I thought I should start this thread also .... now you can tell me what you think of my choice! Be nice! LOL

Ruth....I'm glad you like the block! I did do some practice applique this week as I was working on a wallhanging and couldn't figure out how to piece what I wanted so appliqued it instead....its kind of fun!

i'm on it like white on rice.
well ... like pinks and other wild colors on rice.

discuss, discuss, discuss

just didn't want you feel all alone in here.
:mrgreen:

Ok, I love applique, so am excited about this. Can I make a couple of suggestions to the beginners that are trying applique for the first time? Only because I have learned from my own mistakes!!!

When cutting your background block, cut it about an inch or two larger than what the pattern calls for. When appliqueing the background will stretch a little and you will have a little to fudge. Then when finished, you can cut your block to the original size and then do the triangles on the corners.


Hope this helps

I'm with you Patrice already know what 2 pinks I'm using I like the block for a first time challenge

Thanks for the heads up Tricia! I have been working on a whallhanging this week and LUCKILY did that unknowingly, not planned but thank goodness I did! LOL

I just posted the 15th BOM it didn't take very long.

Warning! Warning!..................If you use fusible web use a pressing cloth or a piece of 100 percent cotton........what a mess that stuff can make.......after all that careful cutting I am starting again....live and learn :wink:

Amen to that, sister. I have a blob of gunk stuck to my ironing board cover because i got reckless with the Heat-N-Bond last night. LOL

I was lazy I used a washable glue stick. put done the middle of each piece and placed on backround. Whats nice I can move it if I put in wrong place. And the glue sticks are 2 for a buck I'm cheap to lol

Hi Patrice take a dryer sheet and lay it on top of the gumk on the ironing board and press it and will come right off. Annette

I plan to hand applique this project using Eleanor Burns easy method with the fusible webbing.... she will be on QNN this afternoon so am going to take a refresher course then.. I've seen it done on SQ but didn't get to tape that segment so thought I should watch her do it again ...

Am glad some of you are finding this block fun to do... am hoping to get to mine after the weekend....

Right now I have two wallhangings to pin baste and quilt today and hopefully binding done and ready Sunday for delivery to my sister!

This is going to be a challenge for me because I do not do too much applique, but I am going to do it the hard way, ladies. Not ironing it on and zigzagging. Gonna torture myself doing it by hand and needle turning around paper. Gonna whip it out in about 6 hours. Gonna do it the traditional old fashioned way. No fancy, new fangled ideas for me. :shock: Or maybe, I will use dryer sheets and do it that way. Or break down and get out the freezer paper. Or maybe just iron it on and zigzag. I don't have any fancy stitches on the machine. I could embroider around the flower to anchor it on. Yow!!! Where do I start? I have to make a decision before I start? Not like piecing. I don't know...... :roll:
It's gonna be fun. :wink:

Good for you Norah. I'm glad you are going to challenge yourself. This is an excellent block to practice on. It doesn't have any small pieces to deal with. As you and I had talked about a while back, I think one of the most important things to remember when doing applique, is just try to keep your stitches even and it will turn out fine!!! I can't wait to see it.
I've got my pieces all cut out and ready to needle turn.

News Flash, Nora ...

iron-on plus satin stitch presents its own set of challenges. needle-turn around a paper backing is only slower - not more difficult. (said with a big sniff and a "harumph!")

you want a challenge? shoot for needleturn on drawn outlines, with no cheater paper behind. go 'head. i dare ya. in fact ... i double-dog-dare ya.

AND to make it worth your while ... if you do yours that way, i'll make another one that way, too.

or ... you could quit pickin' on the rest of us. LOTS of options to pick from. ain't i just THE most generous friend?
ROFLMBO
8) :mrgreen: :wink:

Okay, Patrice, Miss Smarty Pants!! :twisted: You're on. I'll pick up the gauntlet. I'll try it your way cuz I want you to have to work twice as hard as the rest of us by making two. 'Sides, you're probably an old hand at that method, too. That does sound like a quite a challenge. Now I'm getting nervous.

Applique technique question-
This pattern has very gentle curves and shallow cleaveages (innies) for which I am forever thankful!

I've been practicing my applique and I do pretty good at making points (outies) but it's those durn cleavages that get me. Does anyone have a fool proof method for making neat 'innies'? Help! :-o

P.S. I'm using freezer paper. It works best for me! :wink:

I'm no applique expert, so take this for what it is worth... You could use a glue stick to adhere the turned under edges to your freezer paper. If this isn't enough "innie", you could make a small (micro) snip into the concave seam allowance to provide a bit of ease.

I love your quilting terms... I now think of innies & outies in an entirely different way. :lol:

i have never tried the true needleturn applique. the closest i've come is embroidering a stem stitch around the edges of some little bears. that made it really easy to turn everything under and get nice sharp innie and outie points. then i applied it to the background with leeetle beeety stitches through the embroidery. i suppose that's still "cheating"?

i would highly recommend small children be kept at least a block away because the language will no doubt get very ... ummm ... creative ... at Chez Johnson.

:shock: :mrgreen:

:shock: My... My... Such things from such a prestine Suth-en Lady :lol:

I can't spell like I talk, but y'all get the meaning... :lol:

BTW... Time for the Happy Dance!!! Tax season is officially over!!!!!!! :D (now I get to shovel all of the files out of my office!! :? )

Patrice,
There is no such thing as cheating in quilting.
No rules!!! :lol:
Where else can you find an "Anything Goes" attitude? Gotta love quilting!

Carla is right....small clips close to the innie's will help it to turn under. Just remember it is only for the innie's....outties are just that....outties. The clipping actually helps in creating a false bias which enables it to turn more easily as it provides the needed give. After that it is all downhill. Also...are you right or a left handed.....righties turn best when going counterclockwise and lefties turn best going clockwise...or so it is said.

I'm doomed! I'm right handed and I stitch clockwise and I also stitch at the bottom of the project instead of the top. My sister sews the way you suggest. I just could not make that work for me. Sigh! I always have to do things the hard way, I guess.

Can I reteach my self to go the other way. It's not worked so far. Obstinate!

I've never used a glue stick with my projects. I've tried to steer clear of glue. I know many people do use it and I've considered it but that's as far as I've gotten. I did make snips but my stitches always look like they are going to pull out or the fabric is going to totally fray on those innies. I'll just pray they hold together for a little while. My tulip is finished and I'll be very, very careful to select future patterns with few (if any) innies or outies! Hmm... circles? Another whole basket of worms!!!

I've never seen that pattern. Could you send me a copy of it Yvonne?

tim not in san jose

One can always hope! I'll keep you posted! :wink:

Don't worry....like I said it is " as they say..." I quilt whichever direction gets it done. Some days are like that too. As long as you are comfy with it ....who cares.

AAAAAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

yep. been workin' on it all stinkin' day!
:shock: