Tuesday 9 February 2016

Busy working on the learning curve

This month's SVBAQ block is the Tulip A-5
Not too tricky to applique and I love the pattern.

It set me thinking about the many skills involved in making quilts and the very many different ways we make them. Many learning curves that look a bit like this graph. The plateau is where we'd like to be - that comfortable spot at the top. Doesn't mean we are 'the best in the business' - just at our own 'happy' point.

(image borrowed from mind-muffins blogspot)
I'm on a comfortable plateau with hand applique - not perfect, but good enough to make it a happy process. Totally addicted to the process actually ! 

English Paper piecing (EPP) is another technique I love - never really had a 'slow beginning' phase - just charged straight on up that slope as the whole process suited me so well. My first project was the queen sized Cream Tea in 2011 (pictured in my Header). 

And hand quilting? Well I had a very, very 'slow beginning' phase that lasted about 20 years LOL!  and then last year I rediscovered it with new tools, different technique and hit the 'steep acceleration' stage in a big way. I'm now thinking I may have reached my 'plateau' and am totally addicted to that process too. It's not a judgeworthy plateau but it is my happy point.

We all have our own skills and different 'happy points' don't we?

As I mentioned in January , this year I'm hoping to hit that learning slope with American piecing ( as distinct from EPP or Foundation Paper piecing).  There are huge gaps in my knowledge in this area and that is why I signed up to Sarah Fielke's BOM. 
So - how's it going? Definitely on the 'slow beginning' phase but enjoying it. 

Sarah gave us a bonus video on making a block book - great idea and great tutorial. First to make a design to decorate the front of my book. I went with a combination of EPP, applique and quilting - staying in the comfort zone here :) 




And here's my book:

While I was motivated I also made a portable block pad too - to make sure my block pieces stay in the correct places while stitching. It is just a piece of strong cardboard and scraps of batting stuck on the front but very useful now:


Here it is in action with the 12 inch Churn dash block - first month's pattern pieces cut out (with great care) and laid out ready to stitch.

I decided to try hand piecing but how to mark the seams for accuracy? Rummaging in a drawer I found a handy block tool that seemed made for the job - don't know how many years this has been lurking in there LOL! It allows clear dots to be marked at corners with 1/4 inch allowance. Then I penciled in seam lines too - taking no chances here. The prep was slow but I think it paid off as the blocks came together quite well.



First month's work - a 12 inch Churn dash and two 6 inch stars - not bad for the Beginners slope?


I'm using a combination of solids, prints, toiles and some linen for texture. They're mostly from the stash but the beautiful Le Marais toile is a new addition. My colour theme is what you might call 'Antique English' - based on a Pinterest session where I pinned pictures of antique English quilts (with the look I liked) on a board. Here is a sample screenshot of my pinning.


Quilting on my Civil War Bride quilt is going surprisingly quickly - now I'm doing the background. Thanks so much for all your thoughts on what might work for the background fill. I decided a half inch cross hatch would be good. But when I started it (just a few diagonal lines) I loved the look of that and left it there! So the background to all the  blocks is now finished - 1/2 inch diagonal lines. And I am working on a double parallel line in the border. 

border quilting 
There are some larger applique pieces that need a little extra quilting too. I tried some stippling on a table cloth - just single stitches placed at random and carried through the layers:

...and some 1/4 inch parallel lines on a vase : 

...and this vase is about to get some curving lines. See the lines marked with the hera marker?

Phew - sorry for the long waffling blog post. Might be overcompensating for tiny snapshots on Instagram! 
Have a good stitching week.

37 comments:

  1. All of your projects are lovely. You say you are learning 'American piecing', that's a new terminology to me and I'm an American! Is it another name for piecing by hand?

    Your quilting looks very nice. Thanks for the nice long post. I enjoyed the catch-up. Blessings, Gretchen

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  2. Your tulip block is very pretty. I finished mine too and will be linking up on the sew along blog. Your CWB is looking fantastic with all the wonderful hand quilting texture. I like block holders too. Mine is a roll I made years ago, maybe time for a new one?? Enjoy your hand piecing!

