Pushing on

As you see, I decided to push on with a couple projects. On the left is the Free Spirit top basted and ready for hand quilting. Previously, I used those curved quilter's pins but disliked them. They make big holes in the fabric and you have to 'twiddle' over with a needle tip to close up, as well as holes in your finger tips trying to close the *!>?* things! Also, they snag the quilting thread leik woah. Yesterday, through blog-hopping, I had one of those Oh--helvete! moments. Why *pin* when I can thread baste the way tailors do--herringbone stitch! Why I did not remember this?! This technique should also allow me to hand quilt sans hoop. I confess, I can not get on with a hoop.

The baby quilt I spoke of was a big hit and I was asked to make a second, similar one. (And even offered money!) There it is being prepped for reverse applique. The first one (which I realise I made and sent so quickly I have no photos of it. Faen.), I made as outlined in Quilt mania Nr 66; that is to say, as square blocks. Rather than repeat that exactly, I went for a freer setting--plop the stars onto a cut of yardage marked up to size and reverse applique them in.

Ah ça, time's up--back to it. :-)