I have been making a quilt for a family friend. It's a t-shirt quilt, in honor of their daughter who passed away unexpectedly. I used her shirts to create a simple block quilt, and now am in the process of quilting it. I decided to quilt by hand; not only do I like the look of hand quilting, but I really wanted to put my love into it. She was such an amazing young woman who was taken far too soon and I have known her since the day she came home from the hospital. In moments like that it feels like there is so little you can do for the family, but if this little contribution helps even a little I am happy.
The quilt is pretty large...30 blocks that are 12" square (running 5 blocks across, 6 down). I'm leaving the center of the block plain and quilting around the perimeter with navy thread. I watched a lot of videos and did some reading on hand quilting before I began, but even so I'm pretty slow. I haven't quite found my groove to be able put more than one stitch at a time on my needle, but its getting there. I haven't poked myself with the needle yet anyway! :) I probably should use a thimble, but mine has gone missing and so far I really haven't needed it. (Watch, now I've jinxed myself!)
Jewel has been very "helpful" as I sit and quilt...in a flash she will jump on my lap and settle in for a cuddle...she doesn't understand that this blanket isn't an invitation for her. :) How she hasn't landed on the needle mid-stitch yet I have no idea!
I'll be back in a couple days with a couple of new paper projects...they are there, in pieces on my desk, waiting for me to have a chance to sit down and finish them up. Maybe if I have a little time I'll even post again later today, but no promises this moment. Somewhere I still need to fit in time to vacuum! lol
