Long-time visitors know that this space is more of a journal of my process than a parade of perfect finishes that seemingly magically appear on the scene. This means that my posts tend to jump from project to project and craft to craft in the same way that I follow whims in real life. It does make for a disjointed read, I guess, but that’s how I flow.
In the past week since finishing that blanket, I’ve been a bit more of a wanderer than usual. I started some sketches of my idea for putting together the Give a F*ck quilt; I returned to two old blanket projects to see if one would spark some interest (they didn’t really); I made a simple (60″ square) quilt top to test a friend’s upcoming pattern; I spun a bit of yarn; and I did quite a bit of soul-searching.
I finally admitted to myself that I have been wanting to do a long-term, hand-pieced, and slightly intricate quilt for a while. Now, I’ve done a little English paper-piecing back in the hexagon craze, but I’ve never made a full-sized traditional patchwork by hand. There is something romantic about this idea and I’ve ruminated on it for about six years. Back in 2005 when I first started making quilts, I spent a great deal of time studying Jinny Beyer’s Quiltmaking by Hand, but I opted for using the machine because I was more interested in making things quickly back then.
Now is the time to indulge, it seems. Also inspired by my friend Serena’s latest series of posts on handsewing, impulsively one night last week I grabbed my short stack of Carolina Chambrays and tried out the x and + tutorial.
Everything is right about this: It’s a nicely written tutorial that guides you through each step. It’s a block with just the right number of pieces to hold my attention without feeling impossible. If cut beforehand, I can finish handsewing one block in one hour. Oh, and the fabric is like a dream: I love to touch it and I have enough colors to feel free to combine and recombine throughout the top.
Now, these fabrics are hard to come by because the line is discontinued, but I’ve managed to stock up by picking up bits and pieces here and there around online. I can only hope I’ve gathered enough for the 64 blocks I plan to make. If not, then I’ll be okay with using some similar shot cottons in the mix. But I do love the rich, dark colors and their iridescent shimmer and I don’t want to add colors that take away from that.
I have no plans for this week other than a more stressful than usual week at RealJob and more handsewing here and there.
Here’s hoping you have a great week!
completely cauchy. 
How beautiful! You know the jumping around thing doesn’t bother me one bit (as if you wanted to know). It does just reflect real life. And I think it makes for an interesting read. Those fabrics really do glow. Will enjoy seeing this one evolve.
the color is fantastic!
Looking forward to hearing more…(of course).
Jumping around is fine with me, too, as it’s how I roll. And thank heavens handpiecing is so soothing…If RealJob is a mess this week, you’ll stay in control by doing this project – I’d say it’s the perfect antidote!
So very pretty. The colors are rich and happy, but somehow soothing, too. Enjoy the process!
Wow, the colors really do look fantastic. You can sort of see the sheen in that last picture. Good stuff!
This is very beautiful. I’m not much of a quilter but I’ve poured over Beyer’s books in the past. And I always find hand pieced quilts to have a very specific look and feel — very beautiful and inspiring.
Beautiful work. It is fun to see your process, and there is something more deliberate in showing your daily in-progress work.
Eep, I didn’t know this line was discontinued. I’ve been meaning to buy some yardage for clothing– off to do that now :)
Oh my goodness with the jumping! Have you read my blog? ; ) Let’s knit hexigons, let’s eat, let’s frog a blanket, let’s dye some yarn, let’s take pictures, let’s eat, let’s exercise, let’s knit a sweater, and a shawl, let’s eat, let’s knit more hexigons, and a hamster sweater! And let’s EAT! Haha.
Love the colors and the look of that fabric. Here’s hoping…
Yay Carolina Chambray! I can totally understand why you’d choose that for a long-term hand-piecing project—it’s beautiful fabric to get up close and personal with. Didn’t know it was discontinued, but that explains why the selection has been so picked-over at my usual fabric-buying places.
