Orphan block update.

Progress is going slowly but steadily on the orphan blocks. They have been sewn together with sashings and corner stones. However after three episodes of reverse stitching due to my quilting attempts I am on a road that I like in terms of the quilting on these.

I haven't quilted much in the last six years - heaps of piecing as time allowed but definitely not much quilting. I have to admit I was very hesitant about quilting this table runner for many reasons. The first was indecision as to what I wanted to do, secondly I had lost my confidence about quilting it and I kept over thinking it and talking myself out of doing anything. I even attempted hand quilting - and I seriously can not hand quilt.

Coincidentialy at our quilting club one of the ladies has recently given a class on free motion machine quilting and has been talking us through the processes as to how she works and what works for her. I already knew most of what she said, as you do, but it was a very powerful reminder and motivating experience for me. I decided one day without too much thinking to just pick up the table runner and start quilting in the ditch. When this was all done I knew what I wanted to do next and that has continued as I have worked through quilting each element.

This table runner is a good piece to practice on as it isn't precious to me in the same way that something which is intended as a gift would be. This table runner is to be a utilitarian piece to give some protection to the main part of the dining table on a daily basis when we don't have a full table cloth on there.

I am still working on this but you can see some of the quilting that has been done already.

Here is the back which probably shows the quilting a little better.

Well this quilting activity is very addictive. I am worried that I will get carried away and over quilt it, however because it will be table runner I am not too concerned about that and the resulting stiffness as that might be an advantage on the table. Still have some to do .... So hang around and check out the final product. Let me know what you think of what I have done so far, would love to hear your thoughts.

See you then, happy stitching everyone

Donna-Maree