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  3. Hello Hilda !
    Your applique block is amazing as usual !
    I saw on IG your progress in quilting your CWB and no doubt that it will be gorgeous ! What determined quilter you are ! Congrats to you !

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  4. From where I'm looking your applique looks pretty much perfect! Aren't these block books handy? I've made one for myself years ago as well as some portable block pads and I'm using them all the time. I have a drawer full of notions and rulers I've never used, I'm sure one of them will come handy one day as it has for you ;)! Your new quilt is going to be amazing I can already tell and great progress on the Civil War Bride!

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  5. I always find your posts so interesting. Funnily enough, I started with piecing and hated applique. All my early quilts are hand pieced, and I blanket stitched rather than needle turn. Now I'm the reverse and love EPP and applique. I think you will be fine with piecing as precision and preparation are the keys to a good result. I love how your block reflects the colours in your pinned pictures, a great method. I also love your straight lines of quilting.....I think I might be a fan of yours!

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  6. Your blogposts are never too long really, as I enjoy them so much. I am on a comfortable plateau with applique, broderie perse and piecing, but the handquilting...still slow beginnings. And when I see your handquilting on the CWB it makes me so much wanting to reach this level! Well, I think I must get practizing a lot more. Love your pieced blocks and especially the colors you choose for them! And what a handy, lovely block-book!

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  7. I too am wondering what "American Piecing" is? I have not heard that term before - I use to lay my blocks out like you are doing with the felt board when I was making my Dear Jane quilt. I love the quilting that you are doing for the Civil War quilt. As always I love all the projects you are working on. I have not seen that ruler you are working with but it looks like a handy choice for marking your seams for hand stitching.

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  8. I love your 'waffling' Hilda! Trouble is I always get to the end too quickly! Wonderfully inspirational is what I call it. Just what I needed!

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  9. You can waffle anytime. There are so many different techniques for achieving the same results. It's nice to find some that match each of our skill sets. Always love seeing your CWB quilt. Your persistence is at peak performance.

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  10. Every time I see your Bride's quilt, it makes me want to do one in the reds and whites. It is a beautiful quilt. Will you enter it into a show?

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  11. Once again, a thought provoking and very timely post. I have been thinking a lot lately about my "learning curve" and where I should go from here. It is always nice to have one of my babies come home from a big show with a beautiful ribbon attached. That being said, I truly make quilts because I enjoy the process and I show my quilts because I like to share what makes me happy with other quilters. I am somewhat happy with my hand applique stitch and very comfortable with my hand quilting stitch. My big upward learning curve now is to begin practicing on my machine work. We'll see how long my enthusiasm lasts. Thank you for another great post. Your American piecing is beautiful and I love how your lovely hand quilting is progressing.

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  12. Love your block board and toile fabrics! I joined Sarah's BOM to get better on my machine :) I love hand piecing (both English and American) I found Jinny Beyer's hand piecing book excellent when I was learning a few years ago.

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  13. What a wonderful post! It really is encouraging to suggest the learning curve idea. But your work is so beautiful, definitely inspiring to me. I love that block board idea and will be doing it. I also want to check out the American piecing as I've never heard of that. So thank you and happy stitching!

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  14. Your workmanship is so beautiful, I know your BOM is going to be perfect!

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  15. I love seeing CWB in your quilting floor stand-it would probably be an accent piece in my home just like that-forever in the floor stand. Beautiful work.

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  16. Such a beautiful post. Hilda you do the most amazing work! Your block book is lovely. I love your color palate for your new project. Your first block looks perfect. The quilting on your CWB quilt is fabulous. It looks gorgeous in your standing hoop. You amaze me at how fast it progresses. You will have a finished Bride quilt soon. I love the double parallel lines in the border. And the applique block at the beginning of your post is beautiful as well. Thanks for all of the inspiration this morning!!

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  17. I enjoyed your thoughts about the learning curve. The happy point is definitely a comfortable place to be once we finally get there! Looking forward to seeing more of the Sarah BOM. The colors are fabulous. And as always, I am thrilled to see your lovely red CWB quilt. It only gets better every time you post.:)

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  18. Cross-hatching is perfect for this quilt. Love heavily quilted quilts!

