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kate henry 11-15-2012 08:10 AM

Hand sewing quilt patterns
 
I am going to be in bed pretty soon and would love to have patterns that don't need sewing machines.My back is going to put a stop to much machine sewing. I am currently making a cathedral window and found some variations of this but would love to have some other choices. Hope this doesn't sound dumb. I will be trying to see what I can do about cutting and etc. SIL is great about things like this. Thanks for any help you can give. I know any quilt can be hand done but some would be more fun than others.

cjr 11-15-2012 08:36 AM

double wedding ring or grandmother's flower garden

Pink Lady 11-15-2012 09:16 AM

I love doing sampler's every block is different so you never get tied of one block. Also a charm quilt is nice to do using up your left over fabric.

willferg 11-16-2012 07:25 AM

Maybe a yo-yo quilt? Or some embroidery -- I've found I love redwork!

cowpie2 11-16-2012 07:35 AM

I have a similar issue, after an hour at a machine my back is screaming. I've tried every type of set up for the machine, but nothing helps. I can sit on the couch or in a comfy chair and hand sew for hours. Currently working with hexagons is my favorite. I did a slightly modified GFG in a queen size and a crib size GFG with small hexis for my granddaughter. Newest project I am trying to give a modern or manly twist to so I am using just three colors, red batik center, dark blue batik around the center to make a diamond shape and then a gray path.

But honestly, most any pattern you like you can hand piece. I use 1/4 inch quilting tape to mark my seam width when I am piecing squares and triangles.

Peckish 11-16-2012 08:00 AM


Originally Posted by cowpie2 (Post 5660821)
I've tried every type of set up for the machine, but nothing helps. I can sit on the couch or in a comfy chair and hand sew for hours.

Sounds to me like maybe it's not your sewing machine set up, it's the kind of chair you're using to sit in as you sew...?

Kate, you might check out Inklingo.com. Lots of ideas there for hand piecing, and it's actually a neat system for printing your cutting lines and seam allowances directly onto the fabric. Makes it very easy and simple to hand-piece.

Hinterland 11-16-2012 08:03 AM

If I'm hand piecing, I like to do patterns that are a bit more challenging to do by machine - mariners compass or feathered star, for example. For me, anything with triangles is easier if I sew by hand!

Applique is also a good hand sewing project.

Janet

kbonafede 11-16-2012 08:06 AM

I like two different quilts for hand piecing -- The Farmers Wife with 144 different block which are 6 inches each, and of course the Dear Jane quilt with 4 inch blocks. You may want to google both quilts, and Amazon has the books at a very low price. I think you will totally enjoy doing your hand piecing project. I find hand piecing very satisfying. I also recommend the little wooden stick for finger-pressing the seams --- it makes your work so much more clean at the seams. Tell us what you choose to do for the hand piecing projects, please.

Pat625 11-16-2012 09:25 AM

How about Hickory nuts? I bought the templates for times that I am not up and about..There is a great tutorial for using them on here...

feline fanatic 11-16-2012 09:57 AM

Winding ways, hearts and gizzards, tumbling blocks or anything with set in seams. Now is the time to try your hand at needle turn applique.

Jinny Beyer is the queen of hand piecing and she has beautiful blocks and patterns on her website (even some free)

Nantie 11-16-2012 10:06 AM

I agree you should check out Jinny Beyers website she has plenty of free blocks and patterns

NancyL746 11-16-2012 10:10 AM

I love to hand peice. Ifound I can handpeice any pattern that is made for machine peicing

simpsonfs 11-17-2012 04:52 AM

If I were going to hand piece I would definitely investigate Inklingo. You can buy patterns but also buy the ability to print your pieces on the wrong side of the fabric by using Inklingo templates and fabric backed with freezer paper. Inklingo has tons of shapes and ideas. I have bought a few of the larger shapes for machine piecing. The program prints the cutting edge and the sewing line and the pieces I have sewn have gone together beautifully. Read up on it. Linda Franz the owner is always available to help answer questions and get you through the process if confusion arises. I love it. There is a little fabric waste but you can work with it and alleviate some of it.

Janie67 11-17-2012 05:30 AM

Ardco.com has metal templates for a variety of patterns in various sizes. I like to hand piece and have used several of their template sets to do so. They are metal backed with sandpaper type surface and have cutting line and sewing line therefore very accurate.

