Sunday, February 19, 2017

A little sleight of hand(work)

I recently realized that I haven't mentioned this quilt in quite a while.  I've been happily (and slowly) (very slowly) handquilting it for absolutely forever.


Little by little,


inch by inch,


I'm getting it done.  Well, the center part is almost done - then onward to the borders!
My quilting isn't what it used to be, between old eyes and creeping arthritis, but it means a lot to me to finish this by hand.  It's going to my youngest daughter when I finally get that last stitch in.

I really enjoy doing handwork, but I've been thinking a lot lately about coming up with a handwork project that's more portable than a gigantic quilt.  I go visit my kids often enough that it would be nice to have a suitable traveling project.
La Passacaglia is in the running, since I got Millefiori Quilts for Christmas and have been drooling all over the pages ever since.  But I've also been thinking along the lines of a simpler hexie quilt as a way to warm up to the precision of La Pass.  (See?  I can occasionally be sensible.  Sort of.)

Then I saw these blocks inspired by this quilt and fell head over heels in love.
So I took one of the diamonds for a test drive.


I'm using the flat back whipstitch to sew the hexies together, which has the advantage of the stitching being almost invisible  on the front.  It also seems to be easier to fit the hexies together by working with them flat, though that might just be me.


For the first diamond, I tried glue basting.  I'm going to use thread basting for the second one, then decide which technique I like better.


Oh, did I mention the size?


Yeah.  Wee little hexies.


Well, you know what I always say -
Go Small or Go Home.


I'm linking with Oh Scrap! at Quilting is more Fun than Housework, and at Slow Sunday Stitching (for the first time!) at  Kathy's Quilts.  Come see all the beautiful work!




16 comments:

Libby in TN said...

I can hardly do anything with my hands anymore. Knitting is totally out of the question, typing on the computer has its problems, even driving the car puts my hands to sleep. Not sure I could manage such tiny hexies, but they sure are cute!

Cynthia Brunz Designs said...

You just never know what crazy project you are going to read about here next. The good news is that they are always lovely! Thanks for linking up with Oh Scrap!

Wanderingcatstudio said...

Yup. It's official. You're insane.
But... at least you're having FUN!

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

Enjoy your hand quilting! I have not done much of it, but discovered I really enjoyed the "slow" process of it in my recent project. The new hexie project looks quite amazing. It would definitely be portable!

Magpie Sue said...

You're nuts. Guess I'll have to take my big 6" blocks and go home...

Linda @ kokaquilts said...

It's nice to have some hand quilting on the go, enjoy! I followed the link for that stunning hexi quilt, gorgeous florals!

deb @ frugal little bungalow said...

Lovely hand quilting and I checked out the links. That is some quilt; just amazing. I prep hexies just like I do applique...with the starch and iron. It goes pretty fast. So that's another option :) I take the papers out prior to stitching.

Julierose said...

You've been on quie a journey with your diamond hexagons--they are just lovely--it's so nice to have a hand project to come back to...hugs, Julierose

Quiltdivajulie said...

There are several in my Wed. group who are in love with EPP and hexies -- I admire but have no desire to participate as my hands just scream at me when I do too much by hand.

Chantal said...

Star Patch is such a beautiful quilt. Happy to see it again. Oh! and welcome to the crazy hexie club, lol. I too love the hexi diamonds Marie is working on. Have you notice the first three words in that post? Humm! Says a lot, right? lol. And while you are in the perfect state of mind, you can check out La Passion by Grit's Life on Pinterest, Google, whatever. It has been made in all colors combo I think. I am tempted; are you? Enjoy the insanity! From your crazy friend. ;^)

PaulaB quilts said...

I admire you for taking on such a tiny piecing project. You are doing a good job and will soon work out the best way to make it as easy as possible. Then you can just take off and have your hands busy. Keep up the good work!

Angie said...

Thanks for the link to the back whipstitch video! I'm ready to start some EPP....again. I'm in awe of your tiny pieces, but I've heard they're actually easier to work with. Hmmm...

Cathy said...

I just adore the little hexies but 6 inch ones were all I could handle. Excellent idea for a mobile project.

And, Oh...I remember that quilt. Glad you are moving it along. And I also know the joys of failing eyesight and creeping arthritis (and carpal tunnel from years working at a keyboard). I am not getting old, I am not getting old, I am not getting older!

Janie said...

Beautiful hand work!
Thanks for sharing.

Kate said...

Such a pretty quilt. Love your new diamond hexie project. Those are tiny!

Mystic Quilter said...

Love the "old eyes and creeping arthritis", I think lots of us have the same problem! Good luck with the continuing hand quilting and oh those hexagons! I have Feathering the Nest 2 and lover work, sadly I doubt I can manage some of the applique patterns - I look forward to seeing your quilt come along.