I've promised to post the only 2 blocks I have finished in this book:)(Third one is getting pinned as we post!)You can find the book at pickledish.com (kc books) I love this quilt and the blocks are about 22 1/2" each. This is my first for real appliqued quilt...may not be perfect, but, it has been much fun! So all that are too scared to dare....do it!:)It is addicting:)Skeat

And, the second one....oops, I see the first one isn't a really clear pic..oops:) maybe too much coffee??Oh, and the first block is called Hedge Apple...isn't that too cute?!

I love both of them!! Can't wait to see more!

Love your squares i know your quilt will be greatttttttttttttttttttt

Good job!

Skeat---they are absolutely gorgeous!!!!!!! You are doing an awesome job!!!


Okay, everyone---I am the one who asked Skeat to post these. Tisha (quilter1962) and I are going to be doing this quilt too. We have already purchased the book and all the fabrics. But, I have several other projects that need to be finished before I start, so it may be January before I do my first block. I am not sure when Tisha will be starting.

This is going to be my first needleturn project too, but I picked it because the pieces are large and very do-able. Each block is 28" square and the quilt finishes at 84" square. The patterns and directions are very clear and easy to follow.

So---I am going to throw down the gauntlet----anyone else want to do this with us????? If Skeat does not mind, I am going to post my finished blocks in this thread too.

Come on Tisha...why wait?!! Start prep work today!! You will be so happy to do so!! And, yes, you better post them here!! We will work our newbie applique together...and anyone else out there!! It will be fun and maybe we can keep ourselves motivated:)This is Skeat here...that has too many projects always at the same time.....keeps quilting fun and exciting and not all the projects are easy to travel....which makes for another project...why wait???!! It will be fun!! Thanks for posting the info too! Skeat (and, thanks for the compliments everyone....!)

Wow Skeat, those are awesome. Way over my head at this point for sure.

OOps...I thought Tisha had the too many projects....come on Marcia!!! As they say in Missouri...'just get'r done'!!:)LOL That makes three of us already!! Wahoooo! Let's hope more shake their bolts!!!LOL

They look really good, can't wait to see more pics....love the colours too.

good luck with this Marcia. I have only had 1 class on applique and it was needleturn, I need LOTS of practice before I could even consider taking on such a large project as this one............so I will just keep cheering all of you on in your endevor. :D 8) :roll:

Pretty Blocks!

It is not way over your head....it is very easy and actually I've played a bit w/applique but, this is my first ever...and, I am learning as I go and I have found out already...I could applique circles forever!! I loved doing those hedge apples!! Here's some hints that I have done...

I trace pattern on dull side of freezer paper...iron on to back side of fabric...then trim to almost1/4" (I 'eye' it as I cut!LOL) Then snip anything that needs to be and press the 1/4" over w/iron....I then pile them all up till done w/one blocks worth.
Then I have those fancy little gizmo's (someone help w/the name) that you slide a certain cut strip thru and it bends it so nice to make perfect bias strip....(it folds it to the middle where the ends meet there) and I press w/an iron stiff.....there are my Stems!!! I made miles of these to be able to place and cut when I need them...and, keep them in a ziplock by size (written on the outside the size w/marker...I need things blonde proof)
I purchased those great little applique pins...such a great investment...for it holds the appliques close to the fabric and your threads don't get stuck as easily.
I am using Prescia thread (sp?) that matches close to the fabrics...which I think has been much fun!! Again, I keep all those threads in a ziplock too...:)
If you ever hemmed a sleev or a skirt with a hand done blind hem stitch...it is basically the stitch I do around the applique (much online to read about how to)
Serge or stitch the edges them from fraying...I'm on that now!:)
Always iron from the backside...as not to make any slick or shiny spots on the front
Oh, and most important....keep all the fabric for this project in a basket...then keep another basket for the project in the making that holds the block, scissors, thread, needles, etc....that is the basket I grab to go...and I don't want to carry all the fabrics:)But, keeping them in a designated spot...keeps you from sneaking that fabric into a different project before this one is done:)Hope this helps anyone thinking about it...
You won't be sorry....they are fun!! And, I am learning alot...espec that "I CAN APPLIQUE!" :)Skeat

Weeellll, since you said that you ironed over the 1/4 inch I can do that, I am just not very good at turning it under as I go. So MAYBE I think I can. Where do i get the book?? Where do I get the fabric, I am not good at putting the colors together at all.

Oh and what is that fancy little gizmo thingy bob you were talking about?>

You are going to have one truly beautiful quilt, Skeat!! I soooo love your blocks!!! :D :D
The only applique I've done is using wonder under than a zigzag round them. But I really love the look of needle turned!
Doing needle turn, you can still get edge fraying? I had thought the edges would be finished from turning under?
And are you using a glue stick, to hold the pieces in place until you get them pinned?
I'm still working on my 'scattered leaves' quilt for myself, and then have 8 more birthday quilts to do before the beginning of February, or I'd be jumping in this with you all!
Thanks for all your hints, and for sharing them as you go along!!!! :D

See....I told you! And you will find out just how easy applique is and most important...it travels great...:)
Check w/your local LQS or such first for all of it:)The book is also at: http://pickledish.kcstar.com/?q=node/564

Here's the clover bias tape makers....which you can add a adhesive tape too at the same time...I haven't done that...I just make them like crazy to sew on:) You can find it at JoAnns at: http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog.j...t3227&start=17


and, even though I haven't found an applique pin I don't like, my favorites are still the clover brand due to their almost round little heads...makes the sliding of thread great:)Now the fabric...Marcia....??:)I've had mine for awhile:)Hope this helps...Skeat

Also, Myrna...this is one of my favorite shops ever! HEre's also the book...Go to: http://www.quiltersstation.com/shop/item.aspx?itemid=99 (do not look at the windmill kit!) and if you call them...they might have allllll that fabric...these gals are always a huge help!! And, I love their kits:)

Skeat, those are gorgeous! I said I would never do applique but have gotten into it of late because it is so freeing - and not that hard, really, just kinda tedious with some patterns! I don't do hand applique, that would be too hard, so the machine stuff is just perfect for me.

