I will post it, but first my disclaimer: This was my very first applique test block. I have learned a lot from doing it. It seems each time I copied over the pattern to make the applique pieces, they grew larger, so even though the appliqued block didn't look too bad and I knew it was going to be somewhat larger than it was supposed to, when I went to add the hearts, they didn't fit like they were supposed to, as you can see from how wonky they are. But I have learned a lesson and will pay closer attention from now on.

On to the thread. I tried the variegated thread and it's really pretty, although I probably will do it with a solid color. It doesn't show up as well on the green as it would if I embroidered on the blue, but this is what I have done for now. It's got a beautiful sheen to it, I guess because it's rayon, and that's one thing I wasn't finding in the embroidery floss that I could find around here. As is usual, it looks a lot prettier in person that it does in the picture.

Oh Judy...that really does look soo pretty! I'm working on that blcok right now and I ran into the some of the same issue you did. One of my hearts didn't end up with the "cleavage" in the right place :roll:

I love that thread though! I can't wait for mine to come in so I can play with it!

Judy, your block really does look great. I love the varigated thread on it. So you're not going to use it?

I don't think so. If I can find a pretty goldy color, I think I would prefer that. But, then again, who knows for sure at this point. I'm still playing with colors and stuff. But I have to put this aside for a few weeks and get a quilt done for my DGS. He's expecting a quilt from grandma for his birthday next month. So guess I'd better get busy.

OK, I am in a bit of a quanrdry. I have finished 4 blocks (the top row of the center) & I am not exactly thrilled with how my bobbin work came out - it did get a bit better by the 4th block I did - the one shown above. I think I just need to do more of it. The problem is that to practice takes the Razzle Dazzle thread & at $7 a spool for 110 yards, I'm not anxious to waste it on practice. However, if I don't waste it, how am I practicing??? Decided against couching as the foot I would use keeps me from seeing where I should be stitching. Aaagggggh!

I got almost 4 blocks Razzle Dazzled before the bobbin ran out! I doubled up on the outlines around #8 & #9. Looked wimpy with a single line. Will post when I get pics taken.

I am really glad I'm making the original, wall hanging size as the ends of the R/D are nicely tied & trimmed & sticking out all over the backs!!! I had forgotten that I left them on the backs of the other 2 quilts I used them on. :-o

I am also going to assemble them with the reversible QAYG method. I'll take pics before sewing them together, so you can only see one block per photo.

Judy, it does take some getting used to when you are applying the embroidery lines. I had the same problem. I have been using Prismacolor colored pencils by Berol. They have a high wax content, so when you iron over them, they disappear. Has it's drawbacks, but in this case, it's a blessing! Using a light box or a set up like several have described or shown makes this task much simpler and more accurate. I have been trimming out the back layer after I applique, so I can see with the pattern on the bottom & the block on top.

I must say that your block really looks good! I like that verigated look & agree that there isn't enough contrast against the background, but I still like it! Your embroidery is very nicely filled in, not weak & wimpy. What size & kind of needle did you use?

I think we all will be on a great big learning curve together!

beautiful

Judy, I think your block looks fine - don't redo it straight away, because a lot of the Jane Stickle people did that, and in the grand scheme of things, the little areas that niggled seemed to disappear and get lost amongst all the other blocks.

As for having cleavage in the wrong place Patti, (sounds painful), I start at the point of a heart, work up to where the curve starts, then fold the whole of the top down so that I can see where the cleavage should end up. If necessary, I clip to that point, then resume needleturning across the top of the first curve. I hope that helps.

Some of the thread options are looking really nice. I have just finished skein no. 3 after 14 blocks. Since I am using two strands, and I think I am right in saying the skeins are 6 yards long (x3= 18 yards) 18 yards per skein, and I have used three skeins, = a total of 54 yards used so far. That should give you all an idea of how much to buy/order.

Lesley, in the book, Aie says you will need 7 skeins. When I read that, I thought maybe she only used 1 strand.

Learning curve is right! I'm thinking that where my outside edge isn't just right, it won't matter all that much because I'll be covering that part with the R/D thread. I don't think they are out of line bad enough to poke out the other side of the thread.

Lesley, I am starting about 1/2" up from the point and head towards the curve part. I'm getting better as that only happened on 1 heart and I think it will be ok. In the grand scheme, I don't think it will show up.

I only ordered 1 spool of 3 different colors. I have to check out the colors against my fabs before I buy more of that expensive thread. Kathy..I found that softexpressions.com has the R/D cheaper than anywhere else I found. Of course, I had to order other stuff to make it worth the shipping costs. GEESH!!! (almost $12.00! S/H!)