After a month of big-stitch hand quilting on my wool applique squares, I didn't want to spend another month hand quilting the borders because I'm eager to get it done. So I decided to free-motion quilt the borders in circles, even though I hate doing free-motion quilting because it hurts my arms.
I use the gloves with the grippy fingers, which makes it somewhat bearable, but I still can't stand to do it for more than about 15 minutes at a time. In contrast, I thoroughly enjoyed each stitch of the seed stitch quilting with size 12 pink perle cotton and a big needle. That was meditative, but these circles are hell!
I guess it's fitting that I'm doing this over the Labor Day Weekend, because it certainly is laborious.
Have a colorful weekend
Oh Sherrie, you've put a smile on my face this morning with that title. I can manage longer at the machine than you (well not right now) but have to agree, it can be hell! Labor on - those circles look great!
ReplyDeleteSherrie, have you tried the supreme slider sheet that Pat LaPierre developed?I had a booth beside her at a Quilt Hawaii show up on the big Island years ago and as we packed up she gave me her demo one. I use a queen size one now when i remember to use it as i have a Plexiglas table made by David that also works for small items/ quilts when i free motion. (besides sitting too long does not work for me either). I love those circles too!
ReplyDeleteYour circles look great. I wear braces on both my hands when I quilt..all of it hurts doesn't it...but we won't give up!
ReplyDeleteI love how it looks! I've only done pretty much free-form free motion sewing, so maybe that's why it doesn't bother me. I think if I was trying to create a specific shape it would probably make my shoulders hurt with the tension. I do love your hand stitching.. I'm trying to put together some small portable projects to get me back in to hand work, and your projects are always so inspiring!
ReplyDeleteOh they are such beautifully perfect circles!!. I have never done the seed stitch quilting, but maybe I'll give that a try. Such simple mindless stitching.
ReplyDeletexx, Carol
The circles work perfectly!
ReplyDelete