In case you think I whipped them up easily - not true I'm afraid. There were a few fabrics unpicked and changed to get the balance I was happy with, and I'm still not sure...but enough meddling now!
It was a relief to leave them alone and get back to more 'secret gift' Auntie Green stitching - so calming in the neutrals. I think a few close up snippets in a collage is not giving too much away?
For this I am working with appliqued 1/4 inch bias tape stems and back basted prep needleturn for the rest.
Hand quilting practice is going pretty well on my Four Block applique quilt. I have experimented with various devices designed to help reduce pain in the hands - so much so that I felt like Edward Scissorhands at times (great movie but the hands could be awkward and dangerous to coordinate!).
Persistence is the key with these gadgets and I'm desperate - desperate to find a comfortable method.
In the left hand under the hoop I have the TJ quick quilter - no more sore finger tip and it seems to make my stitches more even in size (always a bonus) - love it.
I know gadgets are a very personal thing so this is just what works for me. I should tell you that I have 'knobby' arthritic fingers (no I am not going to show you - believe me - not pretty) so getting a thimble to fit and to stay on is a challenge.
On the right hand I have an open adjustable thimble - love the tip for pushing the needle through. Also in the right hand is the yellow needle puller. It took a while to adjust to this but I now think it is brilliant. Previously I had tried different sizes of silicon and rubber thimbles (on thumb and forefinger) to help with needle pulling and they did the job well. But, because of my very knobbly finger joint, they either fell off or cut off the circulation (visualise finger tip turning blue by stages).
We went on a family bush walk south of Sydney at the weekend - was lovely to spot spring flowering Australian flora such as this flannel flower (or Actinotus helianthi 'Starbright' if you must know) native to Sydney. The petals and leaves are as soft as felt - hence the name 'flannel' .
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| Flowers about 2 inches across |
I am so loving your red version of the CWB - your fabric choices are so creative and workmanship so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteYour work is so lovely. I love the fabric you used for the leaves next to the cherries in the CWB block. They look like they sparkle with jewels. I will have to try some of the quilting tools you use. My hands don't turn blue but they do go numb.
ReplyDeleteI love how your having fun with your fabric. It makes those Civil War Bride blocks a one of a kind. I'm glad you've been persistent trying to find whatever works for you and your fingers to continue hand quilting. Thanks for sharing the unusual Austrailian flora. What a wondeful world.
ReplyDeleteI love your berries - so nice fussy cut. I too go through gadgets, some times they work and sometimes they don't - I have bad fingers and hands too.
ReplyDeleteYou have so many shades of red to use on your Bride blocks. They look so good.
ReplyDeleteWow love your work especially the red quilter....I am largely a hand quilter and I find that quilting without a hoop is my only relief from pain in the arm, hand and shoulder. I make sure I stop every 30 miutes and stretch my fingers right back towards my wrist, this helps greatly.
ReplyDeleteYour work is so beautiful I would have never guess you were plagued by arthritis. Your quilts will never tell. Wonder if we have needle pullers in Canada? I'll look it up for sure because that's the part that stops me from spending hours at the frame. Thanks for sharing these wonderful quilts. Your fussy cut is amazing.
ReplyDeleteOh my, love, love, love the contrast between your red quilt and your neutral quilt! How perfect to be able to switch back and forth depending on your mood! Really interesting to see the different prints you use together in one block. Very inspirational.:)
ReplyDeleteGorgeous work on your Civil War Bride blocks. You have set yourself a difficult task by doing it all in reds, but boy is it gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteAs are your other projects too.
And once again I wonder: do you ever sleep? ;)
The reds are really wonderful in your CWB blocks! So glad to hear that the spoon is helping you and you are happy with the results. I used to use the aunt becky but moved to the spoon last winter. I have heard some just use a demitasse spoon as they do wear out!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite is the the little berries with the swirl...they look like tiny little peppermints...so pretty. Glad that you are having luck with the HQ.
ReplyDeleteOh, my gosh, your Red Bride will be beautiful! Great fabric choices!
ReplyDeleteDear Hilda, I'm so sorry for your athritis because I know it's not easy to realize "the perfect job" with it, but you did it !
