Hi, I have been following along but not contributing as I am trying to get caught up with "things". I am going to try the circles. I am not really good with applique but love the effect. I think with practice and patience maybe even I could get better.
Thanks for all your input!
Phyllis in Mo

Thank you Blue - That helps a lot!!

Excellent Tutorial!!! Thank You :D :D :D

Thanks you guys :-)

I love needleturn, love the effect, and love that I'm good at it! LOL

Some of the tips I've picked up....

- use a wet toothpick to turn edges under instead of the needle, it's much easier. Just hold the toothpick in your mouth to keep the end wet.

- use applique needles (the really small ones). Although they're difficult to thread and tiny to hold, they DO create tiny stitches.

- use very fine thread, the finest you can get, not your normal sewing machine thread. You WILL notice the difference.

- don't pull the stitches tight, it creates hollows along the turned under edge and makes it lumpy.

And as much as I hate to admit this one..... wear glasses, magnifying ones if you can. I have a pair that I perch on the end of my nose so I can look over them to the tv, and then down through them to my handwork. It does make it easier to get tiny stitches.

:-)

Thanks for the great tute Blue!! That will help a ton when we get to those applique blocks. I might work on that one next!!

Blue

YOU'RE A CIRCLE STAR!!

this looks so great. thank you so much for doing the tute. its just brilliant!!

Blue -- have you ever used silk thread for applique? I've heard that it's awesome....

I use the silk thread for applique and John James straw needles. I find the combination works for me.
Phyllis
in Mo

I purchased a circle template set called "Perfect Circles" made from a heat-resistent plastic. The circles are very thin and are not affected by the heat of the iron. I use the same method you showed, blue, and I use starch on the turned edge. The circle holds a nice tight edge.

I have a little bin of the circles from little scraps of projects. I plan to use the as flower heads on a rustic stem.

The templates are available from 7/16" to 2" in one set (4ea) and a bigger set from 2.25" to 4.5."

Great tute Blue. Could you use inbetweens?