By Hand

January ended, and I didn't finish a quilt. (My goal again this year is one per month, and I didn't accomplish this same goal in 2022.) But I am making considerable progress, and I'm having fun in the process. I really love this project.

I finished enough curved flying geese for a half circle and finished cutting out all the pieces for the second half of the circle. Before I sew them together, however, I decided I'd better put the blocks together so I can get an accurate measurement for the center block.

I may need to shave along each flying goose on the flat side to provide a tighter curve. But I want to make sure I have the proper measurements first. I don't want to have to redo any of this!

I think Hawaiian Punch is my oldest WIP, and the fat quarters I used are either the first or second fat quarter bundle I ever bought - nearly two decades ago!

I've been anxious to piece these blocks together for nearly 20 years! But now comes the hand sewing, which I really enjoy, but takes longer than machine sewing. I stitched the quilt-as-you-go blocks together without catching in the backing, and then I pinned the backing closed.

Now I will hand-stitch the backing down on each block, and then I can cut the backing fabric for the compass and geese block. Once I know exactly how much room I have for the geese, I'll be able to put them together quickly, then it will be more hand-sewing to complete the circle and attach the compass. I haven't decided yet if the center block will be hand-quilted or machine-quilted.

One thing I do know for certain is that if I ever make another quilt like this (which I'd like to do one day, after I've finished most of my WIPs, of course), I will start at the center and work my way out instead of making the outer blocks first, then trying to come up with a center block that fits. I think that would be so much easier! And probably way less math, ha ha!

Linking up with Alycia Quilts and Confessions of a Fabric Addict.

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