ReplyDeleteYour work is as usual : amazing ! The fussy cutting inspired you and all the blocks are awesome !
Bravo :)
Really loving your red Civil War Bride. All your fussy cutting is just perfect especially those strawberries. They look so real. Always amazed how you take a pattern and make it your own.
ReplyDeleteEXQUISITE!!! Just lovely!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for showing your pictures is such detail. I haven't actually started applique yet, just done lots of research and this is method I want to use. Your blog showing your work is such an inspiration for using this method. Beautiful work.
ReplyDeleteYour Civil War Bride blocks are just beautiful! I also love to see a sneak peak at your lovely Auntie Green - so soft and pretty :0) I'm glad you are finding tools that work for you so you can handquilt again. I hope you are enjoying it!!
ReplyDeleteYour applique is so beautiful! I especially love the little circles that look like peppermints. I am so happy to hear that you have found a hand quilting method that is comfortable for you. Your stitches look perfect! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI have said it before, but you are so amazing! The CWB blocks are so beautiful! It will be a stunning quilt.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely fabulous. Your work is so inspiring. I hope the hand quilting is working for you, I have now got very sore hands every morning, which I attribute to the hand quilting. Grrrrr. I'm sharing your blog link again with my appliqued group, they MUST see "the bride wore red".
ReplyDeleteVery, very pretty applique. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYou have some very fun projects going. Fantastic working with color themes. Your hand quilting looks great. I know what you mean about all the gadgets. It's coming along great.
ReplyDeleteYour work is fantastic.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you are persevering in your quest to keep hand quilting. Your neutral blocks are wonderful as are your red blocks.
ReplyDeleteOnce again you have created stunning blocks for CWB. I love your fabric choices, especially the spiral pattern for the grapes and the bird fabric just looks amazing. Thanks for sharing some more glimpses of AG she is growing beautifully. I've also been using the back basting technique recently. All the best for your hand quilting solutions.
ReplyDeletebeautiful work on the BOP and the neutrals are lovely too!
ReplyDeleteyour quilting stitch looks really great.
You amaze me with all you manage to get done even despite your poor fingers. The red Blocks are gorgeous and you know already that I love the Aunty Green in neutrals. It looks like you have the hand quilting gadgets sorted for now, enough to do some lovely quilting. Thanks for showing all that you've been doing, it's such an inspiration.
ReplyDeleteI'm new to your blog and find it SO inspirational :) Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThe red blocks are beyond gorgeous!! And I love the neutrals! I have a question...do use the back basting method for all your applique blocks?? I've never tried this method. I'm going back to needle turn after experimenting with the glue method.
WOW that is one beautiful quilt and red and white just makes my heart melt.
ReplyDeleteYour red and white blocks are so beautiful. Such clever use of value and fabrics. I hope your gadjets work and help you quilt. You might come up with a new super way of quilting.
ReplyDeleteYour red blocks are gorgeous - love the fabric choices! Hope the new bits and bobs help with the quilting.
ReplyDeleteYour fussy cutting is inspired!! Stunning blocks! Those berries are amazing!
ReplyDeleteLooks like you are giving everything a good go so you can keep on with hand quilting. I admire your persistence and determination..and beautiful quilting!!
Have you tried the Thimble Lady's method for hand quilting? I think I read her method is supposed to be pain free.
I have just started getting arthritis in my fingers. Your beautiful work shows me I will still be able to keep on sewing!
What a wonderful post! Loving the red and white Civil War Bride! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWhat an incredibly inspirational post.
ReplyDeleteYour red hex quilt is absolutely stunning! I have made a version of this quilt also and I'm starting a smaller one soon. Yours is so unique and incredible.
Your quilting is lovely as always. It was interesting to me that you do all the outlining then back fill. I usually work in sections, but I'll have to think about this next time I start a hand quilting project.
I'm chuckling, because I see I commented on this post before, ha ha I guess I'm back for a second helping.
I just "stumbled " onto your blog and I am speechless! What an amazing talent you have. I want to re-create everyone of your quilts.. esp this CWB in reds. Will be following you intently from now on...
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