SUNDAY PATCHWORK #7
This Sunday Patchwork spans the last three Sundays and lots of hours in between. It started with an idea to do a mini quilt in aqua, yellow and cream. A big part of my love for this colour palette was this Windham fabric. I picked out a selection of fabrics from my stash and had it in my mind to ‘whip up’ this mini quilt top in a night. I also had it in my mind to do it all in tiny half square triangles (HSTs) rather than my usual improv piecing style. I wanted structure and repetition for this mini quilt.
Well, that first Sunday night, I barely got through cutting all the squares of fabric, marking lines, sewing, slicing and ironing over 150 HSTs. The next morning when I got up, I jumped on the sewing machine and started to sew them together, but I didn’t get far. Those teeny tiny HSTs (they are 1″ finished) got really wonky, really quickly when I started putting them together. I could see right away that in order for me to get all my points perfect and to keep things square, I was going to have to hand piece this mini quilt.
I learned about the joys of hand piecing from Carolanne. It is an amazing way to sew incredibly accurately. When I made my patchwork skateboard last year, it was all pieced by hand. It might take a bit longer, but it’s so satisfying and you can do it on the couch or tucked in bed.
This hand piecing project couldn’t have come at a better time, it has been the best therapy for some long, stressful days. Completely focusing on the stitching gave me a great escape to clear my mind.
I put the top together with no plan and just randomly sewed the pieces together. I originally thought I would have all the HSTs facing in the same direction, but decided to do some alternating to create some movement within the piece. It will finish at 12″ square and is made up of 144 half square triangles.
I love to take photos of the back of my work, especially when all the seams line up and create perfect little shapes. That is the best!
I gotta say, I love it. A LOT.
Tonight at the Stitch n’ Bitch, I’m going to baste it and figure out how to quilt it. I’ll probably also be thinking about my next mini quilt, which is going to be inspired by ice cream colours!
13 comments
The color palette and design is so nice! I too have been into hsts designs.
i love all of it so much karyn! the colours and the pattern and the little shapes are delightful
I admire and commend the dedication of all hand piecing quilters. I don’t think I can find it in me to do it. For precision quilting, I turn to paper piecing, but I think it only works for some patterns. Plus, there’s more waste than I like it to be (with paper piecing).
Nice colours Karyn.
B
this is just beautiful! i love the colors you chose. and completely agree about hand-piecing… it is so satisfying.
holy moly! that patchwork looks incredible!
I am in L O V E!!!!! it came out absolutely gorgeous!!! And your photos are stunning! I can’t wait to see your next mini!!!
Wow, that is one fabulous mini-quilt! The colours work beautifully together, and I love the slightly more organic look of hand piecing.
Karyn – its beautiful!! Stunning. The colours are amazing!!
Hi Karyn, I read every one of your postings and usually don’t comment, but… WOW, that is absolutely amazing and beautiful. I can’t believe you cut almost 150 tiny triangles… that sounds like torture to me! You are such in inspiration. (PS I’ve never made clothes before but am going to try to make that 2226 pattern skirt, I love the shape, pockets and style!)
This may sound weird, but I love seeing the photos of the back! The front is gorgeous too, of course, but I really love the close-up shot of the back. Very cool.
Karyn – this is amazing! I love the colours. You’re so talented!
I love everything about this, and it absolutely beautiful.
Beautiful Karyn – love the color palate – A LOT. It is a gorgeous quilt. I can think of a good home for it if you have trouble placing it somewhere :). Great photos!