Hand Quilting

All my quilts when I started quilting many years ago were hand quilted and the binding finished by hand. 

Machine quilting is much quicker and gives a very different look. No method is better or worse - you can show off your workmanship whatever method you chose. 

This table runner is made from some left over blocks that didn't make it into a full size quilt, so I pieced them together with sashing and borders and quilted by machine around the outline of the stars. 

And I'm finishing with some turquoise and brown thread by quilting by hand 1/4" inside each piece. I started by using painters tape to mark my 1/4", but that went out the window pretty quick and I'll be finishing the handquilting by eyeball! 

What do you prefer? Hand or machine quilting?

--Ann

Wool applique Chickadee Circle

I am always game to try something new and wool applique is something I've been wanting to try for a long time. This little wool project was a kit & pattern I bought on Etsy in 2012 from a shop called Honey and Cloves.

 I love watching the birds outside my window and the birdfeeder is always filled with these cheerful little birds that stick around all winter long in Alberta.

 The colours of wool chosen for this pattern are just perfect. And the wool applique went together easily and was a great project to have beside me as I watched TV.

I finished it off with some little red buttons that were in my button jar. I'm pretty happy how it turned out and it has it's own pace on a little round table I have sitting by the easy chair in our house.

So, this is another finish off my UFO list and now I'm on the hunt for the next wool applique project!

--Ann

PS. Pattern can be found here: https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/86914981/my-little-chickadees-wool-and-wool-felt