The day we were to leave for our vacation in Maine, I decided I really wanted to take a hand stitching project along with me as I was fairly certain Ray wouldn’t be too keen on my bringing along a sewing machine. He can be so darn unreasonable. Ha ha. We were to be gone for two weeks which is far too long to be without needle and thread. I was searching through the closet in my sewing room and decided to change my plan for a UFO that I had.
Here is the back story. In July, 2014, I posted about a packet of scraps I ordered online. It turned out to be strips from the Moda line called Lexington, designed by Minnick & Simpson. I planned to make a string quilt. Here is a picture of some of the blocks. Side note: wow, that is a horrible picture. I am happy to see that my photography has improved over time. 😉
Each string block finished at seven inches. After making about 20 blocks I set it aside and have not touched it since. I am not sure why, but I lost interest in it. I really like the colors in the project though. I decided to repurpose the blocks that were made and quickly sewed twelve blocks together to use as a table runner. Using twelve blocks gave me a runner that was about 13.5″ x 40″ which is a nice size for my table.
I cut a piece of batting from a bag of batting scraps that I had and also a piece of backing. I love the backing – I purchased it a couple of years ago at a quilt shop in the bay area. My sister, Cathy, found it on a sale table for me.
It has been on the shelf for a bit and I was happy to find a project to use it in. After stitching up the blocks, I quickly sandwiched everything and ditch stitched it down the center and across the width at each seam. I didn’t want to pack a hoop to quilt it and if it was stitched already, I knew it would be stable to hand stitch.
This was such a nice way to practice hand quilting. I have not done a lot of handwork. I did quilt a pillow last spring but since then, not so much. I brought my Hera marker and a square ruler with me, hoping I could figure out some sort of design once I got going. I also brought some basic hand quilting thread as well as Perle cotton.
There are three centers and on each, I stitched a flower. In the center I placed a cluster of french knots. To create the flower petals I used my Hera marker and traced around the top of a coffee cup. Once I got going, I could just freehand them but I needed a guide to get me started.
In each triangle I echoed the lines of the triangles with straight lines. I like the simplicity of the quilting. While we are looking at this picture, let’s all ignore the fact that the point isn’t even close to matching properly. Thank you kindly.
The table runner is very pretty and I look forward to using it later this fall. It feels autumnal to me. I love the binding. This bit of fabric was in my stash and works perfectly. I definitely enjoyed the hand quilting and will continue to practice my stitching.
I still have a few more of these string blocks which will likely sit in that lonely pile where orphan blocks go until I find a use for them.
Hope everyone has a lovely weekend which involves at least a little time in the sewing room. Linking to my usual favorites. Find them at the top of the page, under Link Ups.
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The perfect hand project for your trip! It’s beeeeutiful!
Ah, thank you! I love it and even more so with the goldenrod color binding. I thought I would use blue and am so glad I didn’t. Have a great weekend!!
Great project and idea to take along on a trip, Bernie! I agree that 2 weeks is a loooong time without sewing. So glad you can get your “fix” and accomplish some long-waiting project. I love the table runner idea with this scrappy pattern!
Thanks Kathy. It was very nice to have something to work on while everyone was visiting and hanging out together. In the same way, I love hand stitching the binding on a quilt. Kind of rhythmic and mindless yet satisfying at the same time.
I think it looks great!!! I tell myself I should do some hand stitching, but then I remember I don’t like hand stitching. So I always admire those that do!!!
Ha ha! Then I would stick with the machine for stitching. You are so funny. I haven’t done very much of it but I think it is something I want to continue to work on. Happy Friday!!
Very nice project!
Thank you! I appreciate the sweet comment Angie.
It looks great! I love the detail of the hand stitching, especially the french knots. Congrats on your finish. 🙂
Thanks Sarah!
darn unreasonable indeed!!! Boys will always carry their toys – such double standards. I am very impressed with what you were able to accomplish without a sewing machine.
Haha! I often think about how I move sneak my sewing machine in on various weekend activities. Its just too bulky to hide well!!
What a great table runner….and so fun to hand quilt. NOW when you look at this on your table you have great memories of your vacation!
Oh that’s true! I hadn’t thought of that. Such a nice memory. ?
So pretty! I just love all the blues, and you’re right: the binding is perfect. Blue would have been the standard choice and you colored outside those lines!
I really should try some hand quilting. I certainly have a lot of time when it would be good to have a non-sewing machine project. It’s been so hot this summer that it’s hard to work in my quilt room.
Exactly. It is nice to have something sort of portable to work on when I can’t be in the sewing room for some reason. It is really relaxing too.
Thank you for stopping by!
What a great project to bring on a trip. I often bring knitting or embroidery. I hope you had/have a great trip in Maine. It is where I live, and I love it! Where did you go?
We spent most of our time on the coast in South Bristol. But we also visited Portland, Kennebunkport, Biddeford, Damariscotta and then spent some time in Portsmouth, NH and Salem, Mass. It was such a fun trip. What part of Maine are you from?
We live in Central Maine. I have family in the Kennebunkport area and my son works and lives in Bristol! I hope you had a great time. Maine is a beautiful state.
Oh I love it. I do the same thing start and then set aside awile. This turned our great.
Thanks for sharing this. I linked too. Come over and visit and follow me. I’m following you now!
Have a great weekend.
Sherry, it is hard to keep track of everything and some projects just get sidelined! So glad you stopped by and thanks for the follow!
Oh it’s beautiful and what a nice project to take on vacation ; hand quilting is relaxing and that’s what the vaca was all about 🙂
Oh that’s so pretty – what a lovely way to rescue a forgotten WIP 🙂