Panchita

Would you believe my machine doesn't have a simple satin stitch either? lol It does have a satin-style stitch, but it makes little 'pyramids' with the stitch as it goes along (not sure how to describe this properly, but essentially it is a decorative stitch, not a functional one!)

I ended up using a zig-zag that is enclosed on each side within parallel lines - fancier than intended, but oh well (maybe I should add that my machine is a cheap Brother with a total of 34 stitches available - I like it as a machine, but the stitch selection tends towards the fancier end to my mind ). Normal zig-zag (which it does have, ha) didn't look right to me on the applique.

aashley333

I never would have thought to patchwork for an applique background. Thanks! I haven't appliqued in a while--but now I have inspiration.

Panchita

Hello all! I'm going to attempt to attach a photo of both my little penguins so far - both now fully completed

I will say that between last week and this week it turned out that my toddler (aged 2.5) managed to change my stitch on the sewing machine without me noticing until I'd done a few more lines of applique... I don't think you can tell, so I'm leaving it, but I'll obviously have to keep more of an eye on that one!

I'm pretty pleased with how they've turned out. Though my hockey player is obviously at a slightly different stage of play than the pattern (couldn't get it to line up accordingly, not sure what happened)

I've now purchased and downloaded the 2 missing penguin patterns, but not started them yet.

MamaLinda

Oh my, those turned out so great! Be sure to keep showing us your progress.
I wish you luck sewing with a 2.5 year old! I remember when I tried.

thimblebug6000

Oh Panchita, those turned out so cute! Your hockey player looks great...when I tried to do the foot like that, which is her pattern, mine looked crippled, that's why I changed the angle on mine.
I love doing machine appliqué...makes me feel like a kid with my colouring book. So glad you were able to get the other patterns. I am always anxious for the 1st of the month to see what the new sport will be. Take care and enjoy your little one.

goldsberry921

Very adorable!!!

Panchita

Hi everyone, and thank you for the compliments!

I'm just checking in to say that I have now got as far as fusing Block 1 (Standing On Ice?) and Block 2 (skier). As yet I haven't appliqued any of it down - but hope to next weekend.

I have to admit I am rather giving the skier the side-eye with regard to applique - not entirely sure my skills are up to ski poles - but I suppose we'll find out... I was initially thinking that the fusing on that one was going to be difficult, but it went surprisingly easily, so we'll hope the applique-ing goes the same way

And of course we should get another one to work on shortly

thimblebug6000

Hi Panchita....with skinny shapes that are not easy to appliqué you can do a straight stitch maybe a little smaller than usual along all the edges...... yes ... if it is washed lots it might get some stray threads, but you can trim them off..... it isn't worth too much frustration trying to use a fancy stitch on such small pieces.
And yes.... it is hard to be patient for the new block, especially with so much "at home" time.

Panchita

Thimblebug - I think my current plan of attack for the ski poles specifically is going to be a one way 'straight down the middle' attack with what I'm calling (in my head) my applique stitch. It looks as though the enclosed zigzag stitch should measure wide enough to essentially stitch enough that it will hold appropriately with just one pass... We'll see.

But I'll bear your advice in mind in relation to other fiddly stitching - it actually hadn't occurred to me that I could do that, so thank you, you've likely saved me some headaches!!

thimblebug6000

The August block is up, click to the blog. pumpkinpatchbc.com