I've been casting about for a significant take along project for upcoming guild meetings and ortho and medical appointments and wherever else I could sit and stitch. Many people in my guild are fascinated by hexagon quilts (the smaller the better) cathedral windows or crazy quilts. I like those ideas in theory and I admire the results, but I'm discouraged/put off by the amount of prep work involved. This morning I got out some of my quilt books for inspiration. I've been toying with the idea of a four-block applique quilt like Marston features in this book, perhaps using hand dyed fabrics on a black background, but I still haven't decided which way to go. So I'm asking for opinions: what's your favourite take-along project? How did you get it to the stage where you could take it along? What's good about hexagons/cathedral windows/hand piecing/applique that makes it portable and fun? Thanks for your help.
5 hours ago
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My current favorite take along project is hexagons. I used to be put off by the idea of the prep work, too, but I only prep enough hexes for a single flower before putting it together (ie: baste 1 center and 6 petals, then whipstitch together), so the prep work is spread out, and really, since I like handwork, I don't see the basting as much different than the stitching together. Then, every time I finish a flower, I get a small sense of accomplishment and of finishing something.
It's definitely a long-term project, but it's very portable, easy to do, and doesn't require much thinking, which is good for take-alongs, imo.
Actually, crochet or knitting is an easy take-along. But hand quilting a placemat or table mat or wall hanging is also good.
Brenda,
Unfortunately, I think most hand work takes some sort of prep. I am taking an applique class that had a tip for avoiding some of the prep. Copy the pattern to a page of label stuff from the office supply store. You can get big labels the size of a whole sheet of paper-just run them through your printer on copy mode. Stick them to the fabric (right side), cut the seam allowance a bit bigger than the pattern and then needle turn. It works pretty well so far. (at least for me) Lois
This is a very good question! I am afraid I don't have very good suggestions, but hand quilting something not to big, can be ok to bring along. I keep looking for something to bring along to my guild meetings, haven't really found a good answer, yet.
Brenda,
I hand piece because I like to get something done while sitting at (someone else's) piano lessons, orthodontist appointments, etc. I feel like it's my assertion that "I have a life too, you know!" I have a secret hope that one day I'll have a quilt with fabrics in it that span decades. When I finish a project, I use the leftovers to make a six pointed star and put it in a jar. The quilt that I eventually make will be extremely scrappy.
Hand piecing also goes well with spending time with the DH watching golf, without actually having to watch the golf.
Actually the hexagons are my favorite handwork. I have been doing redwork recently and that is also easy to carry around.
I made a Christmas quilt with 2000 one inch hexagons in Christmas fabrics. It was all handpieced with English Paper Piecing and I carried it every where. It was my Y2K project and I love to put it on my bed each Thanksgiving. It stays on until New Year's Day.
I love binding on small quilts for a take along project...but then too, I have a hexagon UFO...about 10 years old now! I love the book you showed, I have it checked out from the library rihgt now. I have made a one block version wall hanging of the cover quilt...fun!
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