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Starbelt Mini Quilt (& Eating Crow)

3/2/2017

13 Comments

 
Starbelt Mini Quilt {Sarah Nunes @BerryBarnDesigns} pattern by Michelle Bartholomew #starbeltquilt #shotcotton
If you've followed my blog for a while, you know I hate hand stitching. My binding is always machine stitched. My quilting is longarmed or domesticated. And I will never, ever handquilt a darn thing for as long as I live. Ever. Not even... um...... ok, boy was that crow surprisingly tasty! Folks, I TRIED IT. And I LIKED it! (A whole lot more than when my mom tried that trick with broccoli, too!)
Starbelt Mini Quilt {Sarah Nunes @BerryBarnDesigns} pattern by Michelle Bartholomew #starbeltquilt #shotcotton
This mini quilt was a swap gift I made for Yvonne of Quilting JetGirl. The pattern is called Starbelt, and it was designed by one of her Quilt Theory cofounders, Michelle Bartholomew. I know Yvonne loves blues, and I had these two colors on hand in shot cotton, which paired beautifully (and are a little more blue in person than they appear here - they were hard to photograph and capture the color correctly). 
Starbelt Mini Quilt {Sarah Nunes @BerryBarnDesigns} pattern by Michelle Bartholomew #starbeltquilt #shotcotton
Once I finished piecing, I jumped right in with my trusty domestic machine to get it quilted. But after a few passes, it was obvious it needed something more. Something... BY HAND *gasp*. Fortunately, I had a little 12 wt. thread (I don't know when or where from?) and decided to give it a go. A few afternoons stitching on the porch later, and I had a first time ever handquilted project ever that I was proud of! I doubt I'll ever be sharing a full size quilt that I've hand stitched for weeks, BUT on this smaller scale, it was a really relaxing, rhythmic process, and I quite like the effect of mixing machine and hand quilting. ​I can definitely see myself using hand work to embellish projects in the future. 
What about you? Do you prefer one quilting process to the other? Like them mixed? Have a favorite thread or needle to recommend?
(I really want to try Aurifil 12 wt, but I'm imagining a rainbow array of rich brights that they don't sell in a collection yet. I have a thread card coming soon, though, and then I can start putting my own set together ; )
Picture
Linking up with Let's Bee Social and Needle & Thread Thursday.

Mini Quilt stats: Finished size 20" x 20"
Pattern: Starbelt by Michelle Bartholomew
Fabric: (block) Kaffe Fassett's Shot Cotton in Aegean & Jade, Kona Cotton in Snow, (binding) Kaffe fassett's Shot Cotton in Magenta
Batting: Warm & Natural Cotton
Thread: Piecing, Aurifil 2021 (50 wt); Machine Quilting, Aurifil 4140 & 1148 (50 wt); Handquilting Sulky 1024, 1046 & 1307 (12 wt)
13 Comments
tisha @ quiltytherapy link
3/2/2017 07:58:17

That is my initial response to hand quilting as well. I have a few projects coming up that would be great to blend both machine and hand quilting. Lovely mini finish by the way.

Reply
Yvonne @Quilting Jetgirl link
3/2/2017 09:14:59

Thank you so much for the wonderful mini; I do love that you used Michelle's pattern. And what an honor to get your first hand quilted piece. It is beautifully done and I would never have thought it was your first hand quilting had you not said so!

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janequiltsslowly
3/2/2017 09:15:08

I have done quite a bit of hand quilting using the big stitch method with 12wt Aurifil. I also mix hand and machine quilting. I have a 12wt box of Aurifil that Victoria Findlay Wolff selected. It's called Fresh Modern & Timeless. Love your mini! 💙

Reply
Leanne Parsons link
3/2/2017 16:58:45

It's beautiful, Sarah! The hand quilting is the perfect touch :) I used to hand quilt everything, then got away from it completely. I've started hand quilting another project, but haven't worked on it in a few weeks.

Reply
Kathy link
3/2/2017 17:55:37

Beautiful! You know the cliche...never say never! I doubt I will ever completely hand quilt a quilt but I do love the mix of machine and hand quilting!

Reply
Rachel link
3/3/2017 10:03:19

Very pretty! I love your big stitch quilting. I like to do both hand and machine, but I don't often mix them together. :) Your mix looks good!

Reply
Gemini Jen NZ link
3/3/2017 20:31:11

A mini is ideal for trying out handstitching. Great job! I usually machine quilt and finish binding by hand, but am practising my machine binding technique.

Reply
Anja @ Anja Quilts
3/3/2017 21:31:57

Oh my...I don't like handquilting.....You did an amazing job. I keep seeing such wonderful projects but I haven't attempted it...yet... LOL

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Preeti link
3/5/2017 04:46:20

Your hand quilting stitches are so neat and orderly. I am amazed. The only time I hand stitch is when I have to put the sleeves for the quilt show, which got done thanks to the long commercials on the Oscars night.

Reply
Melanie link
3/7/2017 07:18:56

Simple, yet stunning mini quilt. Love the extra interest additional hand quilting gives. Though I am currently on the "never" track :)

Reply
Ioleen
3/9/2017 10:32:26

Beautiful mini. I have not tried hand quilting but may give it a try one day.

Reply
Lace Faerie
4/6/2017 11:42:45

Love this mini! Eagerly awaiting the pattern.
Do you use the stab method (stab down, stab up, two separate motions) or the scoop method (running stitch, like sewing)??

Reply
Jo Fifield link
4/22/2017 06:04:02

I've been Big Stitching since 1997 and I love hand quilting. I own a small quiltshop in Eastern Iowa. My preferred brand of thread is Presencia and I use a size 12, for a needle is use Richard Hemming size 5 between. Enjoy!

Reply



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    Sarah Nunes @BerryBarnDesigns
    Welcome! I'm Sarah. As a milmompreneur maker, wherever I go, I quilt, teach & sew! ​{Bio}  
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