Fourth and Last Block!
I started on that 4th block today and the photo above is the center quilting. This is only a block but there’s a trapunto layer underneath the flower section, so I’m quilting the entire flower while it’s still in the block stage. I used Signature Variegated Trilobal Polyester thread for that section, and I’ve found that when they tell you on the spool that you need to use a size 100/16 Topstitch needle, they really mean it! I flipped to Robison Anton solid gold rayon (24 Karat Gold, my favorite color of all time) for the smallest petals near the center:
Once everything is in the final quilt sandwich, I’ll stitch just inside the edges of all those small petals with Monopoly Invisible Thread by Superior Threads, but for now, I’m doing decorative stitching. Next up, I did the EKG edge finishing design in a solid turquoise thread on the next layer of purple/blue petals:
…and this is what the backside of the block looked like at that point:
And here’s a shot after I’d just begun stitching a swirly flourish inside each of the largest petals. I have to say, this design is really fun to stitch:
It feels good to be moving this project along, but now that I’m close to having all 4 blocks completed, I’m re-thinking my original plan for joining them. I may need to return to another half-done project in the meantime to give myself some time to think this over. In the meantime, Happy Memorial Day!