By George I Think I've Got It!!!!
If you've ever chatted with me then you might know that I've had a very strong desire to learn how to hand quilt. A couple of years ago I tried to learn but it just wasn't in the cards. Sigh!
Well, last Thursday I had the opportunity to take a class from a very talented and skilled hand quilter. When I heard that she was going to be teaching at one of the local quilt stores I was excited beyond belief and waited patiently for "the" day to arrive. There were only four students in class so the teacher could spend lots of one on one time with us - bliss!!! Initially, I was all thumbs - frustrated, flustered and anxious because I simply couldn't get my fingers coordinated and then it clicked! I swear I heard the Angels sing - AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! LOL
I know that in order to get better skilled I need to practice, practice, practice but I haven't picked this up since then. Sigh! Libby gave me some wonderful advice - suggesting that I take the time to stitch at least one length of thread every day and it'll soon come very naturally to me. I must heed that advice soon!!!!! Thank you, Libby!
Remember I mentioned that there were only four students in class? One of the students was Carrie Nelson of Miss Rosie's Quilt Co fame. I've known Carrie for approximately 10 years and chat on the phone on a very regular basis but I don't get to see her very often. I knew she was going to be in the class and enjoyed spending a few hours in class with her - it was fun to watch her struggle with the tiny needle, as well. LOL
I appreciate your visit and your comments - thank you! Come again soon!
In Friendship!
29 comments:
Wow I'm the first. I've had that happen to me as well....something just clicks and you get it. I know you'll have fun with your new found skill.
What a treat to have Carrie in your class, I wish I was there too, I love her quilts.
You go girl! I knew you could do it. :)
I'm glad you had the chance to get some one-on-one guidance in your class . . . . still I'm a little sad that there were only 4 students. Hand quilting is time consuming - but wouldn't it be wonderful if every quilter took the time to finish up just one quilt by hand *s*
I did as you, took my first class in hand quilting only a few months ago :o) It's so fun when you finally realize how this works, isn't it? I love the look of the hand quilting, and i hope to do a lot more of it. i haven't finished what I started on the hand quilting class, but I do take a few stitches now and then, and soon...I'll be finished ;o)
How exciting for you. I have a hard time getting the stitches to look good on the back. I know it takes practice.
How great you got to see your friend.
After nearly ten years, I finally finished hand quilting My First Quilt. In that time, I finished three others. But, my nine-patch will always be special to me and the work I put into it. Now, to put in binding before my nephew graduates grade school.... :)
Good for you! That is just awesome...you wanted to do something and you went after it! How fun that you got to work on your quilting and spend the day with Carrie!
Wow! You are doing great. Doesn't it feel good when it clicks and you get it. I've had those moments too. The advice about stitches getting better with practice is right...or at least it was that way for me. I handquilt almost everything I do...and I find it so relaxing to sit and stitch.
Good for you, Darlene. Proficiency at anything comes with practice. I think as adults we are so afraid of making a mistake or ours not looking as good as our neighbor's that we lose sight of the task at hand. There are so many ways of 'right' and I think in the end, if you've done your best and are happy with the result, then the goal has been accomplished.
Sorry for sounding so philosophical, but we put so much pressure on ourselves and the labor of love just becomes a labor.
You did good my friend!
So it clicked, eh? Wish it would click with me, I would like very much to hand quilt on a regular basis. Carrie is coming to speak down here in Georgia quite soon and we are all looking forward to it so much.
Sounds wonderful...a talented teacher and Carrie Nelson! My grandmother used to do a lot of hand-quilting and I've done a little, but I'd love to take a class one day!
That is awesome that you are going out of the box a bit. I have thought of hand quilting something that my grandmother started but...that probably has to go farther down on my list for now! Good for you!
I find hand quilting so relaxing. I know not everyone enjoys it, but I do.
Hope you stay with it, Darlene - it is lovely to drift off in your own little world while quilting. I could never master a hoop, but happily lap quilt!
Hugs - Lurline♥
I can feel your joy. I hope you get in some regular practice. That's my kind of class, only four students and one of them a friend. I'm cheering and clapping!
Congratulations! Isn't that a wonderful moment when it "clicks"? I used to teach hand quilting years ago and it was always fun to watch facial expressions when they finally got it. Happy stitching!
Hand quilting is the best part of quilting to me...I love to see the design come alive as the stitches come into play.
I have been teaching my mother to quilt and she too all of sudden had the light hit her with hand quilting. I remember too when I was learning it took a few times
I am so glad you have caught on it is an important part of the process for quilting.. I think it is the best part
Can't wait to see a whole cloth quilt posted on your blog..LOL
I'm with you Darlene. I have always wanted to learn how to hand quilt. First I thought I would never find a thimble, which now I have one I love, but I still haven't attempted hand quilting.
How fun for you and to have class with "Miss Rosie" :-)!!! Very fun.
I haven't hand quilted in so long, I'm afraid it has "unclicked" for me.
How nice to be in a class and a friend with Carrie. I absolutely adore her work.
Keep up the practice!
Every time I go to hand quilt a new quilt after a while I always stumble for the first few rows and then get my groove and start moving! It's all practice and even-ness. The stitches don't have to be super tiny but even and consistent...I still work for that every time! Plus it's just soothing to do and fun!
Glad you got started. Hand quilting is sooo relaxing. I'm finishing the quilting on my THIRD little tumbling blocks quilt by hand right now, listening to my ipod (well, not exactly RIGHT now, but today).
congratulations!! You've done it.
Yay for you, Darlene!!! This is something I've really wanted to do as well - ah, perhaps in retirement! I'll be looking forward to your first hand-quilted quilt! How great to be in a class with Carrie, too!
Cheers!
I'm so proud of you for learning a new skill! Someday, I'm going to learn how to do it, too!
H'moosies!!!
Way to go! I love hand quilting and enjoy doing it. I am so happy to hear you took the plunge. There are so many "ways" and suggestions for hand quilting glad you took a class.
I would love to learn to hand quilt correctly. Maybe someday I'll be able to take a class, because my handquilting is definitley lacking.
You go girl! I love to see a hand quilted quilt! I learned when I was young, with much trial and error, no class on that in the 80s! Now that I'm old I've noticed my stitches aren't near as neat, I have to concentrate more especially the transition stitch from one needle full to another... doggone, that stitch is always bigger! It's gotta be the eyesight right? Love handquilting though.
Good to hear you are working on it and picking it up. I find it one of the pleasures of quilting - sitting with a hoop and making those lovely little stitches. It is the connection to the quilting of the past that we still have. Keep practicing.
Oh how cool is that! You are now going to be a hand quilting fool!!!!
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