I am certifiably insane. I have decided to hand quilt my Leap Year Schnibble.
So. The hand quilting thing. I decided to do it for a couple of reasons. First, that wide expanse of lattice and border just calls out for something more than Stitch In The Vicinity of the Ditch. Second, do you ever just want to get back to our quilting roots? I think it has been going on 25 years since I hand quilted anything. Time to re-explore that technique, and this little project is the perfect vehicle.
The quilting of the lattice and borders will go really fast. Then, I just may machine quilt the blocks with a cross hatch pattern. There isn't a rule that you can't mix hand quilting and machine quilting in the same project is there? If so, I hearby break that rule.
I used my Frixion pen to mark the design on the lattice and borders. I tell you, I was holding my breath while I was drawing those black pen marks on the pristine white borders. Oh dear, what if it never comes out? I kind of messed up with my tracing in one spot, wanted a re-do, and thought I would test the pen's ability to disappear when heat is applied.
No problem. Love those pens.
Just a touch of a hot iron, and "Gone, baby, gone".
Nicole- Good for you for getting back to our roots with your hand quilting! I can only attempt what I call Big Stitch Quilting but some projects work for those larger chunky stitches. I use pearle cotton. And I love the look of handquilting mixed with some machine quilting. No rules!
Posted by: Linda W. | July 03, 2012 at 05:07 AM
I'm about to start a big hand quilting project too. I think its fine to "break the rules"!! I will probably be joining you! Lol
Your quilting looks great!
Posted by: Miriam | July 03, 2012 at 05:11 AM
I don't know how you do it, with all of your responsibilities you still manage to put me to shame with your speedy progress. Perhaps I should go back to work (lol - no way!!!).
The hand quilting is looking good and why not mix things up by using different techniques - you are doing it for you and not for the "quilt police".
Posted by: CarlaHR | July 03, 2012 at 05:59 AM
It is always nice to have some hand work on hand..did you know you can put your erased frixion project in the freezer and the marks will come back..give it a try on a scrap. I love your little leap year quilt..it will be stunning when it is quilted.
Posted by: Patt Anderson | July 03, 2012 at 06:01 AM
Love the quilting and I'm very interested in that pen you used to mark the quilting pattern. I have a pen that marks nicely but becomes permanent if heated - like with an iron. Those marks come out over time and exposure to air.
I also combine hand and machine quilting. It's your quilt and your creation, so do whatever you want to!
You put me to shame, too. Sigh!
Yesterday I saw a bumper sticker that said "I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy every minute of it!!" So, enjoy!!
Hugs!
Posted by: Barbara Anne | July 03, 2012 at 06:04 AM
I still love hand quilting. . . .and do it as often as I can.
Your quilt is coming out lovely.
Posted by: Sherry V. | July 03, 2012 at 06:27 AM
I don't hand quilt anymore as the fingers are too stiff. But you just go ahead and do so, and mix it with machine quilting. Just because you can! I need to find that Frixion pen.....so tired of markings not coming out the way they say they will!
Posted by: Marge | July 03, 2012 at 06:52 AM
Cute idea for the sashing! And since there are NO quilt police here you go right ahead and add some machine quilting!! I took a hand quilting class that taught me...I don't think I will ever be a hand quilter!! I DO love the hand sewing part of bindings; hand quilting, not so much!
Posted by: Jan | July 03, 2012 at 06:53 AM
I choose to hand quilt because I find it relaxing whereas so far machine quilting makes me tense. I hope you enjoyed it.
Posted by: Gretchen | July 03, 2012 at 06:56 AM
Hi Nicole,
Your hand quilting project reminds me that Darlene Zimmerman's quilting books almost always mix hand with machine quilting. There you have it from a professional - it's okay to use both on a quilt. Your quilt is lovely. Enjoy! Stephani in TX (Tomazec@aol.com)
Posted by: Stephani in TX | July 03, 2012 at 07:04 AM
I loved this: "Stitch In The Vicinity of the Ditch" That was so funny! Mostly because I know EXACTLY what you are talking about. You would think that with the feed dogs pulling and you just steering, the process wouldn't be so difficult!!
