LOL – really sore fingers from big stitch quilting. I think I should have stayed with the machine work!! I might have to set it aside for a couple days or tape up my fingers next time. It really does work a little differently from regular hand quilting – different size needle for me I think is what really makes the difference. I decided to use two strands of variegated thread as I had no Perle Cotton – I was going to try embroidery thread and then realized I had given my daughter the box of thread to use and I was too lazy to go get it or to the store to get the embroidery thread. The variegated is working out well though. Here is what is going on with the quilt now – I think I will add an echo stitch to the vine on both sides about a half inch to an inch out on both sides where it can be and that will be plenty of stitching on this one. I am linking to a Quilting Readers Garden & Confessions of a Fabric Addict today.
I have a hard time making even stitches when trying to do big stitches, I feel most of my stitches are probably smaller than what most call “big stitches” it is a struggle to make big stitches after practicing small stitches for so long.
I have a stack of pieces cut once again for the Kansas Twister quilt – I will work on that today I think – but not until afternoon – I have a hair cut this morning I have let it get too long and shaggy it doesn’t look well – I feel like scraping it up into a ponytail except it is not long enough for more that a stubby tail. It needs more texture and shorter. Then I will go walk some and come home and stitch (by machine and let the fingers rest!) Next time I will stick something on the underneath finger for sure even though I prefer to feel the needle come through I will need a couple pieces of tape.
This is a stack of 40 sets – I need 24 more sets of six. What I have by the sewing machine might be enough – we will see. After I get all the pieces pieced I will take the tumblers off the wall for a week or so and place these up and start sewing row by row. I believe it will be double size.
We watched “Twelve Years a Slave” last night – a very moving story especially when you know it was true. If you have not seen the movie it is a very good story although a bit of violence of course that goes with the story line.
Have any of you like me not gotten their Christmas decorations up I really need to get to it!
Happy Saint Nicholas Day to all that celebrate it – tomorrow! We used to celebrate it when I was a kid
Your border looks really nice and from here your stitches look even. But yes, it is hard to make longer stitches when a person is used to tiny stitches. Enjoy your walk.
Karen, I wish I could find a calendar I like with fun holidays in it too… St Nicholas Day I haven’t heard of … is it just a day to count down til Christmas?
The real reason I am here is to tell you I LOVE what you are doing with So Scrappy border… so fun to do… although I understand sore fingers with the larger thread/needle. I hate that kind of sore too because it seems like deep bruising to me from gripping the needle so hard… I use electrical tape.. they have colours but I use white as the goo is invisible when you take it back off and lotions away any residual goo and stays well stuck for long quilting periods… good luck finding something that works for you 🙂
Kathi
Is the different needle the culprit for your sore fingers? I’m afraid to try big stitch quilting for fear that my stitches won’t be big enough … which would mean lots of unstitching or stitches that look wrong (too big for regular quilting but not big enough to be considered big stitch quilting). But I do like the look of it and can’t rule out the possibility of giving it a try one of these days.
I get my hair cut on Monday … I schedule the next cut whenever I get my hair cut or I’d end up waiting too long and have scraggly hair that just won’t look right. 😉
Enjoy your walk! No walking here today … it’s raining and I’ll be helping DD with the kiddos on their field trip.
Kathi, St. Nicholas’s Day is a religious holiday that is mainly celebrated in Northern Europe (I think) for some reason it is celebrated a lot in Wisconsin also or was when I was a child. Most times we got a little candy put in our shoe, it was just a fun thing to do – http://www.stnicksday.com/
I’m planning to get started on decorating today…..I hope!
Your big stitching looks good. I struggle with making those larger stitches too! So glad the two strands of thread worked out for you. My mom used to tell us stories of how St Nickolaus would actually stop by their home when she was growing up in Austria. He was also known to give out coal if you had misbehaved.
Your hand work is always beautiful Karen. And no, I have not finished my Christmas shopping yet either. We did get the packages off that have to be mailed, though.
This border is fun to watch you work on…so pretty!
You do such beautiful work. How do you layer your quilts for the machine (with out it puckering on you). Also, what foot do you use on your machine, or special set up? No Christmas any thing up :(. It won’t happen till school ends on the 19th. Too much extra activities going on.
Your stitching looks great! I think the idea of doing big stitch means you can relax about the consistency as well as the size. At least that’s what I tell myself.:)
Your work is gorgeous as always and your circles are soooo round.
Your stitches look even to me. Maybe it is the needle. Did you use a longer needle for th0se big stitches? love the border, and thanks for linking to Hexie Weekend!
Very nice!! After acquiring the skill to stitch even, small stitches I can imagine that it would be difficult!!!
precioso trabajo!!!
espero que tus dedos se recuperen pronto,
ya tengo mis compras de Navidad hechas
este fin de semana en España fiesta
el día 6 celebramos nuestra Constitución
el día 8 una fiesta religiosa la Inmaculada
aprovecho para envolver todos mis regalos,
en España los regalos los intercambiamos el día de Reyes 6 de enero
saludos
Hello Karen, just wanted to say hello and I’m enjoying following your blog again, I’ve been offline for a while. I get sore fingers too with big stitch quilting and the same problem as you – I can’t really do big stitches! I don’t think it matters, those stitches are unique to you and all the lovelier for it. Just wanted to come back to your tension problems, a good site to visit is Marguerita Mcmanus ( I expect I have spelt that wrong), her blog is very helpful and I picked up a lot of tips from it. And of course, Bonnie Hunter, she can help with pretty much everything.
No decorations up here, just the advent calendar my Grandmother made when my daughter was born (16 years ago now!)
Lovely and sunny and frosty here in Bristol in the UK, hope all is well with you.
I found this tutorial for making the Pins with the numbers on them. I thought you might be interested in it.
http://nancybwest.blogspot.ca/2014/02/fancy-nancys-nifty-quilt-row-markers.html