Sew What’s Up Presents
The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was
retired in August 2007. It is being provided by
“Sew What’s Up,”
which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: JoanieB
Date: 01-30-2005, 11:02 PM (1 of 19)
| Just wondering, if there are any hand piecers and hand quilters out there? That is my primary passion in the quilting world right now, so just wondering if I'm hanging out here alone? I've not seen any postings about it. |
User: JoanieB
Member since: 01-28-2005 Total posts: 68 |
From: HHH
Date: 01-30-2005, 11:36 PM (2 of 19)
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Hi Joanie, I piece by machine, but almost always quilt by hand. Haven't done much for the last several years, but now getting back into it with a vengeance. In fact, I've got way too many projects going right now, some of them Christmas presents,  . Should have 'em done by Valentines day.
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User: HHH
Member since: 02-10-2004 Total posts: 87 |
From: ksnative
Date: 01-31-2005, 06:35 AM (3 of 19)
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You're not the only one. There are a lot of us still out there. I'm not only a hand piecer (although much of my work these days is hand applique) and quilter, I'm still a template girl. Don't own a rotary cutter and don't really want one. |
User: ksnative
Member since: 01-24-2005 Total posts: 8 |
From: GreenDragonLady
Date: 01-31-2005, 09:01 AM (4 of 19)
Unfortunately I can't do much hand work because of carpal tunnel  Even handstitching a binding I have to do it in 2-3 sessions.
photos.yahoo.com/greendragondesigns
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User: GreenDragonLady
Member since: 07-29-2004 Total posts: 495 
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From: Julia's Nana
Date: 01-31-2005, 03:23 PM (5 of 19)
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I hand quilt.........or tie my quilts. I also hand piece along with machine piecing. I have always done a lot of hand work, counted cross stitch, knit, crochet and applique on sweatshirts so it just seemed natural to do the quilting by hand too. Norma |
User: Julia's Nana
Member since: 08-28-2001 Total posts: 361 |
From: JoanieB
Date: 01-31-2005, 08:50 PM (6 of 19)
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I used to work as an orthopedic scrub nurse, so I am quite familiar with your problem. But hang in there and do your hand work as slowly as you need to and enjoy. I was told at my local quilt shop that it's a lot cheaper than a psychiatrist. JoanieB |
User: JoanieB
Member since: 01-28-2005 Total posts: 68 |
From: GreenDragonLady
Date: 01-31-2005, 09:11 PM (7 of 19)
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Thanks, Joanie! It's gotten better since I stopped working (I used to be on a computer all day long...now I'm only on about half the day!!!) But I still need to be careful. I'm doing a little knitting too, but that's not as tough on me as the hand stitching because I don't have to maintain as much precise control (you probably don't want one of my scarves in that case!!!)
photos.yahoo.com/greendragondesigns
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User: GreenDragonLady
Member since: 07-29-2004 Total posts: 495
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From: M & M's Mom
Date: 02-01-2005, 12:15 PM (8 of 19)
| Me, too. I'm doing a "Grandmother's Flower Garden" quilt by hand. Great way to use up bits of fabric and portable enough to carry with me. It will probably take years to complete, but that's OK. I'm enjoying it. |
User: M & M's Mom
Member since: 12-01-2004 Total posts: 102 |
From: JoanieB
Date: 02-01-2005, 09:15 PM (9 of 19)
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I want to thank all of you for being so friendly to a newcomer. I had been looking for an active board when this one was suggested by someone on my hubby's woodworking board. I enjoy communicating with others with the same passions about quilting, even though I am a very rank beginner. I've really only completed one full size quilt and am presently working on one for my 14 year old neice. I chose a double pinwheel block and am alternating it with various applique blocks (all by hand), she chose the colors purple of course and greens. Will keep you posted as I progess. Joanie |
User: JoanieB
Member since: 01-28-2005 Total posts: 68 |
From: M & M's Mom
Date: 02-02-2005, 04:42 PM (10 of 19)
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Hi again, JoanieB. Here are two sites that I think you'll like. The first will show you an amazing hand made quilt and tell you the story behind it. Then you can see the progress that dozens and dozens of people are making on their hand made 'Dear Jane Quilts'. When you get to the site, click on "Dear Jane" on the left hand side of the page. The second site shows you how to start a Grandmother's Flower Garden - easy and colorful. The method is called English Paper Piecing. It will be a good way to use up the scraps left from the quilt you're working on. Cheerio! Have fun! http://www.janiac.com/ http://www.cottonwoodquilts.com/english.htm |
User: M & M's Mom
Member since: 12-01-2004 Total posts: 102 |
From: JoanieB
Date: 02-02-2005, 09:12 PM (11 of 19)
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Thanks for the links, I'll check those out. My local quilt shop offers classes in Enghlish paper piecing, Grandmother's Flower Garden fairly often. The last time it came available, my schedule had a conflict, but I hope to be able to take that class the next time it's offered. Joanie |
User: JoanieB
Member since: 01-28-2005 Total posts: 68 |
From: WyoHandStitch
Date: 02-13-2005, 12:09 PM (12 of 19)
OHHHH yeah - I'm new to this site - JUST registered - and I'm a hand quilter ENTIRELY - from start to finish. I'm a medical transcriptionist & have worked anywhere from 12-20 hours a day for the last 18 years. Understand the carpal tunnel! After 9 years of it in my right hand, finally had it fixed almost 2 years ago. Never slowed me down much though. My doc said that I either HAD to go ahead with repair (so scary since that's how I make my living - typing!!!) or find another occupation within about 6 months. But quilting is my major passion. I make about 3 king sized hand pieced and hand quilted quilts a year, for about 3 years now. I LOVE the challenge and boy do you become "attached" to them by the time they are done. I only kept my first one - was for my hubby - and he let it get totally trashed by the dogs in 3 years. I had my old golden retriever put down & cremated in it. That's all it really was good for by that time! So with all our animals (3 dogs, 4 cats) I don't keep any right now. They all go to my kids & very close friends. I LOVE the lone star variations - I have the GREATEST book with about 30 or so different lone star blocks, specifics given in each in about 8 or 10 sizes. I taught myself & am very unorthodox in my methods. I don't use a rack or even a hoop. I just grab it all up & go. I do baste like a maniac - my basting is all about 1" apart (that's the only part I hate...LOL!). I'm happy to send the name of that book to anybody interested....I hope that is allowed! They would be pretty easy for the intermediate quilter to adjust to bigger stars - more tips....This site is going to be hard for me to stay off of!!!!! And I have to work on this computer - not play! LOL!!! HAPPYYYYYY Quilting! 
