Wednesday 23 March 2016

Harrison Rose heads into the hoop

There was a little jostling in the hand quilting queue after I finished quilting my red CWB quilt - and Harrison Rose won out! It was going to involve something a little bit new and challenging for me - marking an entire quilt top before basting.
Dawn's pattern includes full quilting lines as on the antique original. My intention was to follow the pattern but my quilt is smaller (only 9 blocks instead of 16) so my border quilting pattern needed adjusting. And once I started adjusting there was no stopping! The antique quilt border has corner quilting like this (from Dawn's pattern plan)...
Looking at the heart motifs and this way of feathering around the corner - bit quirky and very charming but maybe not 'me'. I had a peruse of a very favourite, oh-so-inspiring, book of antique quilt patterns...

Inspired by a corner treatment in the book and a three pointed motif, I redrew a simple corner of feathers and made my own paper pattern from a roll of bake paper...

Then the quilt marking began - echoing that motif in the blocks...

Marking wreaths (traced from the pattern) and triple parallel lines across the blocks...
And now apologies for a bit of waffle about tools and batting - just because sometimes I get asked: 
In the past I have found the large triangle ruler is invaluable so scored lines don't wander off perpendicular - and used the same method here when drawing lines. Well worth the quick check of lining it up with the edges of borders and blocks as I draw along the edge long ruler.

The marker I am using? General's Sketch and Wash pencils. New to me but recommended by a blogger - I think it was Dawn herself but my memory is so shocking that could be wrong. I've had bad experiences with markers in the past (not washing out, marking poorly etc) so I bought these pencils last year and have had them 'handy' for this quilt. Before starting I did a wash test on an off-cut of my fabric - all good - washed off perfectly with a mild detergent in cold water. I have to say they are an absolute dream to draw with on fabric - so soft, no pressure needed to get a clear line, and no drag on the fabric at all! 
Preparing a wash test fabric strip

I've been a bit of a 'stick-in-the-mud' as far as batting goes - almost always use wool with a pretty high loft as it gives great definition to applique and has been easy to quilt - Quilters Dream being a favourite. But this time there is less applique and the quilt will be well washed. I thought I'd try cotton and was tempted by the promise of Quilters Dream cotton Request (for hand quilters) "stitch as close as needed and your quilt will remain soft and flexible" and achieve "the antique puckered look". Sounds good? Well - compared with the wool this is a very thin batting and I had my doubts about it when it arrived. But, being a trusting soul, I went ahead  - pin basted the quilt and started hand quilting. 
So far - I love it! It certainly quilts easily (just as did the wool), the quilting shows up well, and it is so light and soft to manoeuvre . I'm looking forward to washing it later to get that antique look. 

Indigo Circles is progressing - after a large prep catchup (again ) of the 2 inch blocks with foil wrapping method
Then we had a full day power cut - no ironing possible. So I went back to plain old needle turn of some 4 inch blocks and really enjoyed that method again.

The blocks are all pinned on my design wall and looking like a quilt in the making. 

Sarah Fielke BOM  - also growing gradually. To get an idea of how it might all look together  I placed a lot of the blocks on the floor in a random way  - not how they will end up but gives an idea of balance of colours. Not balanced yet but there is a long way to go...

Another little project completed - my new favourite pincushion - a free tutorial  Sunny Day Dresden pincushion. That could just be my first Dresden plate block ever - fun to make too. 

I used the same fabrics to match this purse made in 2013

Something I really enjoy (that isn't quilt related) is walking. There are so many benefits but enjoying the scenery is top of the list and makes exercise a pleasure. Walking and vehicle traffic do not mix well so I feel very lucky to have a few traffic-free options near home. This river walk (10km return track) is a favourite and perfect this time of year.

Feels and looks very rural but only just on the outskirts of town.

After exercise like that, a couple of hours sitting quilting ( or heaven forbid, looking at blogs) is guilt-free don't you think? 

48 comments:

  1. Always lovely to see your progress.

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  2. The quilting looks very good, like the changes you made. And the blocks for the Sarah Fielke bom are lovely. greetings

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  3. Thank you for sharing your method of marking your quilts before quilting. It's always my most "unloved" task, although nowadays I don't often hand quilt anymore. The Quilter's Dream Cotton Request is my go to batting too, also for machine quilting as it is - as you said - easy to handle and doesn't add bulk under the machine. Your projects all look amazing, I adore your fussy cut circles. You live in a very picturesque area and walking along a river is always wonderful.

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  4. I always enjoy hearing about your processes and your progress! It can be challenging to make the quilt design fit the quilt but it's thoroughly satisfying. I feel like getting my hand quilting out again now.....it's been a long summer. Love your circles and how you've added different sizes.....and the hexagon purse....and the Dresden. You are a clever and busy girl!

