When I started working on Hazel’s Diary Quilt at the beginning of the year, my goal was to end the year with nine blocks completed. That may not seem like a very ambitious goal but these nine blocks came with a significant challenge: a lot of hand appliqué. Not just a different appliquéd floral design in the center of each pieced block but also a scalloped frame around each block applied using reverse appliqué. As if that weren’t enough, I set myself the additional challenge of using the needleturn method of hand appliqué.
I’ve shown it before but you really have to see Shelly Pagliai’s gorgeous quilt to understand what I have taken on:
You can see from looking at Shelly’s quilt that once those nine blocks are completed, there’s a lot more piecing and hand appliqué required to finish the quilt.
As of today I have all nine blocks pieced but only three of them have their red scalloped frames in place. You’ll see those in just a bit. For now I want to walk you through the nine pieced blocks, set on point per Shelly’s design.
These blocks measure 12½” unfinished. Once they have white border strips added and the red frames appliquéd on top they will measure 18½” unfinished. Set on point, they will finish about 25½” wide.
As dramatic as the blocks are above, see how much more striking they are framed. First up, Block 4, Coal Miner’s Granddaughter:
Next, Block 7, Aunt Ruby’s Choice:
And third, Block 3, Canasta, which I finished framing just yesterday:
Seeing these three blocks framed makes me eager to get started on the fourth frame!
Thank you so much for following along with me this year. I hope you’ll follow along in 2019 as I work to complete my version of Hazel’s Diary Quilt.
Speaking of 2019, it is mere hours away! Have a safe and Happy New Year, friends, and I’ll see you next year.
Each block is beautiful by itself and even more stunning with the scalloped frame. I think my favorite is domestic bliss.
Happy New Year!
Oh Nubs, this is nothing less than an epic effort! Looking forward to sometime next year when the quilt is finished. Happy New Year!
Dawn, each block is stunning. I can hardly wait to see the finished quilt. What an incredible undertaking!
Dawn, you are an amazing person!
As beautiful as the quilt and your blocks are, I also really enjoy your enthusiasm and interesting writing.
Beautiful quilt, Dawn!
My favorite is #7. The touch of black really makes the other colors pop. The whole quilt is going to be spectacular! Looking forward to seeing the progress you make in 2019! Happy New Year to both you and Charlie!!
Would you consider teaching this quilt as a month by month class as you did with the star quilt? I love appliqué and the blocks look interesting and challenging. I’m not so much a vintage girl, but would take up the challenge with another style of fabric.
PS. Still trying to get into one of your Sunday groups. The one that fits my schedule is full, but I put myself on the waitlist so when the stars align I’m ready.
Stunning! Happy New Year, Dawn…and to Charlie and Coco.
Dawn, these blocks are beautiful and your stitching looks perfect. As Maxine mentions in her comment, I would love to take a class with you using the needle turn appliqué technique. Perhaps even one block at one of the retreats coming up in June.
Happy New Year!
Comments show what an awesome wife I have. Don’t know much about quilting, excapt that it is a pleasure to see Dawn’s work, now in virtually every room in the house.
Gorgeous! The scalloped borders add so much! —and your handwork is meticulous 🙂