Slow stitching is back

Ok, so my facebook memories tell me that a year ago I spent over 8 hours tracing out diamond shapes using a Jen Kingwell template for handpiecing.

I chose these fabric at Quilty Desires before that. I guess Halloween happened, then Christmas, then I had to find a rental, then moved and cleaned the new house from top to bottom!

It's so interesting that I've picked this up again in the last week, like my own consciousness antenna was picking up that it's been a year.

Or... it could be that I've finished the sentinelles hand stitching, so I was looking for a hand project for the odd evening I have a few minutes down time.

Actually, I think that's why hand stitching, or slow stitching as it's called is fundamental in creating a body of work. It's small amounts of time over long periods. It's not using precious moments so set up and put away.

It's making the most of the moments every day, and having something to show for it.

Imagine the benefits if we applied this concept to other parts of our lives?

 

Batik tiles

This is another one of those hand pieced pieces I've wanted to make. 

I'm planning this as a decorative throw pillow, as compared to a cushion. But I don't think I can stop the boys in my family from using it, squashing it, getting it dirty....

I've tossed around ideas whether to have the white in the very edge as well to create a flush edge, or whether to trim the block back to the straight point and then put a border.

I've decided to cut it flush.

I think it looks great! Next for the border.

This is the border print, I just love these colours together. It's a fresh tropical feel!

Ooh? What am I baking? A bit of food crafting....

Delicious! I wonder if I can buy spelt flour in bulk. I would like to start using it for all of my baking.

 

Border auditions

How pretty does this look?

It takes a lot longer to trace these out than it does to stitch them!

Kind of frilly, like a seaweed.

Now, which of these looks better at the edge of the cushion?

Cornerstones or no Cornerstones?

I need to sit on this. 

Which do you prefer?

 

Template tracing and prep

The sandpaper board is a success!

I've traced around the outside. Marked the dots for a quarter inch seam.

Then joined the dots with the quarter inch ruler.

This is the size and arrangement that I like.

The last handpiecing I showed was all grunge fabrics in blue hues. 

This is a mix of grunge and batik with a kaffe fassett collective border.

This design has me in tropical heaven vibes.

So much preparation work with tracing, handcutting and sharpening of pencils!

I'm ready to stitch! 

 

Template preparation

I have a few Jen Kingwell postcard project templates. Smashing idea with a postcard, showing a photo of a quilt.  It comes with a template (or 2 if needed) and costs only $6  because it has no instructions!

I'm so keen, but I know from my beginning quilting days American Hand Pieced style, that I need a sandpaper board to lean on when tracing around templates onto fabric.

So I go into Daiso to see if they have anything i can use to make one.  (Mine is in storage 3000km away and has been since 2013).

Yes! I get sandpaper and a clipboard then use  my decoupage medium to join them.

These will need to dry overnight.

Oh Ming-Ming the cat approves.