Sunday, February 2, 2014

Practice, Practice, Practice and then Practice


I decided I wanted to hand quilt this Double Wedding Ring quilt. 


I've done big stitching in perle 5 on my Dandy Garden quilt. 

I've done big stitching in perle 8 on my Rainbow of Favorite Things quilt. 

I've done big stitching in perle 8 that was then laced (laced running stitch).  This quilt also had some finer hand stitching in the ditch.    (Grandma's Sewing Room/Spools quilt),

Last year I tried hand quilting with 20 wt thread on this ginormous (somewhere between queen and king sized) snowball/nine patch quilt.  I couldn't get used to using a thimble. I couldn't get the stitching motion right. I couldn't get used how the quilt should fit in a hoop.  And the stitches looked like basting when I was finished. So it sits in a crumpled heap up on the bed in the spare bedroom. 

Everytime I had a coupon I bought a different kind of thimble to try. None of them felt right. Some fell off my finger. Some slipped when I tried to push a needle with it. 

I finally found one I can work with.  It has a little ridge around the top. 

I have a hoop I like and I've learned not to pull everything taught like I do for embroidery. 

I've started out by stitching in the ditch between fabric strips on the arches.  My stitches are kind of hidden that way while I practice, practice, practice. I think I have the motions figured out and feel a little more confident.  Now if I could just see a little better...

I'm meeting up with other folks at Kathy's Quilts for some Slow Sunday Stitching. 

8 comments:

Carla A Few Of My Favorite Things said...

You had me giggling. I too had an assortment of thimbles. I too have a thimble with a big ridge around it. The only way to go. I love all the wonderful fabrics in your quilt, looks like spring time!

Wendy said...

Glad to know I am not the only one who has a thimble collection...are you quilting from the middle of the quilt out, or just where ever it suits you? this is going to be beautiful when you finish.

scraphappy said...

I use exactly the same thimble. I've tried several, but that one seems to work the best. Lovely quilt. Enjoy the stitching.

Tanya Quilts in CO said...

I don't use a thimble and never have. My fingertip is pretty tough and they never felt right. I love to quilt with perle cotton #8, in fact it is about the only thing I hand quilt with. Can't wait to see your progress!

Jill said...

I applaud you for not giving up. I have the same thimble. Sometimes i switch off to one of the soft ones. Sometimes it is better to have looser tension with quilt fabric in that frame. It is easy to adjust. The quilt is bright and cheery.

Gina said...

Well done on keeping at it. I love the photos of your big stitch quilting xxx

audrey said...

Wonderful work on your stitching! It does take practice doesn't it? I'm still practicing away myself.:)

Quilter Kathy said...

I love that same thimble with the ridge at the top. And I have a similar thimble collection :)
Hope you enjoyed your slow stitching...thanks for linking up!