Making Headway on Hearts and Hands......

My 117 finished, circular blocks are in various degrees of readiness to be appliqued down to the background. 

Back when I originally started making these blocks I immediately did a running stitch around a completed block and gathered it up to make the hem. So these are pressed and  ready to go.

The later ones, I was just happy to get the applique done, so now I have to gather them up and press in the hem.

When it comes to the numerous star blocks that I paper pieced most recently I have decided they need to be stitched with a Pellon backing to get that nice curve and then turn them right side out.  There are so many layers in the seam allowance I felt this would work best.  This is how I am going about that.
I lay the star block onto a square piece of Pellon.

Then I stitch all the way around  for a 1/4" seam allowance and then trim.

I make a good sized slit and then turn the block right side out.

Give it a good press and then trim away the excess.

I am hand appliqueing all the blocks to the background.

Little by little I am making progress on this quilt.  I am trying to finish a section at a time no matter which stage each block is at.  It feels good to just get one section complete and then set aside.

At this point, I have six sections completely appliqued.

These sections don't necessarily attach to each other, but I have them marked as to their positions

Once all sections are complete, then I will sew them together and then more blocks will be placed on the newly created  intersections (seam lines).

At this point, 28 blocks are stitched down.

I really do see a light at the end of this tunnel.  I am getting excited!!