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  19. Thanks for a lovely long post, I too am more than happy for you to 'waffle on' :) I'm a true believer in life long learning and that there's always more to learn especially from other quilter's like you. Your fabric choices are always so wonderful and inspiring. I hope you enjoy your American piecing, I much prefer this method over EPP, you might become a convert!

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  20. Interesting post and I like your description of "happy point" vs. plateau! I always try to do the best work that I can. I think that even when we plateau there are always tiny little improvements that happen! Your CWB is looking spectacular; the quilting truly enhances all of your lovely applique.

    I had never heard the term American piecing and had to look it up. In Canada we just call it piecing whether done by hand or by machine!

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  21. Like so many others, the term American piecing was unfamiliar. You are gifted on all levels though and your pleateau gives us motivation. Love the fabric you chose for your hexies that make up the book cover. And how nice to see the directional quilting lines in your CWB - it is what I chose to do in my Cherry Tree quilt but my lines are farther apart - I should have gone narrower! Your newest SVBQ block is lovely.

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  22. You have conquered so many techniques. I also love that you find a comfort zone and just keep going. So many fail as they want perfection and you and I know there is no such thing in quilting. However the more we practice and learn it really becomes quite natural to be talented with a needle. I guess that is why I love hand work so much! Love how the diagonal lines look on your civil war bride. I haven't found any time yet this week to quilt but plan a big day of it tomorrow.

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  23. Thank you for the lovely long post, I enjoy each one. SVBQ is progressing beautifully and the CWB is wonderful, love the fabrics and colours and your quilting decisions. Thank you for sharing.


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  24. So many lovelies. Wish it could see them all in person, your talent shine through each and every one.

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  25. So nice to see all your progress. I have always thought I should try a hera marker, but have never bought one. Maybe when I'm in my local quilt shop on Saturday I should have a look for one.

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  26. Just curious, what were the new tools that helped your progress with hand-quilting?

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  27. Your Tulip block is beautiful!
    I really enjoyed reading about your skill level curve.
    Your book turned out fabulous for holding your Sarah Fielke sew along blocks.
    Wonderful that you are hand piecing them!
    Your quilting progress is just stunning on your CWB. I love watching it all evolve.

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  28. I hope you don't mind, Hilda...I've featured you in my blogpost this morning. You are very inspiring!

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  29. Sometimes it's a battle on that first curve. I have done a little and do enjoy it but haven't landed on a favorite method. I decided to join you on the SVAB.Seems that the first block(pineapple), the first pieces are so small. Just yesterday I was trying another method, glue basting. Maybe this will work. I just know if I get past these little parts, the rest should be better. Love your posts. Like having a jogging buddy on the marathon!

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  30. Wonderful post! Your tulip block is beautiful and the parallel quilting on the CWB's quilt is the perfect filler :) I didn't know there was something called American piecing, lol! Have fun!

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  31. When you say American Piecing Hilda, I take that as hand piecing. Is that what you mean? If it is then your Australian Bridget Giblin is a great source. I am hand piecing a Trip Around The World that she organised.
    Can you tell me how you mark you quilts for HQ. Do you mark before basting or as you go. Your applique looks pretty close to perfect to me!

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  32. Great tulip block.
    You know I am beginning to think Australia has more hours in their days than we have here in the states.
    I finally chose my fabrics for the Sara Fielke BOM. I can’t believe you are had stitching yours, well yes I can. It must be all those extra hours.
    Outstanding work as always.

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  33. Amazing! Pretty soon you'll be an expert at all areas of quilting, piecing and applique!! Your photos are so pretty. I wish I could make mine look as nice.

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  34. Thanks for sharing all your gorgeous project photos, I love to see your work :)

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  35. Such an interesting post. I think about learning curves too especially when I'm teaching a new quilter. There are multiple ways to do things, and everyone find their comfort zone, hopefully. There is so much room in this wide world of quilting for every style and technique! I have been contemplating the Sarah Fielke quilt along. Your color scheme for that is beautiful!

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  36. Your quilting choices are spot on (as always)!!

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  37. Wow... I just discovered your blog and just love the quilts you make!
    There is so much to see.

    I would like to write about it on my own blog. And would like to use some of your photo's, if that is allright with you.

    Nice greetings,
    Willeke

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