Monday, September 5, 2011

new stuff

I thought I'd give a peek of the applique project I am working on. I"m just taking a little break from my Bird of Paradise quilt to make a gift. I'm so glad I took pictures of it - I can see right away that the flower center fabrics need changing - maybe just reversing them would work. I love to use a digital camera to help with decision making. Now this is something I'm very excited about. My new thimble - Yahoo!! I first heard about these thimbles when Barb posted about them. Teresa posted about hers too. I told a friend who got 3 of them. Finally I ordered one myself. (Barb you should be getting a commission :0) It is so impossible to find a good thimble in my city - not enough hand quilters I guess. This thimble is a TJ Lane thimble. It has the best dimples!




This is a new handwork project I've started (because I needed a new project - lol) I've never liked piecing by hand. I've wanted to like it because it's so portable and my applique/hand quilting projects sometimes aren't. I hadn't tried English paper piecing because the idea of basting around little papers didn't seem like much fun.

Then I watched a Youtube video of someone using these Quilt Patis and I was sure I would like it. Only one backstitch on each corner to hold the fabric on the plastic template and they're ready. They are so easy to use and I am happy with the accuracy. I even stitched at the playground last night - I'm going to find all kinds of places to sew where I couldn't before. Do I sound excited?? :0)


Happy Quilting!!

7 comments:

Crispy said...

Yep, reversing the center will really make that flower pop :0)

I'm very happy to hear you are hand piecing and are actually enjoying the process. I never understood the english paper piecing thing either but those patties are very intriguing.

Crispy

Barb said...

Hooray! I'm glad you got a thimble. We have the same one. I've had it for about 15 years (maybe more).
Your new applique looks great and I love the 6-pt stars. what a clever little template!

Barb said...

p.s. If I can't make a commission, lol, it is reward enough to share these wonderful thimbles with my blog land friends!

Carrie P. said...

Yes, very excited. I have some of those patis in hexagons. I really like your stars so far.
TJ Lane actually came to our guild one time. She does make some lovely thimbles.
I think taking pictures of blocks or settings of blocks can really cause you to see the thing in a new light. It is a good idea. I have changed things sometimes when I have seen it in a picture.

Browndirtcottage said...

OOoouuu good sneak peek on the new applique project!!
And how timely you posting about your new thimble. I have been thinking about getting one too!!

I have a hexie project going but have always wanted to do the star pattern...yours are so cute!!

Teresa Rawson said...

Yahoo! You got a thimble!! I thought I would only use mine for hand quilting, but I've been enjoying appliqueing my little baskets wearing it. I just love it! I love your little magic box of beautiful stars in progress!

In stitches,
Teresa :o)

libbyquilter said...

the thimble is beautiful and it sounds like it's a whole lot more than just pretty~!

i've recently drug out my ongoing hexie project and have been enjoying working on it when i sit down to watch t.v.
i figure it will be done sometime in the year 2050 or so . . . i'll be getting a bit of age on me by then~!~lol

:-)
libbyQ