I decided to finish off Santa with a white strip above the head to separate from the tree as I thought it looked like the tree was growing out of his head lol. It wasn’t hard to do. I cut a strip of the white and folded the edges over a quarter inch and pressed it with spray starch and pinned in place.
Using an applique stitch I stitched it down. To me it looks like it should be there and I don’t think it will be all that noticeable especially after quilted, washed and dried getting that little crinkly antique look to it.
Up a little closer – I stayed stitched all around the edges of the quilt. Measured the backing to make sure I have enough – I do – and then cut green binding to go with it and it is now packed away in the to be quilted box.
The “to be quilted” box with some backings is now packed as much as it can be – Mike had difficulty getting it back up there for me! it’s heavy – there are now 6 quilt tops up there waiting in line and Noriko’s Star and backing/batting will wait out the next couple weeks elsewhere! The biggest striped box is the quilt tops and the one next to it is patterns used and some not used and probably never will be!
This is the backing and thread for Noriko’s Star – I wanted a wide back and there wasn’t a lot of choice at 110″ plus this one 118″ wide. I hadn’t gotten around to squaring the quilt top as I was busy with Silent Night but I will start squaring up and stay stitching around it today and hopefully get a photo outside before we get rainy days again.
The Rose Garden quilting from Wednesday night
And knitting progressing on the sweater 2nd front panel. Working out ok with th4e circular needles now that I have gotten used to them again. I try to pick it up every day for 30+ plus minutes since the hexagons were done.
Now on to the next hand piecing project – which I know I mentioned can be done by machine if one wishes but those that enjoy hand work will understand the challenge of doing it by hand!! This is Jack’s Chain – I’m sure some of you have seen it – and really broken down into sections is much easier to do than one would think and I will share photos along the way when I start.
This photo shows the design I will most likely use as so far it is the one I like the most – colors will vary of course – I’m not sure when I will start. I would use a variety of batiks and Kaffe – I have a lot leftover from previous quilt tops of those fabrics.
I had thought about this one but I have a lot of quilts with white background so not sure but really think the one above – one of the center’s of the next two could used in the one above but would be more work and tiny pieces. I don’t care to work with skinny points!
The final one has tiny hexie flowers in the middle – I didn’t measure but they would probably be made with quarter inch hexies. I don’t really enjoy working with hexies that small.
So that is it for now – maybe a little garden work today and work on Noriko’s Star to square up
Santa does feel much better without that tree growing out of his head! It was giving him a ? headache! Your to be quilted box sure is full. You will be busy for years getting them all done! Great progress on your sweater.
Now that Santa is done it really does look better with that tiny separation;) Oh my your new hand sewing project-Yikes!! But you do so well with them you won’t have any problems.
That strip you sewed on does look like it’s supposed to be there 🙂 I have long loved Jacks Chain and it will be fun to watch you work on it.
The little strip on Silent Night is not even noticeable. Looking forward to seeing that one come out of the box maybe next year. 🙂 I love your next pattern, Jack’s Chain is really pretty. I like your chosen backing for Noriko’s Star – it’s a good look with the hexies. How is your back feeling?
It’s shopping and Chili’s this afternoon for us! Can’t wait for my marg and chips and salsa. 😉
I like the fix you made on Santa. Once you mentioned the tree growing out of his head, I couldn’t un-see it. Hats off to you on your new EPP project. It looks very intimidating to me.
That little strip is perfect to give Santa and the tree a little separation! I like the backing for NS, too. I’ve always admired Jack’s Chain, but didn’t know it could be done with EPP. It will be fun to follow along as you get it started!
I will be interested to see what you do with Jack’s chain. I have always wanted to make it, but never felt like the time was right to start on it. I like the Santa quilt. Good job on separating the tree from his head.
All three of your choices for the next hand piecing are pretty quilts. I have thought about doing Jack’s Chain a couple times but I think I wouldn’t get far on it and it would become a table runner.
Adding the strip to Santa’s hat worked out well. Once it’s finished, it won’t be noticeable at all. You’ve got some fun options for the next hand piecing project. It’s always fun to pick fabrics for a new project.
Santa looks GREAT. Good choice to put that strip there. Your next hand project looks beautiful and challenging. I couldn’t do it by hand but I’m looking forward to seeing you do it. I love all the colors in the first one.
Yes indeed, poor old Santa wouldn’t feel very good with a tree growing out of his head. I do like the design for your next hand piecing project, so pretty. Much too tricky for me to tackle of course, but fine for an expert like you.
Quarter inch hexies seems a little insane. I like the one you picked! I’ve seen it before and really love it.
I’m see why you put the strip on the top of Santa’s head. ? Your knitting looks beautiful. And I love Jack’s Chain.