Kudos on the hand quilting.. I'll admire from afar. I dislike the quilting process regardless of what method is used, but I have a lot of respect for those that love it.
Posted by: Sandy | July 03, 2012 at 07:16 AM
Those pens are an amazing addition to our toolbox! As a Longarm quilter I very rarely get to sit and hand sew but last week I spent an afternoon finishing my daughters grad dress that she made, what a relaxing way to spend time! ps I love your leap year!
Posted by: Wendy | July 03, 2012 at 07:17 AM
Wow, it looks great! I've not tried the pens yet. The only quilt I hand quilted I did the 1/4" from the seam. Have you tried the paper templates?? I have used them a couple of times on wide borders and like them, A LOT! They have the tapey things along the side, and you can quilt just about any pattern they have available. After quilting you just rip up the paper (carefully). But it sure looks better then my sloppy hand quilting ;-)
Posted by: Jocelyn | July 03, 2012 at 07:26 AM
Your Leap Year quilt is very pretty; love the colours in the fabric you chose and your hand quilting is looking really nice. Good job.
Posted by: Erica | July 03, 2012 at 07:30 AM
Gorgeous quilt and love your HQ! Be careful with the Fixion Pens...they are OK on white fabric but will take the colour out of the coloured fabric after you iron it out...give it a test! Write on your coloured fabric, then iron out...do you see the line? Have fun!
P
Posted by: Paulette Doyle | July 03, 2012 at 07:55 AM
I love your hand quilting!! I've done hand and machine quilting in many quilts. No rule breaking there....or maybe I'm a rule breaker too! Who knows.....we make our own rules!! Lol!!!
Posted by: Ariane | July 03, 2012 at 08:23 AM
Looks good! Great idea to mix both styles in your quilt - after all, it is YOUR quilt!
Posted by: sillysally | July 03, 2012 at 09:14 AM
I've heard that after you iron out the pen marks, if you put the fabric in the freezer the marks would come back. I doubt we will be freezing our fabrics but it does validate that the markings "really" haven't been removed. Just like the blue mark-b-gone, you can spray them away, but unless you soak your quilt, the blue can come back.
Yes, I did one top where I machine quilted the ditch, hand quilted the stars and border, and then did big stitch w/perl ctn in the plain setting squares. Mix it all up, it's your quilt. I love hand quiting, I always have a project to stitch. I've been teaching hand quilting and we have been pleasantly surprised with the interest, we've filled 4 classes this past winter.
Posted by: Sharon | July 03, 2012 at 09:55 AM
I think it looks great Nicole. You are a wonder to me because of all your energy and enthusiasm. Keep it up, girl!
Posted by: Linda Nichols | July 03, 2012 at 09:56 AM
I love hand quilting and trying to do more of it. I want to get projects finished. Good for you and combining both methods is ok in my book.
Posted by: Elaine S. | July 03, 2012 at 11:35 AM
I feel when it comes to quilting there shouldn't really be any rules, just go with what makes you feel good. I haven't hand quilted in years either. I have done a few queen size ones years ago. The lattices look great so far. I think I will have to get one of those pens.
Posted by: Lee | July 03, 2012 at 11:35 AM
Toss that Frixion pen! They are bad news...there are stories to be told!!!
Posted by: Mary Flynn | July 03, 2012 at 01:43 PM
Love the leap year quilt! Love the 49 patch! I've never tried that pen - that scares me half to death... but I will take your word for it and get one! :O)
Posted by: Bari Jo | July 03, 2012 at 05:04 PM
YIKES! You're brave! ;p
Posted by: ina | July 03, 2012 at 05:55 PM
I have GOT to get me one of those pens. Love the quilt! Karmen
Posted by: Karmen | July 04, 2012 at 07:26 AM