Last I posted, I was wending my way through the embroidery. I completed the half square triangles last weekend and made the executive decision to move onto the English Paper piecing before finishing the satin stitched squares.
I did this for a couple of reasons:
1. I was starting to get impatient because I'd fallen behind the class. Impatient stitching is not good stitching and other students are saying that each satin stitched square takes 2+ hours to complete so it's not something I could just knock out quickly.
2. I want to make sure I at least *try* each new skill while the class is going on so that if I have questions I can ask Rachael.
In the same vein as #2 above, I also selected and cut fabrics for just one Storm at Sea block, so I could try it out, learn from my mistakes, and then select fabrics for the remaining 3 blocks.
With the paper piecing, I am learning (as I do with each new handsewing skill) that simple in concept does not mean simple or brief in execution. I've already made a couple of rookie mistakes which I'll post about later once I can take some pictures to show what I did wrong.
I am still behind as the applique section of the class starts on Monday (!) but I'm hoping to get somewhat caught up before the hand quilting section. That gives me just 2 weeks for a whole lot of sewing, so that may be overly optimistic. Specifically, I would like to have my Storm at Sea blocks and Applique completed if nothing else. I am contemplating appliqueing shapes in with the embroidery instead of satin stitching. I love the look of the satin stitching, I'm just not sure I love the time. And appliqueing the shapes might allow me to move onto the hand quilting sooner....
I'm likely using the fabric you have at the outer border in my quilt too, and it's brilliant to use it diagonally, can't wait to see how it turns out. I have several more jewels to do and every time I'm reminded they take 2+ hours each I shudder!
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