KalamaQuilts 11-17-2012 05:51 AM

here is the link to Inklingo
http://lindafranz.com/

JNCT14 11-17-2012 06:37 AM

Drunkard's Path is a good one for hand piecing and one I liked a lot was Karen Combs Celtic Illusions. Thedesigns are gorgeous and lend themselves to hand piecing. Also any type of needle turn applique such as the Baltimores. AND - how about a whole cloth quilt?

mumzer 11-17-2012 07:05 AM

I love hand piecing. Take the time during the day to set up all the pieces then get comfortable in the evening and sew. Any pattern will work. I have made many different blocks this way. Just finished the BIG STAR by Jenny last night. It is a nice way to see if you like a block when you can just do one. I think the hardest thing for me is finding blocks I like that are all the same size.

gramquilter2 11-17-2012 07:42 AM

Grandma's Flower Garden is a good handpiecing project. "Quilts from Grandmother's Flower Garden" by Jaynette Huff has some nice wall quilts that may be a good bed project.

donna13350 11-17-2012 11:51 AM

I have a bad back, also, but have found ways to work around it. The first is to use a hospital tray table..the feet slide right under your sofa, bed or chair..and the height is adjustable with a hand crank..that way you can sit in your favorite chair or even in bed and still sew. The way to get around the foot pedal is to buy an old hand crank machine..they work great for piecing. Or..you can buy one of the computerized brother machines(at walmart for $139.00, and $199.00, depending on bells and whistles),that will sew without the foot pedal..you just use a button on the machine to start/stop, and a slider to set you speed..I got the hang of mine very quickly.I'm sure there are other brands and other stores, but I'm familiar with the brother, and like it very much for piecing when I'm out of commission and can't sit at my regular machine. Good luck to you!

DottyD 11-17-2012 12:03 PM


Originally Posted by kbonafede (Post 5660889)
I like two different quilts for hand piecing -- The Farmers Wife with 144 different block which are 6 inches each, and of course the Dear Jane quilt with 4 inch blocks. You may want to google both quilts, and Amazon has the books at a very low price. I think you will totally enjoy doing your hand piecing project. I find hand piecing very satisfying. I also recommend the little wooden stick for finger-pressing the seams --- it makes your work so much more clean at the seams. Tell us what you choose to do for the hand piecing projects, please.

Hi

Here is a link Re Dear Jane - where there is a tutorial for each of the little blocks ! Lots to be hand pieced here and if you prep some up - there is a lot you can do - until you can sit at your machine again !

http://thatquilt.blogspot.co.uk

All the best !

GammaLou 11-17-2012 12:35 PM

The hexagons for grandmother's flower garden are very easy and can be put together in a variety of interesting designs.

GeeGee 11-17-2012 09:55 PM

The Cathedral Window and the Reversible Quilt As You Go are my two favorite quilts to hand-piece. The greatest part is when you finish your blocks your quilt is done. Since you are doing the Cathedral Window I think you would love the Reversible QAYG. The process is similar but the outcome is much different. I have made 4 of these and thoroughly enjoyed making them, one from 30's Aunt Grace fabric, one from Civil War Repro fabric, one from plaids and one from home spuns.

This is the link for the tutorial http://www.quiltingboard.com/tutoria...go-t42722.html I do not use white in this quilt but I do use lights snd darks.

God Bless and hope you have a speedy recovery.


By the way I use the blind stitch or ladder stitch when connecting the blocks so the back is as pretty as the front.

stillclock 11-17-2012 10:47 PM

jinny beyer's book "quiltmaking by hand" is definitely worth taking a look at :)

aileen

GeeGee 11-17-2012 11:27 PM

When making the Reversible QAYG I started out with 4.5 inch squares instead of the 8 inch used in the tutorial.

DOTTYMO 11-17-2012 11:34 PM

2 Attachment(s)
Having just had two spells of hospital treatment and followed by weeks months of sitting recuperating I went to many ideas. I had collected them in the weeks before and had a collection of boxes. I did find though after op one I was unable to use 1 hand properly and tried crochet instead . Then I did knitting and embroidery . Before the second op I purchased a singer feather weight , the small vintage machine in full working order. It is very light. Robust and mine only goes backwards and forwards. Made mug holders with pockets as they are very forgiving, weekend bags for children visiting dad at weekends and a few children's presents. Here are photos of projects done. With the magic squares I started the book way ended up designing my own way. Only problem I had you can see in the picture was the way I started. PM me to find more. Paper piecing is a great love so enjoyed this. I found cutting was problem so I had a selection of charm packs they have been very useful. My other problem was I live alone so no one to shop for me so had a large selection to go at. Still having problems only 2weeks since last op but my little sewing machine great.

ckcowl 11-18-2012 02:34 AM

you can hand piece any quilt you want---except maybe paper pieced ones (although i've made foundation pieced ones by hand) visit Jenny Beyer's web site & look at her gallery of quilts---Jenny hand pieces all of her quilts.
the great thing about hand piecing is the accuracy- i always have a couple hand projects going - use the machine for speed/convienience.

kateyb 11-18-2012 07:56 AM

I have done the Turkey Tracks block by machine and after doing one block I think it would be easier to do by hand. It is a bit more challenging than most. I found it in an old book. Award Winning Quilts by Effie Chalmers Pforr copywrite 1974. It may be on Amazon.

