This is my final contribution to the Spring Fling Round Robin. When I received this lovely top that was pieced by [Kathy (Humble Quilter) - center, Laura - 1st border and Nancy (With thread in hand) - 2nd border] I knew that it was too traditional to quilt by machine. So I opted to finish it with hand quilting. Yes, just one problem with that plan. I don't "know" how to do the proper hand quilting technique with little running stitches. I didn't think that I'd be able to learn it in time. Instead I approached it as if it were embroidery with each stitch made by inserting the needle up and down through the layers, stitch by stitch.
Here are some detail pictures of the quilting. It's mostly subtle because I used an ecru quilting cotton.
Many, many, many hours later I completed it with a striped binding and two hanging triangles. It was actually very soothing to do handwork. Usually I'm either cutting at the rotary mat or at the sewing machine. Other than sewing the binding to the back of quilts, I don't often do sewing by hand. I may try a long term quilt and sew it by hand.
This was my very first experience at a round robin. It was fantastic because I had to set aside my personal preferences and work with what I was given. It's challenging to do what's best for the design as opposed to your favorite techniques. But that's what made this such a growth to my creativity. If you've never tried participating in one, I highly recommend it.
