Hazel's Summer Garden Quilt: Block #1

You might recall that my friend Shelly, over at Prairie Moon Quilts, is having a Quilt Along.  The quilt is called Hazel's Summer Garden.  I couldn't resist all the fun embroidery.  (Click on any of the photos to make them bigger.)

I finished Block #1 the other day.  I am so pleased with how it turned out.  I really love Shelly's design.

If you want to download Block #1, you can get the pattern here.

And here is a bonus project if you just want to do Block #1.

I am really having fun with all the special stitches and Shelly's unique way of putting them together.  For example, I've used a chain stitch before, but never as a filler stitch like in the center of this flower.  (oops.  Sorry for the stray tan thread in there!)

I really loved doing this satin stich fill on this flower.  I did it really densely so that it would puff up a bit.  I like how that turned out.  I outline stitched it as well to give the edge a smooth look.  Sometimes my edges aren't as smooth as I'd like them to be when I satin stitch.

This flower filled with French knots took me three evenings in front of the TV to do!  But it's a pretty fun effect!

I liked this flower, too.  I like the chain stitching on the pink part.  As I said, I've been working all the fill stitches and anything inside the outline free hand.  I didn't trace those.  So, the red running stitches and all the inner turquoise stitches are freehand.  I think I should have marked the center line on that pink center.  It's pretty wobbly!

I also see that I'm getting some puckering.  I know I have a tendency to pull pretty taught with my stitching.  I hate it when threads aren't tight.  I am hoping when this gets quilted that these puckers don't cause problems and will "quilt out."

I also really like all the different stitches on the leaves.  It really gives the block interest.  (There's that pesky stray thread again!)

Okay, now I have to go start Block #2, which Shelly has posted.  Get it here.

Lynn was commenting on a post the other day (her Which Witch's Boot quilt she's working on) that she doesn't understand why she dislikes the tracing process so much.  I agree, Lynn!  I lose momentum at that point all the time with my embroidery and with my appliqué.  I think it's because I'm anxious to stitch, and I hate the delay that tracing the design causes.  But I best get on it, lest I fall behind!  This block took me almost a month to stitch.  I better get going!

And by the way, I can't wait to go back to stitching with Cosmo thread.  This DMC is knotting so much on me as I stitch.  I did not have that problem with Cosmo.  I'm really sold on it now.

Happy Friday!  Have a great weekend!  I get to go stitch with my friend Caroll tomorrow. I can't wait!

Until next time,

 

Comments

[Maggie Szafranski]

OOO, this is tempting, but I don't need another obsession!

[Amy]

Gorgeous!

[carolld]

Oh, my, this block is beautiful! I love all the different stitches. You do beautiful work. I've been looking for something like this to take to Knotty Girls. I love learning the stitches but didn't want to work on wool like they do. Now I can do this project. Thanks for the link! Looking forward to seeing you Saturday!

[Donna]

Gorgeous block and your stitching is perfec! I need to download the patterns to stitch later.
Have fun Saturday.
Hugs,
Donna

[Shelly]

It looks fabulous -- love your colors! Can't wait to see your block 2. If I don't get busy, you're gonna pass me up!

[Deb]

Great job! I just love seeing beautiful hand embroidery.

[Maureen]

You do beautiful work!

And the stray tan thread- it was like "where is waldo" in the small pictures I couldn't even see it, I had to look when you mentioned it!

Hope you recovered from your long day :)

[jenclair]

Beautiful! I'm loving everything about this quilt block--the raised look you achieved with the satin stitch, the dense French knots, and on and on. Everything!

Must check out Cosmo thread. I hate twisting and knotting.

[terriaw]

Wow! This embroidery is so beautiful. I love the colors and textures created by different stitches. I've been wanting to get back into embroidery but haven't found the time or the right project. This one is so precious!

[Thimbleanna]

It's gorgeous Stephanie! I had to pin your closeup of the flower -- I love the pretty details!

[Deb]

I'm convinced that you can do anything! Very, very nice handwork!

[kay]

your embroidery is just beautiful - i've just got back into it, having been 'forced' to do handstitching in my textiles course - i can't believe how much i love it

[Linda in Calif.]

Beautiful! Such nice work - and a great pattern. I personally love the tracing - sort of reminds me of coloring.

[Carla]

Gorgeous! I'm so impressed!

[April]

WOW. This is sooo beautiful!!! I bookmarked your entry here so that I can look at it easily again and again. ha. Maybe one day I can just do one block and frame it. You do fantastic work!!

[dispack]

Hey, MamaPea, I'm loving your thread colors, can I be a nuisance and ask what the numbers for the threads you used? I'm looking forward to starting this block! Thanks.

[Stephanie in MI]

Hi Dispack,

No problem at all. I posted my thread colors here:

http://peasinapod.typepad.com/peas-in-a-pod/2012/09/hazels-summer-garden-quilt-a-quilt-along.html

I meant to provide that link in this post. Sorry!

Mama Pea

[Theresa]

Your version is absolutely beautiful, gorgeous colours and lovely stitching.

[Rene']

Don't know how I missed the fact that Shelly is having a quilt a long. Definitely need to check that out, especially since I pulled out another embroidery project (because my crocheting isn't going so well). I have resorted to using my DMC as well because my Cosmo threads have disappeared. Anyway, love your stitching and thanks for sharing!

[kathy olkowski]

Beautiful work! Wish I could do the same...