As much as I love my Spechler-Vogel white cotton sateen I do on occasion like to work with a dark background. This can be tricky because dark fabric can cause a shadow effect if the fabric on top is lighter. If you enter quilt shows this will get noticed, believe me. I tend to deal with this in a couple of ways. One easy way is to fuse some light weight interfacing onto the back of you appliqué shapes. This can get a little problematic if you have a complicated shape because the interfacing will make the shape hard to appliqué through. The other way I deal with this is to cut away the background fabric. It’s important to be REALLY CAREFUL when you do this because you don’t want to cut through your shape. I use some special blunt tip scissors (find them here) for this. It’s also important to find a batting that will “fill” the cut away shape. I’m experimenting with this and will let you know what I find out.
Here’s a look for what I have in store for next week.
Yep, that’s right, it’s a feathered star. I thought I would do a couple tutorials on how these very pretty blocks go together. One will be straight piecing and one will be paper piecing.
See you next week
Hugs to all my blog readers. You guys are making this really FUN.
Ooooohhh!! What a beautiful applique block that is! Absolutely stunning! The feathered star reminds me that I have one of those in my "unfinished" stash. Maybe your new tutorial will inspire me to get back to that one.
Posted by: Edna | 02/05/2010 at 10:31 AM
Oh I can't wait to do the feathered star. It is a project that has been on my "want to do list"! I have really enjoyed your applique tutorials also! They are very helpful, the pictures are beautiful. Yvonne
Posted by: Yvonne Ackerman | 02/05/2010 at 11:16 AM
I am enjoying having discovered your blog. Your works are wonderful, vibrant color and perfect fit. Very beautiful this block. I would like to post the amount of tissue that we need to make a Floribunda. Thank you for tips and pictures of how to appliqué. I'll be a friendly visitor of your blog.
hugs
Margot from Brasil
Posted by: Margot | 02/05/2010 at 12:22 PM
I have been dealing with this problem on my Aunt Millie's Garden quilt. Thanks for the information.
Posted by: NancyinGA | 02/05/2010 at 03:50 PM
Thank you so much for all of the great applique tips!!
Posted by: Mary on Lake Pulaski | 02/05/2010 at 06:36 PM
I'm so glad I found your website. Tonight I cut out my flowers for block 1. Will get some background fabric tomorrow so I can start sewing. I'm new at this and am having a blast learning it! Your tutorials are great! I'm looking forward to the feathered star
Posted by: Ladybelle | 02/05/2010 at 10:17 PM
This is a gorgeous applique project. Thanks for the info on dark backgrounds.
Posted by: Karen Beigh | 02/06/2010 at 06:33 AM
This is a beautiful block! I'm assuming it's one of your patterns??? Where can we find it?
Posted by: Eileen Keane | 03/10/2010 at 02:54 PM