A New WISP

I have always said that I like to have one or two works in progress at a time.  One of the reasons why is because I enjoy having a hand sewing project.  I haven't had an ongoing hand sewing project for about a year, and I have been thinking about starting one to have a portable sewing project this summer. 

This week as I was reading some posts for the New Quilt Blogger's Blog Hop, I was very interested in Jan's (The Colorful Fabriholic) post.  She mentioned hand piecing quilts with a group she belongs to.  We began emailing each other about hand piecing using the traced-template method. Jan describes the method in this post. 

I have used the traced-template method before when hand piecing Summer's Flower.  I made this quilt nearly 20 years ago. 

I also used it when finishing Compass Rose last year.  This was someone else's UFO that I was given. 

After discussing it with Jan (who was so encouraging), I decided to make a Drunkard's Path quilt.  I am mostly following the Dancing Daisies tutorial from the Moda Bake Shop.  The tutorial shows how to machine piece the blocks, so I pulled out this old book to make templates to sew a 4 inch block by hand. 

My cutting line templates look like this on a charm square: 

I can trace around them and mark matching spots through the holes.  I do this on sand paper glued to a board to grip the fabric. 

Then I can line up the sewing-line templates with the dots and trace them. 

 

I just use good scissors to cut the curved lines. 

Before going out to purchase fabric, I tested out the templates on some scraps.  I enjoyed it a lot. 

The back looks really neat.  Because you only sew on the line, it is easy to swirl the seams to make it more flat. 

The fabric I purchased is a Chance of Flowers layer cake with Kona Snow as the background.  The plaid on the bias will be my binding. 

I selected my backing from the clearance section at my LQS.  It was nice getting it for a discount. 

The first thing I did when I got home was cut the layer cake into quarters. 

Then I cut out 40 charm squares from the Kona Snow.  Here is one fourth of my quilt ready to be traced and hand pieced. 

I have already sewn 8 four inch blocks. 

The tutorial has the values like the picture above, but I may switch the light and dark. 

I have plenty of time to decide.  But first, I need to decide if I want to use the fabrics with the cream background. 

I don't know if there is enough contrast.  If I don't use them I may need to purchase a charm pack or extra yardage.  What would you do? 

This project will definitely be a WISP-- Work In Slow Progress.  However, I am very excited to do it.  I have 8 done and only 312 more to go to make a 64 x 80 inch quilt. 

XX,
Jasmine

P.S.  I will be linking up with Let's Bee Social and Needle and Thread Thursday (buttons on sidebar).