Anybody still Handpiece?

[calicokatie1]

As much as I enjoy the speed and convenience of strip piecing on the sewing machine, my first love is using the old patterns that require templates.   Because of the curves and odd shapes so many of these templates are, handpiecing is much easier and more relaxing. I love to do handpiecing while watching TV and I was curious if there are very many others who still enjoy this.

I'm putting together a couple of projects to work on during the warm months.  The first one is an old-fashioned Martha Washington's Wreath.  I got the pattern from an ebook that's available on the Q is for Quilter site.   I'd been looking for one of the old patterns the last week or so and it seemed like fate when I saw this one posted.   qisforquilter.com/2016/02/free-pattern-friday-round-the-world-quilt-book/

The other one is a Bowtie quilt using the original pattern with set-in seams.  The only one I could find online was for a 4" block and that's way smaller than what I want.  quiltbarn.blogspot.com/2014/10/vintage-quilt-thursday-baby-bow-tie.html

So, I drew my own patterns, one for an 8" block and one for a 6" block.  I've about decided to make them 8" and alternate the pieced blocks with plain squares.  I was going to attach the patterns in case anyone else was interested but it doesn't look like I can add attachments. 

Anybody else putting together warm weather projects to work on?  I quilt on a hoop and the weight can get a little overwhelming when the weather warms up. 

 

[calicokatie1]

Tried making a pdf link for the patterns but it didn't work.  Maybe next time.

[Deleted]

Hi calicokatie1. I don't mind hand appliquing but I'm far too impatient to hand sew entire blocks. I really love the idea of a hand-made quilt - that, to me, would be really special and a treasure beyond words. Non-quilters always remark how much patience quilters must have, but even without our own 'fraternity' I guess there's levels of patience.

Good on you for making your own patterns. Have you come across the book "Around the Block" by Judy Hopkins? I think there's also a "Once More Around the Block" book of hers as well. They're traditional patterns, but are in a range of block sizes. I use mine frequently. Again, too impatient to make up my own...

Hope you'll post pictures of your two projects. Would love to see them as they progress.

[calicokatie1]

I can't take much credit on making the patterns because the bowties are so simple.  They're just squares with a corner clipped off.  You'd be surprised how quickly those hand pieced blocks stack up when you work on them at odd moments. It's nice to pick them up and work on them while you're talking to others, listening to the radio or watching TV. I like to listen to audio books because it leaves my hands free.  I started quilting in the long ago before there was such a thing as a rotary cutter.  That's probably why I still like the old patterns and techniques.  I agree about the levels of patience.  If it's something you enjoy, time flows by, but if it's something you find tedious, it takes forever to finish it.

[sugarspinner]

Oh yes, I hand piece and then hand quilt. I do it in a hoop so that I can easily take it anywhere I need to - - -and, although I own 2 quilting frames, I don't really have the room to have a frame sitting around in the way. I also machine quilt, especially for situations where the quilt will be laundered a lot or when children or pets are apt to be climbing around on it. Hand quilting is relaxing for me. It forces me to slow down and just take it one stitch at a time.

[Wendy]

Ialso like to hand sew & hand quilt. I don't own a machine to do the quilting for me. It's my way to relax in the evening.

[calicokatie1]

I've had full size frames but I think you have to quilt on them all the time to get your quilting rhythm going. I got one of the card table sized PVC frames many years ago and used it a lot to start with but then put it away for quite a while. When I got it out again, it just felt awkward and I got bad backaches so I didn't get back in the habit of using it.   Last year I got a Quilter's Wonder hoop on an adjustable stand. I've only done one lap quilt on it and really liked it. It isn't as sturdy as an expensive model like Grace Company or Hinterburg but since I was used to wrestling with a hoop on my lap, I didn't mind. I did have to adjust the screws fairly often because they would gradually get loose as I turned the hoop around. I paid something like $65 on Amazon for it and compared to over $200 for the name brand models, I'm satisfied.  From the reviews I read, a lot of folks don't care for them so I guess it really depends on what you're willing to work with and what your expectations are. 

I occasionally tie a quilt top using crochet thread.  Mostly those are utility type quilts for the grandkids because I know they'll get a lot of wear.  I have a walking foot for my sewing machine but I've never tried to quilt on it.  I've just never been that interested.