Keep those thimbles clickin,
Laura B. Yep - one of these days.... |
User: WyoHandStitch
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 5 
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From: suzquilts46
Date: 02-13-2005, 10:43 PM (13 of 19)
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Welcome WyoHandStitch, I'm glad to see a fellow (or should I say fellowess? DUH) Western States person on here. We are rare I think. I am just learning the art of handpiecing but have always handquilted. That is what got me started. I love the relaxation of hand work. And just about anything is allowed on this site. Any info is welcome. Susan Life is a journey............not a destination! Susan Life is a journey......................not a destination.
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User: suzquilts46
Member since: 12-07-2004 Total posts: 23 |
From: WyoHandStitch
Date: 02-14-2005, 11:22 AM (14 of 19)
Hi Suz!!!! I have a good friend who JUST left yesterday to go back home to Twin Falls...Miss her already...but she plans on moving here by May. Her hubby lives here. She's getting me into scrapbooking....just what I need - something else to spend big bucks on... And talk about something that I think will be MESSSSYYYY!!! LOL!!!! Like my "quilting corner" isn't my husband's bane already....I'll have to go back upstairs & get that book later to post the RIGHT title and author - it's AWESOME! Has a few sample quilts in the back using the blocks, but it's wonderful. Lone stars can be such a challenge, these are all made with squares & rectangles. You just cut away a lot more, but then you'd be surprised how many REPLACEMENT little squares I've cut out of the larger cut-aways...Ummmm screw ups??? LOL!!! S'what happens when you THINK you know what you be doin'! Yep - glad to see another Rocky Mtn quilte too!!!! There are several here, but very few hand quilters! I've done needle work of various kinds all my life preferably by hand, not by machine so hand quilting only seems to follow naturally. And it is with love that they are all made, naturally! Take good care Suz and talk to you l8r! Laura
Keep those thimbles clickin,
Laura B. Yep - one of these days.... |
User: WyoHandStitch
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 5
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From: MaryW
Date: 02-14-2005, 11:25 AM (15 of 19)
WyoHandStitch, welcome to Sew Whats New.  Your quilts sound lovely, I bet you stitch a mile a minute. Glad to have you with us. MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: MaryW
Date: 02-14-2005, 11:29 AM (16 of 19)
Ksnative, what is it that you don't like about rotary cutters. Do you mean you cut out your quilt pieces with scissors.  I have great admiration for what you do. It seems the quilts mean more to the creators than the lucky recipients sometimes. MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: WyoHandStitch
Date: 02-14-2005, 11:39 AM (17 of 19)
 I saw that somebody else doesn't use a rotary cutter... MEEE neither. I cut all pieces by hand, draw sewing lines on every piece, I'm neurotic to get all those ANNOYING steps done, cause it pays off in the end. I don't use the rotary cutter because have to put too much pressure on it to get it to cut all the way through & not leave threads uncut & suddenly unraveling. All I have to work on - from cutting to putting the whole thing together in the end is...I'm embarrassed....a CARD TABLE!!!! Don't have anything bigger! Someday maybe - want one of those big banquet tables! But not at this point. It works. You just hafta be careful! I was afraid I WAS the only one that didn't use a rotary cause people look at me like I'm. Ummm CRAZY????? LOL!!!
Keep those thimbles clickin,
Laura B. Yep - one of these days.... |
User: WyoHandStitch
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 5
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From: MaryW
Date: 02-14-2005, 12:05 PM (18 of 19)
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Crazy??? Not at all,just totally dedicated to your craft. Some would call you a purist.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
|
From: WyoHandStitch
Date: 02-14-2005, 04:25 PM (19 of 19)
This is an AWESOME book mostly of different blocks, but there are 30 blocks 10 quilt maps. And some great border / sashing tips, etc. There are NO Y-seams, "perfect star points", no dog ears, and the blocks lie flat. (That's whta the book says - I'm finding 99% of that to be true, though you do of course have to watch your matching & seam allowances to have perfect points. It is called Stars by Magic by Nancy Johnson-Srebro, C&T Publishing, ISBN #1-57120-241-2. Not TOO expensive - cost me $29.00 which is suggested retail and in Wyo you are doing good to get things for suggested retail! Does anybody have any other lone star quilt pattern books they could recommend?? I LOVE  THEM!!!!
Keep those thimbles clickin,
Laura B. Yep - one of these days.... |
User: WyoHandStitch
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 5
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