I had tossed around a question on what is called the humming bird block. Reason being it's a truly adorable block. Where I found it was in a book by Penny Haren ... pieced applique. She uses the freezer paper templates to creat this block and it truly is a very easy block to make. But I don't mind trying to make the easy part which is making the freezer paper template, but it's trying to take the freezer paper back out after you are stitiching the appliqued pieces together on the main block. I have tried to comprehend the directions on removing the templates but for some reason my mind just doesn't get it. Does anyone use these techniques that could possibly help me simplify even further this technique. I would be happy to send the technique notes to see if it makes more sense to those of you who can actually make these .. with much thanks regardless, clueless in freezer paper stuff. : :?:

I've tried to figure out how it's done, too....but only when you applique on top of another applique. I believe you go in from the back side of the piece and cut the fabric and then pull out the paper. I prefer putting my FP on the front side, then it's easy to get off.

Instead of freezer paper you could use a fibrous water soluble stabilizer which can be left in the applique?

I would love to see a hummingbird pattern. My daughter is crazy about hummers. Is there anyplace online that shows the pattern?

Now .. I am no authority on teaching ...
Here is how I was taught to do it by reading a book. After placing the piece on your work and applique sewing it down by hand, with almost an inch or two left in the opening of your work, put your needle into the hole and to the top... Then into the paper to catch the paper only, pull down and it will release it... keep pulling down and it usually will completely drop down inside the applique. Then with your fingers or a tweezer, pull it out and complete the seam.

I will say here .. the trick is not catching the paper while sewing it down. The tiny stitches must be catching only a couple threads on the outside of the piece. Although, I have managed to release it when my stitches pierced the edge somewhat.

Hope this helps ...

All that being said, you can use a piece of interfacing and sew the piece right sides together with tiny stitches and tiny seam allowance, slit the interfacing and turn the work clip the corners or any sharp curves being careful not to clip into the seam and go from there. The interfacing leaves very little weight and no bulk to speak of.

sounds as if these may work a lot better then what I have try to gleam from the pattern book and yes I shall be happy to share the bloke on line if that's okay.