DottyD 11-18-2012 01:57 PM

Hi Dottymo (Maureen !) - I wonder if I am not replying properly to your PM as I did answer your PM - so wanted to ensure you receive this answer to your kind info in the original thread. Thank you very much and I will research it further - and also for your method of doing the square. I am so sorry if you did not get the replies I have sent.
With grateful thanks,
DottyD.

nhnative 11-18-2012 01:58 PM

1 Attachment(s)
This is the Lucy Boston block. It is english paper piecing and it is done with templates that are a honeycomb and a 2 x 3" piece of fabric

kate henry 11-22-2012 08:24 AM

I want to thank all of you for all your help. Today being Thanksgiving I want to wish you all a wonderful day. This Board is a great thing. I sit and have coffee and look at all the good things on all different treads. Thanks for being here......

soccertxi 11-22-2012 08:52 AM

How about a stab at hand applique? The possiblities are endless! I was never much of a fan, but have started to catch the applique bug! my AhHA moment was when I found a technique that takes little prep of the pieces.

Here is a link to a tutorial...I sew the other way. I think she is left handed. I like a straw needle and silk thread. Silk can be hard to find, but any thin thread that you like is a great starter. I also don't mark my pieces on top. I may try that. I usually just turn the piece over to see how close I am to the marked pattern on the back. When I get my design traced, all I need is needle, thread and small pair of scissors. Hope your surgery goes well. Come chat with us in the chat room when you are able!

http://sentimentalstitches.net/instr...hand-applique/

nhnative 11-22-2012 10:01 AM

Have a Happy Thanksgiving everyone

Sheepshed 11-22-2012 12:34 PM

Machine sewing... and sitting... . Contrary to what the ergonomics experts seem to say, about height and how high or low hands and forearms, etc. are... what determines how I can sit is eye-to-needle focus; and using magnification on eyeglasses does make things sharp, but it also changes the focal distance... eyes-to-needle. They can rattle on all they want about height of chair, platforms, feet, shoulders, hands, forearms.. but it all comes down to *it has to be in focus for MY eyes. Surgeons have high-quality actual tiny binocularsto wear over their glasses during surgery... but we quilters have to find the correct *in focus* distance from eyes-to-needle, and work from there. My machine is sitting on a 1 inch high board, which helps bringit up to the focal distance I need. Everything else has to work around that... height of chair, platform under feet, etc. I have asked several eye doctors about the focal distance as magnification of my glasses changes, and they all said the same thing.. **can I request 3.50X magnification for reading, and ask to have it focused at 16 inches.. the answer is NO.
SO... maybe you are trying to follow the ergonomic/back doctors advice, who dont take into consideration what your eyes need, and you are bending over to get things in focus?? Itsa thought...
I dont think hand-piecers are confined to hexagons and english paper piecing and other things.. like you said, any block can be made by hand. . I like to make oversized squares for HSTs and fourpatches, then they can be marked and stitched mindlessly on the pencil lines, and squared up afterwards. If you get all the HSTs and fourpatches very exact.. it helps with the rest of the block assembly.
Jinny Beyer also has a clever little pointy ruler for marking the *match points* where the stitching lines end... for triangles and other funny shaped pieces... it does need a 0.5 mechanical pencil for the small holes you mark the dots with.. I have a regular lead 0.5 pencil but need a yellow one for darker colors (perhaps Fons&Porter at joanns, they have that I think).
I think the important thing will be that you really LIKE the block(s) you pick to work on. Also, depending how many hours of 24/7 you are confined to bed... fix up some slightly angled desktop thing to use.. perhaps.. or save the marking and cutting for when you are out of bed.
I have always had to cut sitting in a wheelchair and I have found I cut more accurately, and apparently more safely (knocking on wood), than anyone I know. Good luck...

amandasgramma 11-22-2012 01:16 PM

Dresden Plate --- I'm on my 2nd one hand-sewing. BUT -- to be truthful -- ANY PATTERN can be hand sewn!!!

maryb119 11-22-2012 04:29 PM

I have made 4 quilts...all hand pieced and hand quilted. They each took a long time but turned out beautifully. You can hand piece any pattern.


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