feliciava77

Hi, I'm new and plan on joining this sew along. My background is black and my colors are BRIGHT. Just need a few more fabrics. I'll be sewing along with my mom, who also belongs to this site.

Felicia

Lacelady

Wellcome - I think we gained a couple more converts while I have been out all day - Dee Cee (can we know your name please?) and Felicia (and mum too - can't be bad).

I took my blocks to my own quilt group on Thursday evening. One already had her book, and another couple ordered theirs, so there will be four Irish AOTH quilts gradually growing here.

Yes, I confess to having started the Jump the Gun group - I was at a loose end, and couldn't resist.... story of my life, I guess. My excuse is that I needed to take pics in advance to help you all decide on what technique you might use, and so that you could all practice before the start day, so you don't feel you have to redo any at the end.

Re thread for appliqueing, I use ordinary machine sewing thread 40 or 50 count), cotton for preference if I have the right shade, if not, then poly cotton. Because I take very small stitches, I don't seem to need so many shades, especially with batik blendables, as one colour might do two or three fabrics that look fairly different in a lump, but no so much in a small piece.

So the only advice I can really give is to perhaps group your fabrics into colour groups, and lay one, two or three shades of thread on them to see which might be the best. i.e. you might need a light blue, and dark blue and a green blue for your blue fabrics, but the green blue might also be OK for several of your green and turqoise fabrics, and the dark blue might also be able to double up on purple fabrics.

What I DONT think you need to do is buy a reel of thread for each fabric that you might use. (not, that is, unless you can convince DH that you absolutely need them) LOL.

candi

Welcome to the newcomers :thumbup:

I was at the LQS to get more fabric for bnding for another quilt I am working on...looked and looked to get inspired for background fabric for the AOTH.....nada...good thing I have time before we start....well most of us start, lol :mrgreen:

Deecee

Good morning everyone. Thank you all for your encouraging welcome. You already have a Dianne here so I am happy to be Deecee. I have ordered my book but don't anticipate receiving it for a week or two.

I am currently part of the Penny Haren BOM group, which will have an overlap with this group. I hope I can manage this as I know I am a slow sewer (and work as well).

Gai, Moppet (my avatar) is always ready to play with anyone who is available, even though she is 12 years old. The sweet face hides a rogue's heart.

Hi Lara, I'm thinking if I can sneak ahead with PH I will have less of an overlap and won't get too far behind with AOTH.


At this stage I am thinking of needleturn applique at the original block size. I have a reasonable stock of batiks that I have been using for my Australian Crazy Patch (which has a small amount of fusible applique) so will use these on a dark background. I am thinking black or dark blue but want something not quite solid - don't know what yet.

I may need to order my background from the U.S. as I don't want to spend $A25 per metre here. I have ordered overseas before but only fabric I have seen here, I am not sure about ordering sight-unseen. There seems to be different qualities of fabric - how do I know what quality I am ordering? Or is it better to just stay with certain brands/shops?

I have just gotten out of bed so I think I had better go and make myself some breakfast now before I end up glued to the computer until lunch time.

JudyG

I have spent the past couple of days reading about how to do applique and watching videos and practicing on some flower blocks. I have figured out I really do like hand applique and can do a fairly decent job with needleturn as long as I fingerpress first. That really seems to make a big difference for me. I haven't had many problems with softly rounded curves and did finally figure out the sharp points after many tries. I have practiced on hearts and can get the bottom point but still struggle with the inner point at the top. It seems I can't ever get a sharp point there - it is always slightly rounded. But, I am making progress and figure by the time this quilt is done I'll be a pro.

Lacelady

OK, Deecee it is then - good to have you aboard. I am sure the USers will be able to advise you on a suitable background, perhaps a dark equivalent of white on white?

Candi, I am presuming that you had a handful of your intended applique fabrics with you when you went looking for your background? If you didn't then that might be the way to go, and perhaps the staff at your LQS could advise.

If not, then the other route to go might be to think where it will be going in your house, and base it on that colour scheme?

Are you struggling with the idea of a dark background? Not everyone is going to do that, for instance Elle is going to be using a lemon colour. Tell us what your problems are, and if you can, show us some of your applique fabric, and perhaps someone here might be able to suggest a suitable background.

Judy, great stuff! Well done for doing all that practice and persevering. Did you manage to see the video on Youtube on appliqueing a heart shape? I think I put it on the previous page. That just might help you get the sharper point you are after. I think you need to watch the second part.

Edit: Here is the link: http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-103014-1.htm

jacquie

hi all, i have a lot of plain bright/med turquoise cotton that i plan on using... that will be different!! lol...
i bought it for something else around 3 years ago, but ended up using the jelly roll for something else. i may as well use the fabric for this... could look interesting!!
i will also try needle turn at the original block size...

i too think i will practice some hearts, i want to be as good as judy!!!!
:D :D :D :D :D :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Fabric Galore

I feel so far behind. I have my book and fabric but I haven't washed any of my fabrics or tried to hand applique. I am still involved on another project and I can only spare the time for 1 project and then move on to the next. I hate to leave things unfinished and rarely do. I hope this quilt starts to go smoother so I can finish it.

Lacelady

I just got an email that Hancocks of Paducah have some nice batiks at half price ($2.99 per half yard)

Ducky

I wouldn't worry about that. There are going to be plenty of us that are further behind some of the others. I'm not going to stress out about it -- it's not like it's a swap and it has to be done by a certain time. For me, it will be a total learning experience.