Hummingbird Paper Piecing Sew Along #3
This will come as a complete surprise to Sue, but we are going to start another sew along in January! This time it will have two main focuses: the hummingbird and paper piecing. By designing a free pattern for a small wall hanging, we will encourage you to dust off some skills that you may not use very often. There seems to be two camps for paper piecing. Some people love and adore it, while others despise it. Maybe this sew along can have all of us find some middle ground with tolerance and acceptance. Perhaps.
Hummingbird focus #1
I have a wonderful theory to share with you about hummingbirds, but will save it for the sew along start. I have a good friend, Darlene, that introduced me to the plight of hummingbirds. Later, I’ll share those details as well but for now let me tempt you with a few photos.
These images are from a Google search using the term ‘hummingbird image.’ What struck me most about these four images is their beauty and variety. The deep green of the first photo with the white-tipped tail is breathtaking. For the little guy on the right above it seems like he is in camouflage and would blend in while sitting in a bush.
Capturing the extreme quickness of the hummingbird’s wings is depicted so well in the left photo, don’t you think? Finally, the ability to drink the nectar from a flower while in flight is an amazing ability shared in the photo on the right.
Paper Piecing A Natural Choice
Don’t you just think that a hummingbird is THE natural thing to chose for a small paper piecing project? You could go just NUTS with intricate, small details. OR, you could start with a simpler pattern and add more details in the background, ancillary pieces. I can guarantee you that this pattern will not be the first option. The usual stress-free, no deadline, join in if you want rules apply just as they have for the first two sew alongs.
In case you are wondering what the first two sew alongs are, here is a link for each with more details:
Since these sew alongs are no pressure, no deadline, no prize and essentially no end they are still ongoing! If you decide to join in and then change your mind, no worries about that either. Whatever floats your boat. However, I think this may be a fun, potentially quick sew along. I’ll be sharing all my struggles and successes as I recall why I stopped paper piecing in the first place. Did I just move on because something else caught my eye? Did I move on because it is frustrating and never went back to it for that very reason? Only time will tell, because I sure can’t remember why! I hope you think about joining in, and I’ll remind you later . . . like the end of December!
All of our Linky Parties can be found by clicking the link along the sidebar on our website or in the tab above for more quilting fun – check out what our friends are up to. Like/follow us on our Facebook page and you can share your photos of what you’re working on. We would love to see them!
I love hummingbirds and have never done paper piecing, so this will be interesting! LOL
My mom loves hummingbirds. I feel a Mother’s day HB quilt is in her future. Can’t wait to see your pattern!
Roseanne, your posts always get me to laugh out loud. This one was no exception. Poor Sue doesn’t know what 2019 has in store for her (hummingbirds!).
Oh no … TEMPTATION!!! Yup … hummingbirds and paper piecing !!! I actually like paper piecing – I just don’t want to do it all the time! We have a few hummingbirds that winter here. Love them! This sew along starts in January, you say? Well, that may give me a chance to finish it in 2019! 🙂
Happy Quilting my friend! 🙂
Happy late Thanksgiving Roseanne and Sue! Our oldest daughter and her boyfriend came to our home and cooked the entire meal for us. It was such a nice relaxed day. Sadly they had to leave early this morning to make it home before they had to arrive for work on time.
I would love to join in with this sew along! One of the enjoyments for both my Husband and myself, is to sit on our patio and watch/listen to the variety of birds, each and every day. We have several different Hummingbirds that come and get nectar from my flower garden. They are beautiful. I look forward to finding out all of the information for the quilt Sew Along. Have a fabulous day!
I enjoyed the Regatta quilt from last year. However I decided to make a special project in the month of December, a pattern I’ve been wanting to piece for years. I’ll be watching your progress!
Hahaha! I’m reading your comments back and forth with Sue. I’m looking forward to seeing what you two come up with on EQ8. Of course, around here we love birds for obvious reasons. And guess what I worked on yesterday? Let’s just say it’s all Up from Here.
This sounds like a fun QAL. I definitely will do a few! What is the schedule like?
I tried to paper piece a couple of my Farmer’s Wife blocks when I was in that sew along and learned so much. I must admit I was the happiest when I found out there were mistakes in the patterns- it wasn’t all me, LOL But I love birds so I will love to see what you make.
Meanwhile love that little Dominic/Turkey gift. Very special. I hope you have a special scrapbook to save each and every little thing. You will so enjoy looking through it later on.
WHAT?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? Not a fan of either birds or paper piecing! Let’s see if this changes my mind. Having a growth mindset going in .. . . . . .
HAHAHAHA! Surprise! Happy Black Friday. 🙂 Since you will be helping me figure out EQ8 you may have a bit more involvement than you think . . . 😉
Roseanne, I’m totally in! I happen to love BOTH birds (especially hummingbirds) and paper piecing. AND I also hope to buy and learn EQ8 in 2019. Take care, Mary.
Ya, can’t believe you are doing a bird Roseanne!!!!!!
Sue, I used to be absolutely terrified of paper piecing but now I’m totally hooked. There are so many amazing patterns that can be made using this kind of piecing. I’m here to help both you and Roseanne! Take care, Mary.