An update on Chester

Since I last wrote about my Chester Criswell quilt 5 week ago, I've managed to make seven blocks. SEVEN! I'm not too sure how that happened as it seems like such a rare thing to have the time to sit on my butt and sew, but being a massive tennis fan probably helped, as did a four week holiday and then yesterday (when I made my seventh block) sitting by a hospital bed.



Guys, this is Rachel Dickey. Rachel, meet everyone.



Mary Wilson. This block proved I really need to mark out my appliqué piece placement before I pin the pieces down. That top right red tulip bit was unpicked twice. Single piece blocks are so much easier.



Jesse Jackson Smith was appliquéd in a night. So fast. Single piece block - see what I mean?



Lovely Eliza Whiteside with her inability to trace and cut the pattern properly. I love that this block has replicated the original with all its faults. And then I've added some faults of my own (all charming ones of course).



Adaline Gibson was another quick block - done over two nights. She's my 15th block, and marked the end of the 15 background blocks I'd precut a few years ago. Time to cut some more. Luckily I have a stash of text fabric.



This was finished during the men's tennis semi final last weekend - Elizabeth Cummins. I love those little hearts, and how it looks like people holding hands. I thought the fabric would give me a headache, but it didn't (this photo does though).



Elizabeth Crosby, also known as The Deathstar (seriously!) because of this photo:



After I got back from the hospital last night, I put all 17 blocks on the design wall to decide where to go, along with some prepared blocks. I have also prepared a massive 24 inch block which was made by the bride's mother. It is very intricate and looks very difficult and I worry that such a huge block will detract from the look I have going on here. I will leave it on the design wall a bit longer and have more of a think. I want to make 25 blocks, and this block would mean I wouldn't have to make 4 of them. But then again ... so many curves and corners to be done, and it is kind of intimidating.



Where to from here? But do I want to hand quilt it? Machine quilt it? Enter it in a quilt show this year? I don't know, but I know I have rediscovered my love for these blocks and I just can't see myself stopping making them for quite a while. Also I'm on carer's leave for the week while my husband recovers from another hip surgery so I'm sure there will be stitching during the napping.