Third Finish for the 2019 Finish-A-Long - 4th Quarter

Just in the nick of time...

Managed to finish a third quilt with 1 more day to go for the link-up. Very happy with myself! Actually I am a bit chuffed. This year I was managed to 'play' along for the entire year...maybe not as productive as some, but still finishing off a number of projects and linking up! I really like the finish-A-Long for the focus that it gives me in planning and organizing my projects. Some projects just continue to be on the list, but that does not matter...I'll get around to making/completing them at some stage.

You can find the information about the 2019 Finish-A- Long on  Leanne's blog She Can Quilt. There you will find more detail on how this link up works and also find the list of bloggers who are hosting this great event. The link up for this quarter closes on 8th January 2020.

You can find my Goal list for the fourth quarter HERE

Well, here it is...the HQ challenge quilt...and what a challenge it was! I laboured away on this all year, slightly cursing myself for choosing the grey colourway as I could hardly see my stitches on the black fabric. This was very work intensive, stitched over the whole year. In the end I did get a bit sloppy because this monster just had to be done.

Some close ups


...and another one

That's it...done!

Linking up to Studio Sew Of Course for the final quarter of the 2019 Finish-A-Long. Thanks Ladies for hosting this event. It certainly helped me to keep on track.

Karin

Just A Bit Of Freemotion Quilting

My wholecloth is finished! Now it's a matter of washing it, blocking it, then the binding and getting it ready for show (yes, decided to put it in the show after all this work). I will show you a picture when it is hanging up! As usual I am not sure what it looks like...after months of stitching I tend to loose all perspective.

At the moment I am struggling with a title...I really find it extraordinary hard to name my quilts...just cannot think of something other then 'frilly' or 'lots of thread' or 'simplicity'. This is going to be painful.

Took a break and watched the Handiquilter Live video with Jamie Wallen and Vicki Hoth. This was all about feathers and how Jamie fits them into a block, about 50 min. long. Really worthwhile watching as he explained the different types of feathers and how you can practice them and then he moved on to the blocks. Really enjoyed this video and today stitched out one of his designs. I think he called it a lotus flower in bloom. 

Really like the look of this, particularly the thread build up. Was actually not too difficult to stitch out. Like he suggested I drew it out first, but had to go back to his supplied PDF to remind myself how it was done...but once you done it a few times, it all makes sense. Very enjoyable little exercise.

Then I continued on my Challenge Quilt...already running 2 months behind. This time it was a grid with a cathedral window design inside which will be surrounded by some swirls (which I am yet to do). 

I regret getting the grey version of this kit as I am having lots of problems seeing my stitches on the black fabric (even with new glasses). Should have gone with my usual thread choice which would have called for contrast but everybody else is using blend-in colours so I thought I just go along with that. Well, all you can really see is the texture, so this is a great choice when you are trialling a new design because you won't see a thing!

Machine is working well...I have done about 2600000 stitches! Hard to believe...booked her in for the recommended service in May so will need to get some stitching done before that if I don't want to fall further behind.

Karin

Challenge Quilt Is Done

I have completed my challenge quilt from the local HQ group. The design is by Heather Hopkins and has been stitched out over most of this year in sections.

Turned out beautifully

Some close ups: lots of texture

Middle section

Corner

Outside Edge

What next?

Karin