Quilting Progress

I'm excited to show you what I've accomplished with my hand quilting on the Pastor's Attic this week. 

Quilting between applique rows 1 and 2 happened this week. For the first time you can see the designs in the center corners of the blocks. I couldn't reach to the top of the designs but I think you'll get the idea.

You can see how I'm quilting into the above applique block. The top applique hasn't been quilted.

The edge of the corner quilting shows.

I enlarged the picture so you can see the quilting easier.

 The design will be finished after I roll next week. 

The fabric looks more yellow in some of the photos. The cream is the true color.

I enjoyed appliqueing this red design. It took awhile but it was fun.

The next corner section. I stitched on the edge of the seam allowance making sure I quilted the least amount of bulk.

This block was also fun to applique. At the Davis Mercantile in Shipshewana, they have a quilt on display with all the blocks this design. Maybe someday.

I've never used this stencil before. I was able to reach to the top so this design is finished.

For fun I fussy cut the centers of these flowers. 

This is the right edge of the quilt. This is half a stencil on the edge. This is the same design as the second picture at the top.

I got the idea to have quilting designs in the corners years ago when I saw an antique quilt quilted this way. Of course I don't remember which quilt it was anymore, maybe Benjamin Biggs?

When I appliqued these blocks, I did not cut out the fabric behind the flowers and leaves. That would have made less bulk for quilting but the antique appliqued quilts weren't sewn that way. This way when my applique is old, worn and wears off, the original fabric will be underneath to make repairs easier.

Several of you have commented on how I'll be glad when this quilt is finished. I haven't thought that far ahead! I'll be glad to have the first row of applique completed next Sunday. There are four more rows of applique after this row is completed.

Hand quilting is not a fast activity. If you want speed, have your quilt machine stitched!

Linking to Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitching, Oh Scrap, Show & Tell Monday With Bambi, Monday Making, Design Wall Monday, BOM's Away, Moving It Forward, Esther's Wednesday WOW!