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Sunday, May 17, 2026

Slow Stitching a Sea Bird

 My quilting club had a "Stitching Day" and I tool along this big bag of slow stitching to do.  I made this bag in a class  many years ago when we lived in Upper Hutt, and I think it might be called a pumpkin bag.  I can't manage my heavy sewing machine these days, it's much too heavy for me to unplug, put in the case, carry it to and from the car, then the return trip home.  So I always take some hand stitching along instead.  Plus a packed lunch - that's most important too.


  Mmmm, what's in here

After quite a long time I decided to work on my Land and Sea Panel, which I am big stitching.  I really like this panel, and plan to hang it above the sofa in the sitting room, where I rotate seasonal quilts.  It really doesn't matter how long it takes me to stitch, I'm enjoying the process.


Land and Sea panel

There was plenty going on during the stitching day.  Two of the ladies were finishing up their table runner tops from a recent club class.  Another was hand stitching a Sue Spargo design bird using wool, so pretty.    Hexagons were tacked up ready to stitch, and as usual there was plenty to chat about.  

I finished stitching the sea bird, he might be a gull, I think, then stitched some of the surrounding background.  It certainly was slow stitching,  but peaceful and enjoyable.  The gecko will be next, I think.

Big stitch quilting

It was a lovely day indeed.  One of the ladies brought along some freshly baked muffins to share at morning tea, and another had a big bucket of feijoas to give away.  How kind.  As for my hand quilting project, I'll have to make sure that it is not tucked away, out of sight - out of mind, again.




12 comments:

Kim said...

How relaxing and peaceful it must be, Jenny, to stitch that gorgeous sea life panel. It's filled with lovely colours. Your "pumpkin bag" is fabulous! I love that pretty fabric. I agree with you regarding not taking heavy machines to sewing groups etc. It's so much easier and conducive to take along hand stitched pretties.

The Cozy Quilter said...

So nice to get out and spend a day with like minded friends! I love your panel… a fun and interesting hand stitching project. I need to get my hand quilting out again…funny how they don’t get done if you don’t work on them!

Sarah said...

That’s a great panel to be stitching! Sarah quilting by the sea

Julierose said...

That will be a beautiful wall hanging, Jenny--nice, slow hand stitching is so relaxing...hugs, Julierose

Carole @ From My Carolina Home said...

It is fun to stitch with friends. The social time is wonderful, and any stitching that gets done is a bonus!

CathieJ said...

How nice to sit and stitch with friends. There used to be a local needlework group that met regularly that I enjoyed, but it has since disbanded. I have to look for another. Your Land and Sea panel offers plenty of stitching opportunities. Enjoy your stitching.

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

I like how you're quilting that panel, Jenny! It's really a pretty one. That looks like the perfect type of project to take along to a group stitching day!

Jenn Jilks said...

What a beautiful project! Well done. Gorgeous!

Maria said...

A lovely day out with your stitching friends.
The panel is a beautiful hand stitching project.

FlourishingPalms said...

I sure commiserate about not hauling a sewing machine to a sew day with friends. Since our quilting group meets weekly, I too often take along handwork. Actually, I have too many handwork projects started! I’m glad you could meet up like this, and make a little progress on your handquilting. It will be a lovely design to hang up and admire… eventually. :-)

Jackie said...

I also find it hard to haul either of my smaller machines around. I will take hand stitching with me to to or knitting at my once a month knitting get together.
Your panel is so pretty.

God bless.

Janice said...

Hand stitching is so much easier for sewing days. The only place I take my machine is to Baradine. As a result I do much more hand stitching now than I ever did. I’m drooling over your panel. It is so striking and will look wonderful above your sofa.