Last year I had a hand-piecing project on the go that was supposed to last the whole year and proceed at a steady but not overwhelming pace (it was a Barbara Brackman quilt-along). The project was useful for learning some traditional blocks and practicing skills, but there were a few blocks that didn’t thrill me and the fabric became uninteresting almost immediately and the whole enterprise fizzled out ingloriously a quarter of the way through. Hah. The poor blocks are still languishing in the closet months later.
That you jump around between media and projects makes your blog especially refreshing and honest, I think! Reading around parts of the crafting blogosphere you’d think that nobody ever lost focus or misjudged their interest in a project when they started it.
I LOVE the colors you chose for your Japanese x and + blocks. And, just so you know, I don’t mind the jumping around one bit. This blog should be your journal and if you want to jump around, DO IT!
Hopping around things happens alot here also C. More than I care to speak of. Just enjoy what you are doing at the moment. That is all that counts. :)
This is going to be beautiful, C. I don’t know why I’m so wary of starting a quilt in solids – I know I’d love the FO. Hand -piecing is going to make this so special. Reminds me, I need to get back to my Liberty hexes someday…. Have a great week, hopefully not too stressful!
I love the eclectic mix of posts you do, C. It doesn’t really feel disjointed to me. Very organic. This handsewn project will be so lovely. Those fabrics look so soft and vibrant. I hope realjob isn’t too terrible this week!
I’m always jumping around from one project to another and I’m amazed at how many projects you manage to fit in. I think there is something quite relaxing about hand sewing and you’ve made me think I need to get back to one of my ‘in progress’ projects, my hand sewn hexie quilt.
That quilt is going to be super, super gorgeous. I’m looking forward to seeing it unfold.
i am really looking forward to seeing this grow. i love your blog and never feel like it is disjointed. i never get bored because it is always something different!
I think a lot of us jump from project to project. I love to see what you’re up to. It makes me feel better about my own many project starts.
oh wow! this is gonna be a beautiful ride
C your work is just so beautiful I will be checking daily for more beauty
Donna
yeah for hand sewing! I pieced my huge scraps quilt top almost entirely by hand (and with the help of a lot of popcorn and march madness).
Your blocks look great!
It’s going to be lovely, and meditative. Always good to keep growing and evolving and trying new stuff. Have you tried/seen Oakshott shot cottons? The colors are lovely and the texture fine. They are british, but can be found at Pinwheels Trading Post: http://www.pinwheelstrading.com/ You know, just in case of a fabric emergency. ;-)
Oooh, looks lovely! I like the jumping around and I love the process posts. Some blogs just make me feel like I don’t achieve anything as they’re constantly showing you perfect finishes. Life isn’t really like that though.
Cut several blocks at the same time, and package each block in a ziplock bag. Then you can carry a block in your purse and sew whenever you have waiting time. I used to do this with Dear Jane blocks. I ought to get back to that, but these days I carry a sock in progress. (Someone recently pointed me at your blog, and I’m happy to keep reading)
It was extremely thoughtful and kind for you to link to me. Thank you!
My entire life feels like a jump around, but that momentum can definitely carry you into your next endeavor too.
It is so, so pretty! I’m impressed that you’re sewing it by hand, it will be priceless!
That is going to be amazing. I love those colors and really impressed with your commitment!
Sometimes, we just need to do handwork. I’m loving applique right now-did it raw edge machine, then fused raw edge with hand done buttonhole (do not like that-too hard to get the needle through the fusible). So I tried the freezer paper starch method-not liking it much either. So needle turn it is. Feels good to work with a needle in my hand again. Enjoying the process. Looks like you are too.
So I have been doing all my Farmer’s Wife blocks with Kaffe Fasset shot cottons–kinda flimsy, although I love the colors. I also have a small collection of Carolina too. And then I was reading Lynne’s (Lily’s Quilts) post yesterday about Oakshott cottons. They sound fabulous. But expensive. But worth it. *sigh* Can you tell there is an ongoing conversation in my head? Should I buy some? Should I not? Etc…