Applique question for newbie
 

I am stuck at the hospital with the hubby for the next two weeks and am going to need something I can do here. I am wondering about applique? Is needle turn applique something I can learn from a book? Can it be done entirely by hand? Are there any other suggestions for handwork/quilting that can be done without a sewing machine? I've been here since Monday and am already going batty from just sitting in the chair. Thanks to all for any help.

Rose

I'm sorry about your husband, Rose. I hope it all works out for the best.

I've taken applique and hand piecing with me to the hospital and on vacation, so both are possibilities.

Applique can be learned from a book. I learned needle turn applique from Elly Sienkewicz's 12 Easy Ways to Applique; Rodale Press also has a good book that covers all the applique methods.

Janet

You can always do like the redwork hand embroidery. Those are always beautiful!!!

If you do decide to applique, I highly recommend silk thread and a betweens needle. I took a class and was introduced to them. Makes all the difference in the world. Also, put the needle down in the background fabric right where it just came out of the applique. And when bringing the needle up, I aim for the edge/side of the folded applique fabric rather than the top of the applique fabric. I hope that makes sense.

I find my English paper piecing GFG is very portable-just cut out your fabric and paper hexagons, and bring a needle and matching threads (I wind different colors on bobbins-takes up less room), snips, and I use plastic coated paperclips to hold the fabric edges that turn over the paper foundations. You can plan on a wall-hanging or throw to use them on if you don't want a full size quilt. That is very easy to learn, relaxing, and very portable. It is what I travel overseas with since I have to go twice a year for a couple of months each trip. PM if you want more info- I have photos of how I set up my "kit" for travel. Hope you DH gets well quickly!

Some kind of redwork embroidery because its easy to store and carry. I am working on Pennies From Heaven which is mostly blanket stitches and some basic embroidery.

http://gretchengibbons.com/PenniesFromHeaven.aspx

I hope your husband's stay will not last long.

Tammy

You can also simply hand piece. Grandmother's Flower Garden and other hexagon-shape patterns are often easier to hand piece than to machine piece. Or, you can simply hand-piece 9-patch blocks. Hand piecing can go surprisingly quickly using Jinny Beyer's methods. Check your library for one of her DVDs or videos -- quite eye-opening!

I'm sure there are DVDs and videos available that teach needleturn applique too. Instructional DVDs can get pricey, so I would definitely check with your local library first. If they don't have something appropriate, go to their desk and ask about the possibility of inter-library loan.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEeir...3&feature=plcp

This is a wonderful tutorial! I really enjoy applique now!

needle turn applique is a hand technique---easily done as a travel project- and many of us learned from books- there is also grandmother's flower gardens, tumbling blocks (english paper piecing) which is done by hand- visit paperpieces.com for ideas, supplies, instructions. cathedral windows is my travel hand project these days- or embroidery projects
there are many many hand projects- you could even put together a 15" quilt sandwich (or any size that appeals to you), draw a design on it and quilt yourself a whole cloth quilt- great practice hand quilting-and they generally turn out beautiful. the hand quilting project would be the easiest for prep & what all you need to carry- a tote with your hooped quilt, a spool of thread, needle small scissors & a thimble--little sewing kit- it's easy to pick up & lay down ---but so are applique & english paper piecing---just more prep work & a bit more to carry-since you have many pieces-but easily carried in a ziplock with your sewing kit.

Epp is great!!! You could do a Grandmother's Flower Garden, or Tumbling Blocks..........many patterns to choose from!!