Machine Applique Experience

I attended the annual meeting of the Canadian Guernsey Breeders yesterday and had to have some hand work to work on. So, I finally cut out the 100 plus corner buds and leaves for the Ben Biggs BOM. Good thing I took along 2 different pair of scissors.  I  used the larger pair to cut out the buds with their smooth lines. I used the smaller ones to cut the fussy leaves. I noticed more than a few pair of farmer's eyes watching my hands. Too bad I did not bring along several extra pairs of scissors and ask for help. I had a dent in my right thumb by the time I was done.

Corner buds fuseable

A year ago, I photocopies several pages of buds and leaves onto wash-away fuseable. I had planned to blitz this step and get ahead on the corner buds. I stacked 4 sheets together and pinned some and stapled others. There are 4 corner buds in each block for a total of 100. And, there are more in the border, about 40 and now I see that a couple of the blocks have this same motif in them. I hope I have enough prepped.

master copy

I decide to do this BOM by machine applique using the wash-away fuseable. I initially thought I could do a raw edge machine applique, but the first block was a disaster so started over and am doing a turned under edge. Needless to say, this is taking some a lot more time than I had planned on. I could not make up my mind just what colour to do those buds. Will they all be the same colour? Will they be scrappy? I do not do scrappy very well. I like order and symmetry which is why I like sampler quilts so much. There will be buds since, in my mind, this is what makes the Ben Biggs wedding quilt so special.
 

prepping the leaves

This week I finally got block # 11 prepped and ready for machine applique. I had initially used a different red with a blue print floral print but this is one of only 2 blocks that has yellow so I changed it.

Ben Biggs #11

Also, I got started on the Bed of Blue Roses. I quickly considered all the UFOs in my quilt cupboard, so neatly organized in labeled boxes and decided that I would complete this one for a wedding later this summer. Did I just write the word "summer"? Spring has finally arrived with warmer weather and rain and purple crocuses.

Lancaster Rose

As I was sorting through the box,  found that I had 4 blocks already glued under. I still have to adjust some of the elements. I am using 4 blues and 4 greens on a very crisp tone in tone white background with a nap. I can be ingenious with my impulsiveness. It will be interesting how I do the final block arrangement with this in mind.
 

Democrat Rose

The pattern is Rosemary Makhan's Rose Sampler Supreme. The first time I saw this pattern was at a quilt show more than 21 years ago. I bought it while it was still in the full layout on newsprint sheets before it was published in book form. This has made it more convenient for lay out. I started one in pinks. The plan was to do each block in different pinks and greens. Did I say I don't do scrappy very well? I was just learning how to do machine applique. Why oh why, did instructors back then insist that the "proper" way to do machine applique was with monofilament thread on top and lingerie thread in the bobbin?? That is one of the things that has slowed me down. It just was not working in my Bernina machine. 
 

Tudor Rose

I had started this quilt 6 years ago thinking I could easily do a block a day and get it done in 20 days plus the double swag border. Huh. I decided to blitz the preparations and made clear over-lays for each of the blocks. Don't really like doing applique that way now that I have given it a try. I cut out all the freezer paper shapes and ironed them onto the back of the fabric AND cut out all the fabric shapes. The memory of this reminds me why I invested in the GO applique dies.
Anyway, school and life got in the way and I started Dear Jane and now fast forward 6 years and here I am.

Wild Rose

It looks like I even tried some fussy cutting thinking it might almost look like broderie perse. I have learned a lot in the past few years. I still have to place those small leaves correctly. I am now considering what stitches I will use. I have some Bottom Line thread in light and dark blue. 

Indiana Rose

So this is what I am thinking about my applique experience. I started doing applique with freezer paper on the back with edges glues under. I stitched it by hand, pushing the needle through with a thimble. This did not make my arthritic hands happy. Machine applique was complicated the way I was taught. I learned needle turned hand applique a few years ago in a Baltimore class with Kathy Dunigan, but did not progress very far on that project.  I will revisit it when life slows down a bit. It is when I started the CCCQ and made the switch to needle turn, that I have finally got it. What I love about the BTCT quilt is that the placement of the leaves and flowers is so relaxed and forgiving. The Rose Sampler blocks above are all set in perfectly and symmetrically and all the flowers and leaves have to be exactly the same all around. I am so glad I have learned to relax. And I cannot believe how much applique I have accomplished in the past 18 months.

