I don’t usually do a lot of hand sewing other than stitching bindings down but I really enjoy handwork. I guess it’s why I like to knit and crochet too but I haven’t devoted much time to hand quilting over the years. I’ve finished a few with traditional hand quilting years ago and a few with the big stitch technique in the last few years. I’ve enjoyed picking it back up in the last few weeks and I’ve finished another doll quilt. The quilting is simple – a diamond shaped crosshatching. I finished the binding after snapping this shot but I still need wash the diagonal line marks out.
While I’ve been stitching on this I’ve been listening to an audio book by Craig Johnson, the Longmire series was based on these books and I enjoyed viewing it a while back on Netflix. The book I’m reading now is taking place near Devil’s Tower and in Rapid City and it’s fun to listen to a story that takes place somewhere I’ve visited. Our trip to South Dakota (with a quick visit to Devil’s Tower) in 2009 was one of our favorite family vacations.
EDIT: here’s the photo of the finished doll quilt now that it’s bound and washed to remove the marks for my stitching lines.
You might also enjoy the books of another Wyoming author – C.J. Box.
I’ve had that series on my “to read” list for some time now. Maybe it’s time. I’m so glad you enjoyed that long ago trip to SD. I love visiting the Badlands and Black Hills, and am glad it’s somewhere we’ve been able to visit frequently. We finally drove to Devil’s Tower a few years ago and that was awe inspiring!
Hi Mary! Your hand stitching looks beautiful – nice and even. We had a fun trip to SD and have similar photos as yours! I missed the rattlesnake sign, though, as well as spotting any. ~smile~ Roseanne
P.S. I agree with Nancy – C.J. Box has a great series about a Game Warden set in that area. I think there are about 20 books in the series, and it’s best to read them in order as they build upon characters.
Lots of smiles in the vacation pictures! I have been to Rapid City but the Devil Tower was off the tour path.
Been all over the west but I don’t remember the tower. Once many years ago, my son and I were climbing a tall rock area. Got to the top and there was a sign about the rattlesnakes being in the rocks. I sure didn’t want to go back down but since there were about 20 kids making noise, I figured the snakes were gone.
Love the little quilt. I know you mentioned it before, but what do you use for the thread and needle to achieve that look? I promise I’ll write it down this time. Thanks also for the book idea. One can never have too many ideas for reading these days.
Your stitching is beautiful! I do not like to hand stitch and machine sew both sides of bindings unless it is a special quilt. My sister lives in SD but we have never visited. Maybe we should plan a trip next Spring if COVID has calmed down. Will have to think about that.
I’ll have to look into that book since I live in the Black Hills and my dad lives near the Badlands.
Our whole family enjoyed watching the Longmire series. I’ve read a few of the books and my husband has read them all. We plan on taking a trip through South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, and other states in a few years. I need to see a few doll quilts for my two granddaughters. One of the quilts I hand quilted took me about 4 years to do. I could only see for about an hour and then my hand and fingers would go numb.
Beautiful and your hand stitching looks amazing! ❤️