My last stash report for 2015: I weeded 7 yards from my stash to give to my Guild's Pay N Take corner. I used .02 yd of fabric to make hexies for my latest hexagon project. That brings me to a YTDtotal of 103.35 yards de-stashed. I have exceeded my 100 yard de-stashing goal. Yeah! What with the holidays, I didn't get as much done on my hexie project as I hoped, but did manage to make 2 rosettes for the next round. I put together the rosettes first making vertical rows and then attaching the three rows together. In this instance, they seemed to go together faster than sewing on a noodle of hexies - at least that was my impression.
The other project I was working on was a set of ornaments that I will finish by Dec 30th for the Holiday luncheon of our old Co-Op group. We've been meeting monthly for the last 37 years. So I can't miss it. I'll show them to you later this week. More hand work that has kept me busy as I convalesce. I'm linking to Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitching. Are you slow stitching?
Despite the hip (which everyday is getting a bit better - Praise God!) we attended 4 festivities - 4 in 4 days that is and a bit tiring- so had a wonderful Christmas and hope you did, too! Looking forward to visiting you in the coming quilty NEW YEAR - 2016. Blessings from Angie in SoCal
Used 1/4 yard to make binding for baby quilt. Yes, I finished the FMQ. New YTDtotal is 96.32 yards de-stashed. Now to bind it - lol.
Finished my Hexie medallion. I've been using invisible thread to put these hexies together. When I first started doing EPP, all the tutorials suggested one use thread closest to the fabric of the shape. But what about when one is putting two disparate colored hexies together? And I just don't have that many different shades of thread. I didn't like how the thread stood out on those. I use invisible thread for machine applique. So why not for hand sewing? So I got out my spool of thread and a needle, some hexies and began. It wasn't the easiest thing to do at first until I discovered some steps:
1. Use Superior Invisible thread - it supple, soft and strong. The light version will work will fabrics of light and medium values; the smoke with the dark values.
2. Use a good lamp to backlight your work. That means it's in front of you not over a shoulder.
The backlighting makes the thread pop into view.
3. Invisible thread tends to curl from how it is wound. Be sure to thread it onto your needle as it came off the spool. You'll have less knots form and can control it better. Hold the thread and needle up to the light so it is backlighted - a piece of cake to thread that needle. Also a 12 - 16" length of thread to lessen snags formed.
4. Since the invisible thread is an extra fine polyester monofilament, do 5 turns around the needle to make a knot big enough to not go through the fabric.
5. Once you've started your stitching on a hexagon pair:
make your stitches 1/16th apart.
use your fingers on your left hand to control the thread. (of vice-versa if you're a lefty)
once the needle has gone through, pull the thread away from you laying it over your index finger. (I'm using black thread here so you can see it better)
Give a tug for a tight stitch. Bring your third finger up and over the thread to have it snug on your index finger
This will keep the thread behind your work and less likely to snag. Also with the invisible thread lying snug on your finger you'll be able to see (or feel) where the next stitch starts. As you see in the photo the needle is just to the right of the black thread.
Here's my medallion with the border round done. It now measures 15.75" high and 14" wide.
I'm linking to Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitching. How about you? Leave me a comment and I'll come see what you're up to. Remember sewing even for 15 minutes will calm your day.
