Here is the last 6 months of my life, finally completed. When starting this quilt it was my first go 'round with applique, of any kind (though during the progress of this quilt I did a couple other smaller applique projects). I certainly learned a LOT! Also my first scalloped border. The thing I learned about that was Scallop Border=pain in the butt. :)

The AKA name comes from my husband. When I had first got the pattern and was looking it over I was commenting on it to him. He glanced at it and said, "I just don't need that much misery in my life." I laughed then but before it was all said and done with this quilt, I was feeling the same way. But it's done now and just in time for Halloween decorating!

OH, it's beautiful!!!! I had wondered what you were up to. Exquisite in every detail! Thank you for sharing. Hope you and the children are well.

it is fantastic - you did a wonderful job!!

What a cute quilt....alot of work there!

This is exactly what I was going to write!

Too darn cute and what a great job you did!!

That is adorable and only another quilter would realize the time in something like that. Love that pattern.

Really brings a smile to my face. Love the scallop border. Pat yourself on the back for a job well done.

Very cute and well done...Glad you finished it for us to see

How cute is that! I love it!

LOVE IT!!!

Happy Quilting,
Susan

OMG!!! It's great!! I love it, and you did a wonderful job, finished just in time too!!!

That is adorable! Great job all around

I especially love the pumpkin

Awesome work, and it paid off you have a one remarkably quilt . :thumbup:

That turned out great! Nice job!

Wow that is just beautiful, much work, but I'll bet it gets lots of compliments!!!

I'm not a fan of Halloween decor, but I would definitely be proud to hang that in my house! What a cute quilt, you did a magnificent job.

Wow that's a lot of detail! It is a fabulous quilt and I admire you for taking it on! I would love to own it but not make it lol.

it's darling I love Halloween wall hangings

i love it, i have that pattrn to but haven't started it ye. i love your color choies. how bad was the border?????
you id a bootiful border.

Rachael you did a marvelous job on the quilt and I have only dreamed of doing applique. Maybe one of these days I will break down and try it if I can ever get a decent schedule with these sewing machines I am repainting and refurbing and servicing.

Lets say business is going too good almost!!

So whats the trick in doing it?

Billy

AWESOME job! I especially like the pumpkin in the lower left corner.

Better knock on wood! The last thing you want is business drying up! :)

What I have learned about applique so far is that there is as many ways to do it as there are people who do it. Since starting this quilt I've used several different methods, but this quilt has just one used on it. The freezer paper, turn edge under and machine stitch down method (used a blind hem stitch but you can do just a zig zag). I tried needle turn by hand but that just wasn't for me, though some of the pieces on this quilt required hand stitching due to their small size.

I have another wall hanging needing to be quilted that I used fusible on. I really liked doing applique with that. The part I don't think I'll like is all the stitching around the edge. This one is worst than most with a lot of small, narrow pieces.

Overall I've enjoyed the applique I've done so far. This quilt was a little larger dose than I cared for but breaking it up with some piecing on other projects helped. I say you should go for it! :)

So the freezer paper is the one that you would recommend?

You make it look so simple and easy to do. I just might give it a whirl for a Christmas tree skirt I have been wanting to do. But it is no where as intricate as what you did with yours. Oh and I am going to get a taste of scalloped edges on a King size quilt I am going to finish up for the fall season for my bedroom.

Billy

Very different and a great job!

Love it.

What a fun quilt. That's what I call jumping into applique with both feet! You did great!

If the applique you're doing has just a few big pieces, the freezer paper works fine. For some of the smaller stuff in this quilt I used a water soluble fusible, so I didn't have to worry about removing the freezer paper. I really like the water soluble stuff. It's made by C&T Publishing (I'm pretty sure that's the right name). Trace design on the non-shiney side, shiney side irons on to the wrong side of your fabric, you can then turn under your edges, stitch to your background and your done. You can do multiple layers of it since it dissolves once washed. With the freezer paper you have to remove the paper (by cutting away the background behind the applique piece) after each piece is stitched on.

I bought a book when I first started with applique that I really, really liked. It's called More! Hand Applique By Machine by Beth Ferrier. If you want to use a machine for applique, I suggest taking a look at this book and Beth's method. If you're going to do it by hand, I have no suggestions for you other than gather your patience 'cause you're gonna need it! :)

ETA: I meant to comment about the scallop border. I bought Darlene Zimmerman's template so I didn't have to think too hard about the math and scallop size. It still was a little bit of a pain because no one size fits all. But that wasn't too big of a deal. Biggest pain was the binding. I made it harder on myself though by buying some bias binding that was pure and utter crappola (I didn't want to mess with cutting my own bias binding). Sewing down into the v's and pivoting without pinching your binding was the most aggravating part. None of it was really hard, just more time consuming and labor intensive than a straight border. But on the right quilt, a scalloped border makes all the difference in the world and is oh so pretty. :)

Rachelcb80, I think you did a wonderful job on your quilt. I especially love how you quilted the backgrounds, it's beautiful!

I will be using a machine and more than likely my <gulp> 500A to do the applique. You do realize that I do not do electric machines dont you..........

But I will try and to find the book you mentioned at out local Davis Kidd or Borders and see how she does it. Thank you so much for all of the help and do not be surprised if you get some PM's asking for some expert help from me!

You did a wonderful job and you should be very proud of yourself!!

Billy

I do, very well, know your aversion to electric machines. :D That is why I mentioned doing it by hand because I was having a hard time imaging you at an electric machine. But to use Beth Ferrier's method all you need is a machine capable of a zig zag stitch.

You know you're more than welcome to shoot me a PM anytime! I'll give you whatever little advice or knowledge I have. :)

Rachel,
This is the most darling halloween quilt I have ever seen. And believe me, I have seen a ton of them! What size is it?

Great job!

Hi from another MS girl!

You did a wonderful job with this piece. So many fun elements. Applique scares me a little bit!

I passed a Raleigh exit on my way to Jackson today! Is that "your" Raleigh? If so, I'd love to know if you can recommend any good shops that may have classes! I am teaching myself and learning a lot but would definitely benefit from more instruction!! I'm willing to travel a little bit, as I am sure it will be necessary.

Well you know sometimes you have to make sacrifices to achieve your goals and if I have to break out an electric from my collection then I guess I will take one for the team!! :mrgreen:

At least it has all of the fancy stitches built in and I can always whip out the cams for something different.

But like I said you will be hearing from me because this is all new territory for me and you have been there and done that and did a wonderful job!!

Thanks for everything Rachael!!


Billy

I think you did an amazing job on this....I would be proud to call it mine!! Your applique and your quilting look top notch to me!!!Excellent job! :thumbup: :thumbup: :-D

Such a good job, though!

WOW.... I really like it! What wonderful Misery!

Wow, what a cute quilt, love your borders and quilting. Great job.