I showed you the right middle section and I've now stitched it
to the centre panel.
And this is what it looks like! I'm afraid to measure it....it is that big!
The stitching goes fast because it is a fairly straight seam. I used off-white thread and the reason is that at least one hexagon in each seam contains the path fabric (the path is the area between the hexagons made with the off-white fabric).
Also I have decided to try my new milliners needles. Missie of Traditional Primitives swears by them for English paper piecing. Debra of Patchwork Sanity swears by them for applique. Both women were absolutely right. The long, thin needles pierce the fabric like a hot knife cutting through butter. My needles are Tulip Hiroshima Needles. They are not inexpensive but they make a big difference in the sewing.
I am able to catch fewer threads making the stitches even less visible. Now don't get me wrong; I don't mind seeing a bit of the stitches because it shows the hand of the maker. But I want them to be small stitches. If you struggle with small, tidy stitches I would encourage you to give milliners needles a try. One note of caution: the eye of the needle is small but it threads so easily. I think that the reason for that is that the bore hole in the Hiroshima needles is smoothed in both directions so there are no burrs inside the eye. This is a significance from other needles which have a nap inside the eye of the needle. If you try to thread a needle and the thread just will not go through turn the needle and thread in the other direction.
That's it for today. Until I post again, happy sewing!
Karen H
Gorgeous. Can't wait to see all the pieces together!
ReplyDeleteWow - an amazing quilt already. I must have missed it if you posted where we can get the needles.
ReplyDeleteThat is a good tip, I've never heard that a needle eye can have a right and wrong way.
ReplyDeleteYes, assuming those are 6" boards on the fence, it's pretty big! I won't estimate if you'd rather not know, lol. But, working large is one of the things I really like about quilting. So, big is beautiful! And it will be dramatic, too. Looking good!
Oh my this looks like it is going to be large. Just love how it is coming together. I tried the hiroshima's for hand quilting and they are very nice. However, I use the spoon to quilt so therefore I wear them out to fast to warrent the extra cost. I bet they are nice for applique.
ReplyDeleteVery big, but very nice. The border and centerpart like eachother I think. Groetjes, Dientje.
ReplyDeleteThis is looking amazing Karen! The centre looks like a pond where someone has cast a stone, brilliant ripple effect.
ReplyDeleteIt is coming together beautifully Karen - what a masterpiece! Good to have your recommendation with the needles - makes sense :)
ReplyDeleteWOW - great progress! Those needles sound good - I need to experiment more with different needles, I never used to realise what a difference changing needles makes!.
ReplyDeleteSimply stunning. Bigger is better in this instance. A beautiful HANDMADE large quilt. I use the Tulip Applique needles for EPP and just love them too. A bear to thread if you don't use bottom line thread!!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Karen. Did you get those needles in Canada? Would love to try them.
ReplyDeleteBunny
Oh--this is going to be one stunning quilt. I've heard about the needles for ages, but have been put off by the cost--guess I'll have to give them a try!
ReplyDeleteI really love this quilt, the bigger the better. Thanks for the beautiful fabrics I got from you. They are already in my quilt.
ReplyDelete