Easter Blessings,
Chris

Bed of Blue Roses

A few years ago I impulsively bought a half yard fabric bundle at a quilt show. Not surprising for me. I thought Rosemarie Makhan's Rose Sampler Supreme would look lovely in the blues and greens. The plan was to make a block a day for 20 days and get the thing done quickly. The story of my life. I ended up putting it in a box, went to India, then started Dear Jane. Fast forward 5 years and DJ is complete but this was still in the box. I mentally went through some of the UFOs that are neatly stored in my quilt cupboard and considered one that I was willing to complete and part with as a wedding quilt. This one is the winner.

Bed of Blue Roses

I had cut out all the background blocks and borders, then traced and cut all the freezer paper flower and leaf shapes. This is long before I bought the GO dies to do just that exact same task. I have most of the fabric shapes cut out and a few are turned under and ready to place. I had traced overlays for each of the 20 blocks. Everything that is needed to complete it is in the box, including threads and the already cut swags for the border.

I have had my face into red and green applique for the past 18 months, so this will be a refreshing change of scenery. My goal is to have all the applique pieces prepped and laid out on the background blocks before I leave for Australia. If I get at the machine applique before then, it will be a bonus. It will be quilted by machine in sections. And absolutely NO cross hatching. The deal here is, that I do not have to do any thinking, or planning. All that is done and I just have fun working on it. Or so I tell myself.

I am almost finished the final edit on my book before submitting in to the publisher and I am a few short hours away from submitting a course. My physio therapy homework this week is to stand up straight and breathe at the same time. This is no small task considering that my diaphragm has been cramped up for so long. I have lost 18 lbs so nearly half way to my 2015 goal of weight loss. Spring is here and I can do almost anything.

Rosy Blessings,
Chris

Stitching With My Hands Brings Healing

I love spending time at my sewing machine. But so often, as I spend time at my sewing machine, I have to engage my thinking ability as I figure out a pattern. It can be intense as my eye has to watch the needle while machine quilting or matching corners. And sometimes just sewing a straight line can be a challenge. I am presently working on a doctorate and have to read and write. I am editing the manuscript for the story of my journey with a handicapped child. And I spend time blogging and connecting with people on facebook. As a result, I spend hours on my computer with my brain engaged.

In the past year and a half, I have discovered that hand applique brings healing to my spirit and rest to my often over worked mind. I am almost finished the chester criswell quilt that I started Sept 2013. There will be a total of 33 blocks. There are still 3 blocks to be released. Completing this quilt is on my 2015 goals.

CCCQ

I used to do applique using freezer paper on the back of the fabric shapes and gluing the seam allowance under. The glue dried hard and I had to use a thimble to push the needle through. This was stressful on my arthritic fingers. Now, with needle turned hand applique, the needle just glides through the cotton and begs to keep on stitching for hours.

I started the beyond-the-cherry-trees-album-quilt in June 2014 and have 6 blocks completed and 10 on the go. I prep similar elements on several blocks at a time so I have something to pick up when I want to sit back and mull over things I am working on, or to just relax as I listen to some worship music before going to bed. I like to have a gramma's bag ready to take babysitting my little girl grandchildren.

BTCT

I found a very interesting post on facebook this morning extolling the meditative benefits of such repetitive and "monotonous" activities of hand crafts such as quilting, knitting, and even colouring at christianity today.

 "As my mind and hands work together, following a pattern or improvising, I find my spirit soothed, my anxious thoughts subsided, my mind free to think and even to pray." 

This is so true. It is worth taking a few minutes to read. As a student of psychology and Christian counseling, I have often stated that quilting, especially the handwork, is a healing activity. This is one of the reasons that I open my quilt room to others and invite them in to experience a morning of refreshment here, where we Quilt at the Farm. 

Hand Work Blessings,
Chris

Sarah Morrell Album Quilt

Someone asked me about the Morrell Quilt and then I just threw it out there on facebook and got some interesting discussion going. I purchased the pattern a year ago from Threadbear.
I have collected some fabrics and a background and am resisting the urge to impulsively jump in and start the thing.  Every once in a while I pull out the box and sort through the fabrics and I have read over the pattern a couple of times to get an overview.

