Plus, I know several people who like those colors, so if it doesn't stay with us, I can find it a good home.

If you are interested in joining in, head to this post for more details. There is a $10 discount on registration through the 16th!