[Maura]

I enjoy handpiecing. I have seven grandchildren and for each one I made a small hand pieced and hand quilted quilt. I also am almost finished piecing a Civil War quilt. I have the blocks all done, will probably make one more block, then put them together with sashing.

[Deleted]

Sweetie quilts by hand. Mostly smaller pieces, bags, wall hangings, purses, throws, etc. Uses up scraps. She makes bags to keep her knitting, needle point and quilting projects in, also overnight and shopping bags. She makes little purses and credit card holders using up old buttons to decorate them. Everyone loves those. She is working on a large quilt for our queen size bed, king size, light batting as a coverlet. It might take 2 years to get it done, no hurry. I think she has 1/2 the blocks done since Christmas. Just something to keep busy. She is embroidering tea-towels right now for friends in California for our trip in April, friends from school, her aunt and cousin, little thank-yous for keeping us while we are there....James

[jd4020]

I enjoy hand piecing. I've been working on a Jacobs Ladder for a number of years now. It's red & white. I only use leftover fabric from other projects or old clothing. Not enough time. I have a quilting frame that is set up in my sewing room by the windows. There is a snails trail on it right now. Again, not enough time. I really don't know how to strip quilt & I usually stay away from the curved pieces. I have a double wedding ring quilt that my Grama pieced for us. I'm not sure if it can be quilted as my Grampa helped cut out pieces as part of his therapy (after he suffered a stroke) Some of the pieces are a tiny bit larger than they are supposed to be so it won't lay flat and quilt nice. I've asked a couple quilting groups if they would quilt it, but they won't because of that. At this point I really don't care if it's not evenly flat in places, I'll probably just do it myself. If I get the time.

[Deleted]

jd4020 , although it's nice to have everything 'perfect', I've seen some amazing results by skilled long-arm machine quilters who have worked with quilts that are a wee bit off. LAQs that have been in the game long enough will know how to get around imperfections and quilt it so that it all lays as flat as possible. Do you particularly want to have it hand quilted? Or would sending out to a LAQ be an option for you? I'm just thinking how wonderful it would be to snuggle under that DWR quilt that your grandmother and grandfather both had a hand in - how special is that? I do hope you get it finished - and when you do, that you post a picture.

[calicokatie1]

I have a couple of links to share with all you handpiecers. The first one is for 6" blocks. They could be done on the machine but when I see the smaller blocks, I can't imagine doing them any way except by hand.

threadbarecreations.blogspot.com/p/free-chatelaine-bow-sampler-quilt.html

The second link is to a collection of old quilt blocks.  You can download the pattern to most of them.

cva.moreheadstate.edu/180/

[wolfmom]

I'm collecting velvet from dresses from thrift stores and garage sales in rich royal colors. Cant find much printed velvet in good heavy weight fabric. so most are plain colors. I hope to get enough by this winter to make a crazy quilt for my DD. Not hand piecing, but, oh, the amount of hand embroidery.

[Maura]

jd, I once bought a quilt at auction with a similar problem. It is a red and white orange peel. Looks simple, but has curved seams and is really for an expert. Well, I ended up removing some of the quilting so that I could pick out some of the seams and resew them correctly. I used a mix of seam and applique. Maybe you could do this, at least it's not quilted yet.

[vickilynn]

I love to hand sew and hand quilt. I especially enjoy English paper piecing. For me, it is about the process. I live slow in a fast world.

[motdaugrnds]

I enjoy hand sewing as well as embroidering; and my sewing chest has quite a few assorted hoops to use. Last umpteen years have not had any time for this; however, now I've plenty of time. I really enjoy this type of intricate work!

[Deleted]

Sweetie is very nervous about our trip. Says the handwork keeps her mind busy. Been doing too much band it is making her thumb act up. She is making all kinds of little bags, using buttons, zippers and different things for embellishments. A new purse, a coin purse for the car and a little bag for her hair brush and curling brush. She made a bigger bag for dirty cloths. Cute little things she can use, using up a lot of her Mom's, Grandma's and great Aunts old sewing supplies. Sweetie never throws away any material or old clothes, she strips out anything usable. She even had me strip off the "good" material from her old swivel rocker recliner. She found a use for some of it in these bags she is making....James