Sunday, July 12, 2020

Chicken Scratch



I dug out an old UFO, Grandma's Apron Strings, that I started back in 2015, I thought all I had to do was finish piecing the fancy chicken scratch sashing, assemble the blocks and I'd have a top (and an empty box). 

But the other day when I went to assemble the blocks I realized I had SEVEN rows of six blocks (42 blocks total) and evidently I thought when I did the original chicken scratch that I had SIX rows of six blocks (36 blocks total).  

Darn! I have to chicken scratch 13 more sashing pieces. Darn! Darn! Darn! I knew this was not going to be quick and easy. 
 
Ok, might as well start so I can finish.  (Don't throw it all back into that box, please).

I'm not sure I have enough Blanc embroidery floss and I think the little card of floss is mislabeled (gosh, I thought I never made mistakes 😇) as Blanc.  But, I'll never find out if I don't get started. (Don't put it all back in the box, please). 

Just a little FYI - chicken scratch embroidery is also called depression lace, Amish embroidery and snowflake embroidery. 

23 comments:

Beth French said...

Love your sashing and those kitchen theme blocks! Can't wait to see the finished quilt.

Created by Kathi said...

Such a fun quilt this will be when finished... love the chicken scratch.. it is worth the effort and I love your layout with the cornerstones :) Kathi

Kathy S. said...

Yikes. That's a lot left to do, but you got this. That's why it's called Slow Stitching. My grandma used to make beautiful aprons. I'm lucky to have a few of them. Happy stitching.

Linda said...

I remember when you started this project because I had never heard of Chicken Scratch. Goodness me, I’ve been following (haunting?) you for a lot of years!

---"Love" said...

I"m glad you decided to finish this one; it will be beautiful! I still have some aprons my mom made with chicken scratch. ---"Love"

gayle said...

Oh, I'm glad to see this quilt out in play again! That sashing is fiddly, but it's going to be so worth it! (Don't put it all back in the box, please).

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

This is a cool idea!!

djquilting said...

Brings back so many memories although we still have little ladies doing chicken scratch here in Alabama. Can't wait to see this one finished.

Quilter Kathy said...

So happy to see this project!
My mother-in-law used to stitch this on aprons, and my favourite aunt chicken stitched table cloths! Thanks for the very happy memories this blog post gave me today!

cspoonquilt said...

That's very elaborate sashing. Tho' I've seen it I've never heard the term "Chicken Scratch" embroidery. I'm sure it will look cool when it's done and the blocks are very cute!

Karrin Hurd said...

Great sashing, though I can feel your disappointment. Don't put it back in the box! Very lovely quilt though!

Quilting Babcia said...

More blocks makes a larger, more useful quilt! You will be so happy with it when the extra sashing is completed - at least you still have more of the sashing fabric - like it was meant to be! Happy slow stitching today.

Gretchen Weaver said...

I did some chicken scratching years ago, it's so pretty! Don't put it back in the box, just think how lovely this will be and how great to have an empty box and a completed flimsy! Happy stitching!

Jenny said...

So pretty, do hope you have enough supplies to finish the sashing. I've always wanted to give this a go, someday, perhaps.

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

I think that chicken scratch stitching is really pretty, and love how you're using it for sashing, but it would be discouraging to think you had it all ready to go and then find out you had lots more to do. Please don't put it back in the box! :)

Cathy said...

Yay you! I wondered what had happened to this project. I think of you and the chicken scratch embroidery whenever I look at my collection of old embroidered gingham aprons. Maybe I ought to recycle them into a vintage linens quilt (that I’ve been stalled on for years). Anyway, we’re here cheering you on!

MissPat said...

I remember when you were working on this because the term 'chicken scratch' was new to me. Guess I never realized you hadn't finished it, especially since you like to go in overdrive when you get cranking out finishes. Keep going now, you need the empty box for other projects.
Pat

Louise said...

Glad to see it isn't going back in the box :)

maggie fellow said...

quick hide the box - what a different approach to sashing -it will add sooo much to the quilt

Ann said...

I remember when you worked on this before. The gingham is lovely and the embroidery will be worthwhile. At least it's not a hot project for these summer days.

greeneggs said...

Wow! How brilliant, to use chicken scratch for sashing! It looks beautiful. Genius.

Cynthia@wabi-sabi-quilts said...

I'd never known about "chicken scratch" til now. Wow, it's pretty!

QuiltGranma said...

I remember in Home Ec. in college learning chicken scratch embroidery. I thought it was a lost art. Thank you for keeping it alive!