Sunday, March 17, 2024

Hearts & Wreaths

As usual, more hand quilting from Hearts & Wreaths.

Here are pictures of the blocks from left to right.





Last week someone asked if my fingers have callouses? Yes, my finger tips are fairly calloused but I have dry skin and I get cracks sometimes. Then I use a light coat of super glue. That seems to take care of the cracks.

Also, when I do any kind of hand stitching, quilting, embroidery, applique, I use a thimble on the middle finger of my right hand. I don't buy the expensive kind but a metal one from the fabric store. Interestingly, I need a smaller thimble in the winter than the summer. I don't understand the reasoning behind that but it's true!

17 comments:

Kim said...

Gretchen, your quilting is truly stupendous! Such a delight to scroll through each photo to see the sublime quilting but to also delight in all the little gems of fabrics in the leaves and hearts. How gorgeous this quilt must be to see and feel. The texture must be amazing. I always have calloused fingers after a lot of hand quilting. Though I have tried many thimbles for some reason I can't seem to use one.

Kate said...

You are making steady progress with the quilting and it all looks great. Happy stitching this week.

Angela said...

Your blocks are absolutely gorgeous!

Deb A said...

Such beautiful stitching on these blocks. It is always fun to see all the fabrics in the leaves and hearts and the quilting is setting them off perfectly. That's interesting about the thimbles, I wonder if it is due to the temperatures being cooler in winter and the fingers not swelling in the heat? Have a wonderful week.

TerryKnott.blogspot.com said...

Stunning! Each block is coming to life under your nimble needle! I love watching your progress!

Quilter Kathy said...

I find that too with my thimbles! I need a larger one in the summer - also the time of day makes my fingers different sizes, using a larger thimble in the evening. Must be fluid retention?
Gorgeous quilting!

Sarah Aldrich said...

I also need different sizes of thimbles in the summer and winter. Generally in the summer everything swells just a little and my winter thimble doesn’t fit. Maybe it’s that everyth8ng contracts in the colder months. Not sure, but two sizes of thimbles it is.

Karrin Hurd said...

Gorgeous quilting and applique! I never tire seeing it. Happy stitching!

Raewyn said...

Beautiful quilting Gretchen. Is the super glue reference something you actually do?

CathieJ said...

I have yet to find a metal thimble that comfortably fits my wide fingers. I have large and X-large ones that are too small. I tend to use leather thimbles when quilting. I stock up as I go through them quickly. Your quilting is really progressing beautifully.

Jayne Honnold said...

Gretchen,this is so gorgeous! I just love how colorful this is! Your stitching is exquisite, too! Well done!

Linda said...

You must really enjoy stitching on these blocks because they are so pretty! How fun to be able to enjoy it up close as you stitch.

Jeanna said...

Your hand quilting is gorgeous! I watched someone hand quilt and she used a metal thimble on her middle finger and had a leather cover on her thumb. It was interesting.

Sara said...

Your hand quilting is so beautiful. And what a clever technique to use super glue on your finger to seal a crack in the skin. I've never really mastered using a thimble, and maybe it's a size issue.

Maggie said...

Dear Gretchen,
Moo cream as my family calls it or aka, Utterly Smooth cream. It is truly the most amazing cream for quilting fingers that take the longest to recover. Before going to bed, I would wash my hands and rub a little bit of the moo cream on. The next morning my skin is soft again and healed. Your quilt is gorgeous and the colours uplifting with the crazy weather we are having! Have a great day.

Melva said...

Beautiful 😍 Thanks for sharing in Sew and Tell.

Brenda @ Songbird Designs said...

Your quilting is just amazing, Gretchen! What a treasure this quilt is! Thanks for sharing with us at Monday Musings!