I was asked how i stitch my Granma's Flower Garden, but i can't put pictures into my answer :( So, please indulge me

I hand quilt around each little hexagon just inside the hexagon. And while that seems daunting - it actually hasn't been bad because i've found a way to keep a running stitch...

I have seen alot where the 'top & bottom' of each color has been quilted - eliminating quilting between the hexagons. Look at the picture w/ the masking tape..

I even saw a quilt where the quilter quilted straight lines all the way across the quilt - dividing the hexagons into 3 sec - It actually didn't look bad.

Daggone - it's hard to draw straight lines in Paint
:oops: :roll:

..Hope you were able to make heads & tails out of this...

Thank you for the great tute!! It is very helpful :D:D:D

You are so good to show us pics with your directions. My mom made a similar pattern way back in the 30's and did it just like you are doing in the top pics. What a lot of handwork. I so much admire yours and naturally hers.

thanks for indulging me - didn't think to put this in the tutorial section :oops:

I've been quilting on this since the middle of Aug and i'm about 2/3 done. Goodness - i watch a lot of TV!! Nor do i have a life! ;)

I like quilting on this - but not sure if i'd put one together.

Great job!!!

Thanks! That helps a lot! It'll probably take me years to do it, but I'm going to give it a try!

Jory

you're welcome jory!!

take your quilt to the fabric store to find a binding. I was originally going to nip off the points around the hexagons and bind the quilt - leaving the scalloped edges.

When i gave my aunt her other quilt last summer, she made the comment that she was disappointed that it didn't fit her full size bed. I thought about adding a border to it, but just couldn't wrap my brain around how to do it w/out it looking like there had been a border added to it many years later.

It was that comment that led me to add the border on this Grandmas Flower Garden. For me, it was very important that the border NOT look like it was added on 50 yrs later!

She thinks it is wonderful that she has something she made and yet finished by one of her nieces. She will enjoy it and there will be 2 quilts that she can pass down to her children

did you start in the middle of the quilt and quilt out to the edges?

Jory

Nice!

i did start in the middle of the fabric and stitch out. I have pinned basted it, but still have to keep adjusting it.

BUT - since hanging here (which was after i started the quilt) I have learned a couple things:

1. Starch the daylights out of the backing before sandwiching everything together. I would also pay closer attention & use a bit tighter weave muslin on the back.

2. Use Susan (?) what's her name's method of basting. Someone help me.....She uses 1x2 or 3s and rolls the backing on it, same w/ the top. Then as she unrolls each(top & bottom) she places the batting in the middle and hand bastes it. Generally working in an area no deeper than an arms reach.

You could do a search for basting and will find the method i want to use.

Because my quilt frame is smaller, I would still start in the middle. On the tutorial i'm referring to - it says you don't have to. If i was quilting on a full-size frame (which i have, but don't want to quilt in the basement) I would not start in the middle.

I don't have a frame. . .on the quilt I'm just finishing, I'm using a hoop. It has worked well for me (I divided the quilt into sections, quilted each section, and then assembled them).

Since this GFG quilt is twin sized, it's about the same size as the biggest piece I worked on.

Do you think this method will work on the GFG? I want it to be done "perfectly" (as close to it as I can).

Thanks so much for all of your help, BTW!!

Jory

That is a very nice frame. Is it your own design? Looks like it would be very handy for small spaces.

jory - by all means, continue on w/ the hoop. Many of my friends enjoy quilting on the hoop while they're sitting & watching tv.

hummbird - I got the frame at a quilt show about 10 yrs ago. I would think it would be simple to re-create, although, i've not seen the metal corner pieces at Lowes/HD - but never have looked either...

i looked online for something similar - just curious and hadn't come across anything.....

Here are some closeups..

Oh Becca - this is just awesome. I love the way you are hand quilting this. Your design shows more detail. I keep hoping to run into someone that can teach me how to hand quilt. Im ready. I was given my great-grandmothers quilt frame and cant wait to set it up and get going. I have started piecing my flowers, but have a looooooooooong way to go. Thank you for sharing your work of art and if you ever get to Arizona, look me up :) PLEASE!!!

I learned how to hand quilt by watching videos on U-tube. It's hard to go from written instructions to doing it yourself: really helps to see it done.

And there are so many helpful people on this board if you run into specific problems. . .I had trouble at first keeping the first few stitches on the needle until someone suggested tilting the needle up (eye down, sharp end up) instead of trying to do it with the needle horizontal. I didn't have any problems with the other stitches, just the first few.

Jory

Oh, Thank you Jory...curious do you rock the needle to load all your stitches and how many stitches do you take up on the needle at one time? Thank you again

Yes, I rock the needle, and usually stack 3-4 stitches on the needle. Don't try for small stitches at first: go for consistent length of stitch.

It's all about practice, and not being too hard on yourself at first. After about 3 hours of hand quilting, you'll be amazed at how much better you are than when you first started!

Thats great, thank you. I feel a little more confident now :)

Suebee - Jory explained it well. You get better w/ practice and if you're starting out - pick out patterned fabrics (they hide stitches better). And when you start going to quilt shows, you'll find all kinds of stitching. Some of it looks great, some of it makes you wonder!! Just dig in !! And have fun!!

I think the tutorial is by Sharon Schamber. She just won the Houston Best of Show.

All of her tutes are great. Her sewing is heavenly.

You tube has some of her tutes.

Quilter68 who is now 69 ( when I hit 70 I will change my Siggy.)

Hello New to this site....I am inspired, your flower quilt is so beautiful...I currently have 123 flowers done, my small quilt group decided to try to do one everyday,I am only 19 behind. Our Mom does 5-6 a day...over achiever !!! Thank you so much for sharing Annie