Tag Archive for 'intro to hand work'

SAWTOOTH STAR PILLOW

Hand quilting

It’s been a few weeks since the Intro to Hand Work class finished and I miss it. I really enjoyed the freedom of sewing without a sewing machine. It meant that the class group was able to sit around the large table, chatting and working away at the same time. It also meant I was able work on my project when I was on transit or sitting in bed late at night.

We basted our final sawtooth star blocks with a layer of batting and a muslin backing, just like a mini quilt. I kept my quilting design very simple, echoing the shape of the patchwork lines. It’s cool to see the hand quilting pattern from the reverse side. I used both a round quilting hoop and a square Q-Snap frame when doing this project. I like having the flexibility to switch between the circular and square frame as I choose.

Hand quilting is amazing. I just love the way the it looks. When I see it, I unrealistically want every quilt I make to be hand quilted. The slightly uneven quality of the stitches is so charming.

Turning this one block into a pillow was so incredibly satisfying because the entire project was completed within just one month. It seems a big feat, compared to the ongoing quilt projects I have that are a year or more in the making.

I chose to use the turquoise powerlines on grey print from Repeat for the back of the pillow. It couldn’t be more perfect. I love everything about this graphic pillow. I’m so proud of it!

I’m pondering my next hand piecing/quilting project and think it’s about time I did an English Paper Pieced pillow. I created this gallery with some of my inspirations.

Karyn's Sawtooth Star

Karyn's Sawtooth Star (Reverse)

Hand quilting detail

Karyn's Sawtooth Star Pillow

Karyn's Sawtooth Star Pillow (Reverse)

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365 : 23

365 : 23

365 : hand pieced sawtooth star

I stayed up until 3am Friday night finishing my block for the Intro to Hand Work class. I decided to do a more complex border around the star. It wasn’t planned, but I like how the turquoise ended up creating a diamond frame around the star. Quilting geometry is endlessly fascinating.

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HAND PIECED SAWTOOTH BLOCK

Hand Piecing a Sawtooth Block

More and more I love doing hand work. There is something so peaceful and thoughtful about it. The first Intro to Hand Work class started on Saturday. I was eager to finish my homework, so I completed my sawtooth block by Sunday night. Since I didn’t need my machine, I did most of the work sitting in bed watching tv online and listening to podcasts. It feels so luxurious to sew this way!

Over time, I’m sure my stitching may become more even, perhaps more tiny but I think I’m doing okay to start.

I decided to feature the pink vintage feedsack fabric that I bought at Quilt Market in October. The dark grey contrasting fabric is a Japanese import that we just received. I’m hoping to throw in some aqua Tula Pink hexagons, but I don’t feel ready to commit to my border fabrics just yet.

I bought a small vintage tin on ebay today to hold my hand quilting ‘kit’. I want everything to be kept together and portable, so I can work ‘on-the-go’. Our teacher, Carolanne, has two tins that sit one in the other on her lap while she rides the streetcar and does her hand piecing.

BTW. My favourite pins right now are these slim white glass head pins. (last photo) They are nice to handle and easily slide through all fabrics, especially finer ones like Liberty Tana Lawns.

Hand Piecing a Sawtooth Block

Hand Piecing a Sawtooth Block

Hand Piecing a Sawtooth Block

Hand Piecing a Sawtooth Block

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365 : 9

365 : 9

365 : first intro to hand work class

It’s always a thrill for me to take a new class in my own shop. The Intro to Hand Work class started on Saturday. Already I’ve learned lots and I’m eager to get working on piecing my sawtooth star together. Sitting around chatting, drinking tea, marking & cutting out fabrics is the loveliest way to spend a sunny, winter afternoon.

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