Hope // 1

While Scraps III is finished and waiting to be photographed I thought I'd show you a work in progress started last November. At that time I needed a project to take along while traveling and since Diamond was already too advanced I decided to start another handpieced quilt top. This time I wanted to try hand piecing without using the english paper piecing method. While I love epp, the process of thread or glue basting is rather annoying to me and I wanted to see if I could simply skip it.

First I selected my color scheme and made some sketches.

I chose pink, grey and red as color scheme and opted once more for diamond shapes.
Then I selected the fabrics.

For accuracy I had to trace the diamond shape on the fabric. This gave me my sewing line. I thought of just eyeballing a quarter inch seam but that just didn't work for me.

Tracing the shapes with the diamond template is also a little boring but having it done meanwhile to a zillion of pieces I can say that it is less annoying than glue or thread basting to me.

I prepared a nice amount of pieces to take along...

... and started sewing blocks of four diamonds.

This is more or less how far I got while being abroad:

Once back home I put it aside and continued to work on Diamond and Scraps III. Meanwhile most of the blocks for the top are done. But that's for another day. 

Scraps III // 9

Almost done! First time using a black and white striped binding. I can't wait to see if this has been a wise decision.

Scraps III // 8

Scraps III is done quilting! I think it turned out great.
To celebrate I took a nice picture in my little garden. Today we have enjoyed some wonderful spring weather and it's been a joy to look at blooming plants.

Viburnum carlesii

Mit dieser Blüte schicke ich einen lieben Gruss an meine Freundin S. Ich denke an dich!

Scraps III // 7

Meanwhile Scraps III has received a back, been basted, and I'm having a blast with the quilting. It looks as if my idea is going to work out! I'm quite excited.

Diamond // 15

Also this top is completed and I'm so very happy with my design! This is one of those tops where you can't help but fall in love with the back side too. I'll be enjoying the sight as it will have to sit and wait for a while until I can work on the backing.