It’s a great day here in sunny Arizona! I have been enjoying the sunny warm weather and spending most of my time outside lately. I still find a bit of sewing time in the evenings. I have five of my animal border blocks done.
During these past few weeks, I was able to finish Mr. Bear and Mr. Steer
I don’t know why the animals are taking so much longer than the center blocks…. I think it must be all of the tracing, cutting, glueing, and stitching around the teeny tiny pieces.
There are so many tight inside curves and little eyes and noses.
That’s ok. It just takes me longer. Getting out all of the fabrics and patterns take up my whole counter space. It takes about an hour or so just to cut and place one block!
I always have visions of knocking out a few at one sitting. Nope! I am lucky to get one done per sitting and then I have to load everything up and put it away for next time.
Oh well, eventually they will all be done. I only have five more to cut out and paste down. I can do it!!
Thank you for stopping by today. If you would like to join in sharing your hand quilting adventure, here’s how–
This Hand Quilt Along is an opportunity for hand quilters and piecers to share and motivate one another. We post every three weeks, to show our progress and encourage one another. If you have a hand quilting project and would like to join our group contact Kathy at the link below.
Kathy, Lori, Margaret, Kerry, Emma, Tracy, Deb, Connie, Susan, Nanette, Edith, Sharon, Karrin, and Gretchen
Happy Sewing!
It's a T-Sweets day! 
Can I ask if they’re marked around a template, or traced over a light box? I ask because you might find the turning goes faster if you use a hera marker to crease the outline on the reverse, or at least, that’s been my experience with needleturn appliqué. I think the rooster is my favourite, but he’s so many pieces!
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Hi Kate! I mark around a template. I have never heard of a Hera marker. I will definitely look into that! Thank you for the tip!!❤️❤️
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You can get them in any quilting shop, or online from Amazon. They create a sharp crease you can use instead of a quilt marker or pencil, and they help folding under the excess when you’re doing needleturn.
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Those animals are amazing! Oh, so slow. . . . but worth it!!
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Thank you Kerry! I like how your name has CAN in it because that is what I say when I start each little piece—I CAN do this!!
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I love those animals, even if they are slow! Enjoy each one, I. Spite of those tiny pieces!!
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Thank you Kathy! The small pieces are a learning race that I am getting better at. Enjoy the journey!
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They really challenge at first, don’t they?
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That rooster makes me laugh with that strut of his! Nice animal blocks!
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Thanks Deb! He is a proud and happy rooster for sure. Maybe that is why I have so many in my decorating. Maybe I will post about all of my Roosters this week… lol😊❤️
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The time, work and effort to do just one is well worth it. Your blocks and work is amazing! True works of art ~ Sharon
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Thank you Sharon! I know I could sew up a fast and easy quilt, but one, I don’t need that many quilts, and two, the ones that take more time and effort really have a piece of me in them and I love them more😊❤️❤️
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Agreed 🙂
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Hi Tracy! How fun. I adore doing handwork like this. Look at all the different pieces on the rooster – no wonder it is slow going. And so what? Are you in a race?!! I look forward to seeing what the last five blocks are. This is going to be SO very cute. ~smile~ Roseanne
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Thank you Roseanne! No, there is definitely not a race going on in my sewing room. If there was, I would be sure to make everyone else feel good because they would all win before me!! Thank you for being my cheerleader!❤️❤️❤️
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Love your animals, and fabric! I look forward to seeing your progress!
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Hi Karrin! I am excited to see the colorful border these animals will make. It may be a while though;)❤️❤️
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I love the mix of patterns and colors. I am new to hand quilting and will be following!
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Hi Patricia! Thank you so much! Hand quilting is a nice evening activity to enjoy while watching a good show. We would love to have you join along! Just let Kathy know. She will add you to the list😊❤️❤️
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Love how you used different prints together. HQAL sounds fun.
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you will appreciate your animals all the more when you are done because of the extra effort that went into making them look the way you wanted them to look. can’t wait to see the finished product
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Thank you so much! I agree with you about the more time we spend on something, the more we appreciate it. Some quilts are fast gift quilts, while others are a labor of love and effort that we can’t part with. This will be one of the second kind. Thank you for stopping by today. I hope you have a lovely day!😊❤️❤️
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Tracy your animals are fantastic! I love love how you’ve used the Mon Ami fabric — I have some in my stash — I should use it right ?♥♥
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Oh! I’m so glad you recognized the fabric Karla! I am really enjoying it. I had to order more red and see that it is getting scarce online. I’m glad I found it though. I hope you make something with yours. It would be like our own Mystery QAL❤️❤️
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They look nice, and it doesn’t really matter if it takes time, right? Done right is the important part. I do think the ins and outs of the rooster tail, for example, takes more time.
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I agree Suz! Time is what makes this ultra valuable to me:)❤️❤️❤️
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Wow Tracy! Glad I am trying to catch up on old posts as I love this one! I love the fabrics (Moda?) Your appliqué blocks are amazing, whimsical and delightful! I always love the palettes you use!
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I love your animal blocks! I am making “Simple Folk” as well, but decided on a simpler border. I am enjoying making this quilt so much!
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Really?’ We are quilting sisters for sure!!
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Love the animal blocks, especially the bear and the steer, being fairly new to needleturn my heart would sink if I saw those antlers 🙂
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