So, I have written it in (in ink) in my January 2016 daytimer to begin. The CCCQ will soon be complete after the final 3 blocks are released. The 1718 Coverlet is an 11 month QAL which will take me to December 2015. And Ben Biggs will offer the last of 25 blocks in January 2016. Sounds perfectly logical to me. There is no time line for the BTCT so I can enjoy it whenever I want. I have 3 wedding quilts to machine quilt and one of them is only half made so far. I committed to a publishing contract and will  submit  my Denine manuscript this month. The sun is shining today and there is mud in my yard. Lovely, gooey, stinky mud. Oh, I almost forgot, the Antique Wedding Sampler BOM from Homestead Hearth just began. I got the first block and the background in the mail and it will go until April 2016. 

Yes. I can do anything on a day like today.

Logical Blessings,

Chris

On a Roll with Circles

Now that I have gotten over the fear of doing the small circles, I looked through the rest of the Beyond the Cherry Trees blocks and prepped several more blocks with circles. I had help choosing that soft yellow for the basket or bowl. Then I had to be very careful to place it and start with the bottom of the 3rd stem in the middle of the bowl since I had not left quite enough length.  But as I have said before, these blocks are so forgiving in the placement of the different elements.

BTCT Block # 7

This will be a bowl with fruit in it. It may be the closest thing to doing a Baltimore block that I will get to for a while. I only basted on half the grapes since they are so close together. I love having several blocks prepped and ready to pick up anytime. I try to stitch a bit every night as I listen to some worship music before going to bed. Some nights that can be between 1-2 in the morning.

BTCT Block # 21

 I am being careful  to glue baste so I will not be taking any tiny applique pins with me to visit my daughter and dropping them on the floor for the 9 month old grandson to pick up and eat. I thought I had been careful at my son's house in picking up all the pins that fell until I was told that the cat found one I had missed. Not sure how that could happen with 3/4 inch pins with white or black heads falling onto a white porcelain floor with black grouting.

Round Blessings,
Chris

Stitching on Thursday

I have the next 8 blocks of the 1718 Coverlet laid out awaiting a couple more colours before stitching them up.

 So I decided to pull out neglected Dear Jane 2 and complete a few applique blocks that I had started back in November. I am machine appliqueing these with matching thread in a simple straight stitch.



However,

I guess I should not multi-task in the quilt room.
Oopsy Blessings,
Chris

The 1718 Coverlet Journey Begins

These are the first 8/182 blocks for the 1718 Coverlet Quilt Along. QAL. It has been a while since I did any piecing.  And to start with no less than 16 mitered corners! I ended up pulling out the Featherweight to get this done. 

The white looking squares are a tone on tone shiny white and gold brocade, but it does not show here. I found a bundle of precuts in fancy golds and metallic that will give this project some sparkle. I am using Kaffe Fassett Shot Cottons for the colours and an assortment of soft fabrics from my stash. I found a couple of yards of a primitive weave print that will be the background where I cannot find a suitable fabric. I did not yet make the applique block for the Feb QAL. I have yet to locate the just right blue and white stripe fabric in it. It's okay though. I get to make 3 of those same blocks so I will get them done.

1718 Coverlet

My thoughts now on the Shot Cottons. I was advised to not pre wash. I did not pre-wash.
Now I understand why. This fabric is quite fine or thin in comparison to the cottons we are accustomed to quilting with. 

There are some strict guidelines for this QAL. Because the instructions and measurements are copyrighted, I am only going to post completed blocks. I can say that there are instructions given for the original methods and modern methods for making the individual blocks. I am using the modern ways for now.

My intention as far as I am able is to stay as true to the original colours and effects. This is a mosaic not a sampler so there will be no sashing or borders. At this point we are proceeding in order so I will be connecting the blocks and rows as soon as I have them completed. Therefore, no OCD advanced organization going to happen here.

Mitered Blessings,
Chris
(2016: I have done nothing on this project for nearly 2 years but I might pick it up again this year and make a few more blocks. I belong to the facebook group and a few pictures have popped up this week and I wonder why I stopped working on it?Maybe something to do with having started 9 other large applique quilts. Hhmm.)
(2018: No progress but it is the 300th birthday of this Mosaic Coverlet. I might pull it out and add a few more blocks to commemorate.)