Spring Quilt Block – First Steps

I love starting something new, the blank canvas just waiting for stitches. I don’t know if you love starting a fresh project, but I’m sure a lot of you do, since you (not naming any names) have lots of works in progress! I’m not one to have a lot of projects going at the same time; it seems to heighten my stress levels, so I’m more a “one at a time” kind of stitcher, always have been.

Anyway, today I started stitching my Spring Quilt Block. And there’s already been a question – if this one is the Spring Quilt Block, will there be three more? The best answer I can give is “probably”. You’ll see it here first!

Previously I shared the threads I’ve pulled and the canvas I selected (eggshell 18 ct., 12″ square for this 6″ square design). Today we start stitching.

Click here for Spring Quilt Block A instructions

Can I just say how much I love blue and green together? I felt happy the whole time I was stitching today.

This is my first time stitching with Gumnuts Stars, a stranded silk. I’m using 3 strands. I experienced a little bit of trouble getting the strands to lay next to each other. There seemed to be some “drag” as I pulled through the canvas. I’m using a size 22 Tapestry needle, which should be the appropriate size for this size canvas. I may switch to a size 20 to see if that reduces the drag and helps the thread pass more smoothly through the canvas.

The first block is a double brick pattern. I used an away knot to anchor the stitches to begin, but to end if I can I like pulling the thread to the front and stitching over the tail, as shown in the picture.

I continued with the second block, same color, same double brick pattern.

Can you see the slight shade variations of the stranded silk? Such a pretty effect!

Next I added the soft green blocks, using a double Parisian stitch. I think the double brick and double Parisian work pretty well together. Both patterns are straight stitches, usually over 4 canvas threads, offset, easy to compensate.