Retirement Quilting Goal #1 – a large hand applique quilt. I am over the moon to be able to say that the top is done! Because this one is so special, I am sending it to a professional quilter to be custom quilted. Her schedule is quite full now, so I’m in the line-up!
Center portion – I love the stars.
This pattern is a Kim Diehl pattern, “Late Bloomers.” Many of the fabrics are hers, and there are some Civil war prints in there and a few pieces from my stash. This quilt was so out of my norm, but from the moment I first saw this pattern it captured me and I knew I had to do it.
For the body of the quilt there were a lot of half square triangles, which meant that there was a lot of squaring up to do. This was a rather ambitious hand applique project for a first (before this, I did hand applique many, many circles.) I tried needle-turn applique but soon found out that it just wasn’t the method for me. I then prepared all the pieces using freezer paper, an iron, and starch. It was days of prep and I did it all at once. It was tempting to begin the hand sewing process but I knew if I did that, I’d finish one panel and it would be forever before I got back to the prep work for the second panel. I absolutely hooted when I finished the first panel – Yay!! The fourth panel was another story – it seemed to take forever (being anxious will do that!)
There was still the task of putting it all together – lots and lots of sewing. When I laid the top out, I couldn’t believe I had done it. Woweeeeeee!!!!
The top is now squared, all the seams are pressed open and lie flat, and all threads are clipped. The backing is just one fabric, an extra wide fabric. All is hung safely in a closet waiting for the call from the quilter. It will definitely be worth the wait!
heARTS Creations 
Wow, that is just gorgeous!! I love putting the final stitches in the top…I get so giddy 😉 I hope you don’t have to wait too long to have it quilted and please post again when it’s done 🙂
You can be very sure I’ll post when it’s done! And, thank you so much – everyone’s comments are so very encouraging!
Oh lord. I’m gonna be outta my league. May Diane and I bring clay? Your quilt is exquisite Joyce.
First, thank you. Second – lots of beginners come to retreats. And, you are a sewer, just not a quilter. And think of all the help you’ll have there (and fun)!!
It is gorgeous! Now I will have to finish mine too 🙂
Thank you! I’ll bet you have a few ahead of it though!
Fabulous quilt and beautiful workmanship, Joyce!
Thank you so much Dee. Admittedly, I am proud of it!
Fabulous quilt!
Absolutely Beautiful! Good for you! So glad I gave up my spot in App Artists, I knew you would be the one to fill it and get even more inspired and do great things! And you have!
Thank you – but now you really need to get back to guild – there is a space for you!
I can see why this captured your heart… Great pattern with full compliment of piecing squaring and appliqué . Beautiful!!
Many thanks Susan! I do love many of Kim Diehl’s patterns.