I can't wait to see the progress of your quilt as well as Marcia's and Tisha's! Go GIRLS! ROAR!

You'd love these blocks Steph and you would actually find the hand work relaxing and I take mine in the car while I wait on kids, etc....it travels great! And they are so big they are not hair pullling at all!:)Come on....we are dangling the fibers in front of you!!:)Even if you did just one block...you would have an awesome pillow!:)

it is very tempting, believe me, but between finishing up by niece's quilt, the IRR, making a new bag for fall for me, putting together my quilt frame, and starting my DH's quilt, I don't have time!!! And, my husband said if I start another project before doing his quilt he is going to sell all my fabric while I am out of town... :evil: I think he wants his quilt done, poor guy!! :lol:

But I can live vicariously (spelling?) through you, Marcia and Tisha, so keep the pics coming!!!

they look great

Interesting border, too - How are you going to do that?

my library system does not have When the Cold Wind Blows but I am going tomorrow to pick up a Baltimore Album book to fondle for a while.... :D

These look good too....

http://www.amazon.com/Carrie-Halls-S...ref=pd_sim_b_3

http://www.amazon.com/William-Morris...d_bxgy_b_img_b

Thanks so much for sharing. Your applique is beautiful and does not look like this is your first time doing it. I will be learning needle turn applique in January when we embark on the Dear Jane project. I'm getting odds and ends out of the way so I can concentrate on that.

I love them.

Wow!

I don't use a glue stick Diana....it makes the fabric too stiff for me to get my needle thru by hand-even though I have used the glue for the machine when I've played w/applique that way and it does fine. And, 'NO' fraying!!:)All is well:)Oh, and the freezer paper.....I wait till I have stitched about 3/4 of the applique item....then just reach inside and give a little tug and it comes right out:)I don't leave it in there:)Skeat

Those are beautiful!! We'll be anxious to see your works soon too!!:)

I'm not exactly sure Moonpi:)It is a ric rac that is biiig:)I assume we will sandwich, sew and then turn inside out....but, I am not really sure...haven't read ahead but, I do like the look of that!! :)

AWESOME!!
I love both of them!
Great job!

Okay--I am on my way out the door, so this has to be really quick.

A lot of my green and red fabrics are from the Hemming House collection by Moda. It is a line from a year or so ago. I then filled in with other fabrics I found as I shopped here and there. My backgrounds are all creamy--some are large prints, some are small. My browns from everywhere (some were in my stash).

This is my tip for fabric collecting for a project. What I did was select as many fabrics as I had on hand that I wanted to use and cut a snip from each one and glued them onto a piece of computer paper. I wrote down how many more of each color I was looking for and then tucked it in my purse. Any time I was out shopping and found myself around fabric I pulled it out and decided if there was anything I wanted to add to the "project stash". Before you know it, you have everything you need. I will admit that it helps that I went on a quilt shop hop of the 10 Atlanta area stores as I was looking for fabric for this project. When I get home tonight I will take some pics of my fabric choices and share with everyone.

This does not have to be a needleturn project. You can use ANY applique process that is comfortable for you. I am choosing to do needleturn because it is something new I want to learn.

This quilt would look wonderful in all kinds of fabrics. If you wanted a more primitive look for it, you could use flannels or homespuns. Batiks would give it a more modern look. Use a palette of shades of one or two colors for a really dramatic monotone quilt. Using Civil War reproduction fabrics would give it an antique look. If you used turkey red and poison green you could create a quilt that has a Baltimore Album feel to it. Just use your imagination. You are allowed to step out of the box!!!!

I will add that if you are interested in making this quilt and want the really big rick rack for it, we do sell it at the quilt shop where I work. I would be happy to send you 10 yards.....

can't wait to see your fabrics! This is exciting!

Ditto!! I always thought fallish colors would have been awesome in this quilt...can't you see the oranges??:)We will hold our breath waiting for your pics!:)And I love the idea of your snippet samples to keep stocking...:)I usually take a corner off and pin them and toss it in my purse:)Great ideas!! Skeat

What a wonderful treasure you are building...

Thanks Grandma Cindy:)I like the words to that thought:)

Very nice.

Alright--I got home so late last night that all the pics I took were really bad (color way off) so I took some this morning to post.

I did not try to match the colors in the book, I just happened to really like the Hemming House line of fabric and wanted to use them in a quilt. When I saw this pattern, I thought they would work great. Not all of my fabrics are Hemming House, though.

I have about 8 browns picked out and I will probably use only 4 or 5 of them. These are just ones I am auditioning. If you have a strong opinion about ones I should definitely use or definitely eliminate, please be sure to offer your opinion!!

More

Skeat those are beautiful!

I'd love to join you all but I'm busy with the Baltimore BOM so I'll just watch. :D

Marcia - those are some scrummy fabrics! I'm now going to wipe the drool off my keyboard! :lol:

love those fabrics Marcia!!!