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  5. Gorgeous projects and great advice as usual! Thanks for the tip about the marking pencil, I will give them a try, my current hand project is marked with chalk which I have to keep remarking in stages as it keeps rubbing off! I was so worried about pencil not washing out that I went too far the other way :)

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  6. Your post is just amazing, so much gorgeous needlework is hard to find all in one post. Very busy and talented person, I am in awe.
    Greetings,
    Sylvia

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  7. The quilting is looking real good. I never heard of those pencils. I don't think they are for sale here in the Netherlands.
    I also use always the wool and cotton from quilters dream. Both are quilting very fine and I also wash both. They come out wonderful.
    Great to see your Sarah Fielke blocks. I started last night after I finished my basket quilt.

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  8. Sometimes when a quilter has 2 great quilts to actually "finish" (I tend to say I finished when the top is completed but we all know that we still have to quilt it!) then change the scenery to another. Both of the quilts are unique in their own way. Love your projects. Glad you found a marker that works for you - it is frustrating when the marking will not come out. The walking part is great! Gets the endorphin's going!

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  9. There are so many comments I can make about your post! I may try that batting when quilting my AuntieGreen next year. I usually use wool, but may want a flatter look for her. I'm also loving my Sarah Fielke but have only done one of the applique blocks so far. What I'd really like to know is if you think these pencils would be nice for marking my applique pieces? I've been using Frixion pens for a while but am starting to feel like I should look for something new.

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  10. I love to see all of your progress on all of your projects and so many of them. do you have a name for the Sarah Fielke project? I wonder where it can be found. I have not heard of those pencils that you are using - I might do a search and see if they can be found in the states. I have not used the wool quilters dream batting but have used the select, request and the thicker one I have forgotten the name - it makes a good winter weight quilt. Of course love seeing the circles and how others are doing them as I am doing circles too

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  11. Always such beauty and inspiration comes from your blog! Truly magnificent! Just wish I could get half of what you do DONE! With house and yard chores, I am almost exhausted before I get started sewing..... I want to work on getting that in better order! Thanks for sharing your tremendous talents!

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  12. Your interpretation of Dawn's pattern is so lovely (our guild will host her later this year) and the handquilting you have started adds a new level of beauty to the quilt! Glad you mentioned the pencils and the fact they do not drag across the fabric when marking - so many of the very fine pencil leads seem to catch as you draw. Will have to check them out...Such a sweet pincushion - having such lovelies nearby while stitching just adds to the joy of what you do!

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  13. So fun to see your Harrison Rose project. The hand quilting is coming along nicely - the feather border is beautiful. Loved seeing all of your projects.
    Happy you like the new pencil and batting.

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  14. Wow Hilda - you have done so much gorgeous quilting on this project already - your needle must just fly!! I love your corner feathered pattern :0) I think you will really like the Dream request cotton. I've never marked a whole top before starting before either - I imagine that took some time. I will have to check out those pencils. Your pincushion is darling - I love it! Your BOM blocks look marvelous as well - the applique adds so much.

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  15. So many beautiful projects--I'm feeling so inspired! Your work is lovely! I'm all about blue, so your circles are a favorite of mine and I love the Dresden pin cushion too. I have a small Dresden made up and now I finally know what to do with it--LOL!

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  16. Your projects are all so beautiful! And I have a little Dresden plate circle I intended for a pincushion but couldn't get the sizing right. Your link is exactly what I needed! Thank you.

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  17. Those indigo circles are superb! love them : )
    Also like that cutie pin cushion too, you've made it beautifully.

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  18. I love reading your blog Hilda, and thanks for all the info. Saves me asking....haha! I love the look of your 'antique' quilt you are quilting at the moment.Your circles quilt is gorgeous also. I must get some more of Sarah blocks made.

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  19. Thank you for sharing the information on those marking pencils and your experience with the cotton quilt batting! I love how your Indigo quilt is progressing. Your Sarah Fielke blocks are beautiful, you are making wonderful progress on this. And your Dresden pincushion turned out wonderful! You've been wonderfully busy with all these terrific projects.

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  20. So much good stuff to look at in your post. Thanks for the tip about the pencils. I have never tried them but will look for them. You are going to do some beautiful quilting with all those feathers around the border. Do you have a tip about stitching the feathers so there is not a lot of stopping and starting?

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  21. Ahh! A big sigh from me. Your blog is something special along with your stitching.

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  22. You do such lovely quilting. I wish there were more blogs out there like yours. I admire and am inspired by your hand quilting. I wish I could easily draw up feathers to use as a pattern like you do. It's something I need to do for the next quilt but I keep putting it off. Silly me.

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  23. I use Quilters Dream Request for all my quilting and love the way it needles and feels. Your feather quilting is beautiful. Love Indigo Circles and all your other projects. Looks like a great place to walk :)

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  24. Just when I think your blog can't get any more interesting, it does. Thank you for sharing your processes with us, esp about choices of batting, how you get your quilting designs worked out, etc. And, just because I'm so generous, if you happen to want to get rid of that amazing circle quilt when it's done, I'll happily take it off your hands! It's fascinating!

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  25. A lot of work to mark a whole quilt but now it is just pure stitching (quilting) fun. Indigo circles is turning out so pretty. All of your projects are lovely.

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  26. Thank you for sharing , I just love you blog and seeing what you are up to. You are amazing with all that you achieve.

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  27. Always achieving such a lot. You are an inspiration ! Love that walk by the river I hope theirs no crocs.

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  28. You are sooo busy but I'm sure you love it !! :)))) Thank you for sharing Hilda for my great plaesure ...I love to admire your progress ! Very inspiring for me ! ;)

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  29. Much inspiration again on your blog and beautiful works!
    Thank you for sharing your marking method - yesterday I went right away to buy
    some of these pencils!
    Best wishes!

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  30. All of your projects are fantastic! Just beautiful. I'm starting to collect bee fabric, and spotted a cute bee among your blocks!

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  31. What a wonderful post full of gorgeous things to look at. It's nice to have a quilt premarked. It makes the quilting go so quickly. I use Quilter's Dream Request all the time. It quilts up easily. Your indigo circles are so elegant looking. I really like how you've used different sizes. Nice touch. And you do have a beautiful area to walk. A bit of exercise does help justify sitting and stitching. :0)

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  32. What a wonderful things show you here!
    Gorgeous quilting and so beautifully the Indigo circle quilt.
    What beautiful things you do make.
    Greetings,
    Floor

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  33. Beauty, beauty everywhere! Your quilts are so inspiring to me! Seriously, how do you accomplish so much? Do you sleep? I guess if I would stay off of the computer and stop reading blogs I'd finish more quilts myself.

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  34. Thanks for all that you share on your incredible blog. You make it look so effortless. I have spent the last couple of weeks reading your entire blog....better than a novel!

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  35. My goodness you're a busy girl!! It's all looking wonderful (as usual!). It's just about time to get some hand quilting out down here too.........

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  36. Such an informative post about the drawing of the quilting motifs (love that book!), the marking pencils (I really do not know if I can get them here in Holland, but will keep an eye on it; are they available in colors for marking on dark fabrics as well?) and the batting! I am quilting with this cotton batting at the moment, and I like it, but I would love a little more definition... How beautiful your indigo circles will be, and Harrison Rose ofcourse, and the Sarah Fielke bom and... well, everything you make is a delight to look at! Thank you for this great post!

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  37. What a wonderful post! I read with great interest the products you find useful and your methods which you so generously share. I know it takes a lot of time to write such an informative post but so appreciated as you can see by the comments. Your present projects are gorgeous and I still return to admire your red quilt in the last post. Thank you.

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  38. Once again I find myself whirling with desire to just sit and stitch after reading one of your wonderful and inspirational posts. I am so very thankful for the tip of the General pencils and will surely give them a try. I use the white Sewline pencils on dark fabrics, but have a heck of a time finding marking pencils I like for lights. I have had some bad experiences with chemical pens and won't use them. I am looking forward to giving them a try. When you start quilting you really do march on. I can't believe how much you have accomplished already and it is lovely! I love the indigo circles and the Sarah Fielke thus far as well. I'll be thinking of your lovely river on my next walk in the Maine woods!

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  39. So much goodness here, where to start? I love the quilt marking you are doing. It is going to be another stunning quilt. I'm glad the batting is working out for you and is easily quilted.
    Your circles and BOM are coming right along and looking fabulous!

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  40. All of your work is just beautiful and inspiring! Makes me want to start yet another quilt project though!!! After seeing your photos of the Indigo Circles, I wish I would have joined in on that one. Still time, right? Thanks for sharing!

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  41. You are going to think I'm a stalker (just kidding), but I am so inspired by the quilts that you have made, and are currently stitching. I would love to ask a few questions, so I'm going to give you my email address and I would love to hear from you. I've also linked your blog over at my little blog... mhuddle@yahoo.com

    I have ordered the Harrison Rose pattern and already purchased the fabric. I can't wait to get started.

    Thanks for your inspiration- Michelle

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    1. Very happy to answer questions Michelle but the email you sent is not working for me 'unable to deliver mail' - sorry, but could it be wrong? You are also a non-reply blogger so can't reply to you that way either. I hope you enjoy the pattern - Dawn is always very helpful if you email her too :)

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  42. You have some lovely projects in the works!

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  43. I love your indigo circles ! That will be a beautiful quilt. And your hand quiting is gorgeous.

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  44. So many good things in the works around here! Love the colors you use, makes the projects look nice and dreamy.:) Your Indigo circles are looking fabulous!

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  45. Your quilts and quilting skills make me humble! A feast to the Eye! It is, they all are gorgeous!

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  46. Your blog is such a treat! I LOVE the indigo circles! And your adjusted quilting design looks lovely too. I have ordered those pencils, as I have used a Hera marker, but that is not suitable for those sort of lines. Thank you for your inspiration!

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  47. Your Benjamin Biggs quilt,is outstanding, as are all your quilts. I also love applique, have been downloading the BB patterns and can't wait to start it. What was the line of the red floral fabric you used for the larger flowers? Thank you for your tips on Quilter's Dream cotton. Looking forward to trying it, as I always have used wool batting, also.

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