When I first started marking the blocks, I was using dressmaker's tracing paper (the older kind with the waxy surface), but I decided to treat me to a lightbox for my birthday. I ordered a LightTracer from DickBlick.

http://www.dickblick.com

The catalog lists the 10" x 12" one for $43.99, but I was only charged $34.99 + shipping. This is the smaller one & it's the perfect size. I also use Prismacolor colored pencils by Berol for the drawing. They have a wax content, so they almost completely disappear when ironed! Yea, you do have to be careful when ironing down your fusibles, but even if you touch an area with the iron, the marks don't completely go away.

Are you using embroidery thread or regular thread for the applique?

I love this method, it looks really easy and beautiful. Thank you for the tute! :thumbup:

Kathy are you quilting each block as you go ?

Regular thread - prefer 50 wt. but will settle for 40 wt.

thanks!

thanks!

Kathy - your tutorial is very detailed and easy to follow, thanks for sharing. Would you use "fray check" on the smaller pieces?

I didn't, but I think you could if you wanted to.

The re-do is 10" & hand applique using freezer paper. I'll probably use tiny bits of it on this one!

Lovely block & great explanation. Thanks so much. Have book-marked this to try.

Kathy, Loved your tutorial. Very clear, even to an applique novice like me. Thank you.

Thank you so much for the tutorial. I just ordered the book for the patterns and have never done hand applique . I will probably do the machine applique and have bookmarked your tutorial. I am so eager to get the book. I fell in love with the blocks being posted on pictures and decided I had to try this. :D

Please note:

The picture block pages have all been moved to the Block of the Month Category. Easiest way to find them is go to the bottom OF ANY PAGE and click on Topic Lists. Then click on Affairs of the Heart. There yuou will find every thread that relates to AOTH. It's so easy!

Thanks for the TUT!

Thank you, everyone for the approval on my tute! It's a fun way to machine applique. Several "biggie" quilters use this method, so you know it has to be good.

I have decided to change my quilt, but I'm not sure why, to hand applique using freezer paper & hand embroidery. I have enlarged the blocks to 10."

I really didn't like the way my center 16 blocks looked after I got them all put together with the bobbin work being such a lousy job by me.

Lovely...a really beautiful block...I do the exact same technique except I use the built-in blanket stitch on mine...looks a little more like hand work....but yours is beautiful. Thanks for sharing....

Thanks bunches for this great tut! I am going to change from needle turn to this method and i think it will turn out great.

Happy quilting!
Maureen

I am just getting ready to start my blocks. Just received my book, but am so hesitant to start. Your tutorial has helped me so much because the method you demonstrated was the one I wanted to use. I am not good at hand applique. Thank you so much. :-D

Nice tutorial - thanks!

I took a class from Sue Nickels and she uses the self-threading needles to bring the thread to the back of the fabric...great hint...

Thank you so much. Great tute. I will try today! :-D

I also do a lot of hand quilting, piecing etc, but the needle turn is frustrating for me. I can't seem to get my edges consistent. I have tried this fusible method and it works very well. It does take a little practice to get the stitches in the right position when making turns. The owner of one of the local quilt ships uses invisible thread. I don't like using it because of the shiny look, but it does hide mistakes.

just dropped by for a refresh! Your way awesome to do this tute for us, kathy! :thumbup: