Miss Dottie (aka Fish #1) Free Project

And the name is……Miss Dottie. That was, I think, the most popular name in my very un-scientific poll.

Today I have a little tutorial on how I made Miss Dottie using my standard hand appliqué method with a little modification. First, I would like to tell you that this pattern is perfect for the back-basting/ no template method. I even tried it but I was all thumbs at it. I plan on learning that method but for now I will send you to All About Applique for instructions. Kay does this so much better and then you won’t have to listen to me cry.

First download your free Miss Dottie pattern here. Instead of using templar for my templates I am using this

Freezer paper. I draw my appliqué templates on one of these sheets ( you can find them here) and iron a second one on the back. I find these templates hold up fairly well to starch and press appliqué but after a few uses the edge gets a little soggy. This is a great method for larger appliqué shapes because the freezer paper stays inplace while you are pressing.

Now you can press your template to the back side of your fabric.

Then starch and press just like always.

After you are done with this it’s time to make the dimensional fin, I call it the flappy fin.

Here I am using two different fabrics from Miss Dottie. Draw you fin on a single piece of freezer paper.

Press onto the back side of one of your fabrics and layer that with the other fabric right sides together.

Cut out your fin and mark the sewing line.

Sew on your sewing line.

Clip inside curves.

Turn

Stitch some detail lines, whatever you feel like.

I placed my flappy fin on my pre-basted fish and sewed it down with my machine.

After that stitch away and you will have your very own Miss Dottie!

Comments

[Linda]

I learned the back basting method from a friend of mine and that is how I did the first 7 Florabunda blocks but now that I watched your videos, I switched to your method. I like both of them but I find that your way the shape of the design comes out better (no bumps or edges that look bad). I really appreciated you video on the leaves, It helphed with block 8 which is almost done.
Thanks again.

[Melody]

Fabulous project, great tutorial. You are wonderful.

[Junco]

Thank you for posting this fun pattern. My kids love the fish. I am going to upload the photo of my fish to Flickr. Or, Do you organize another group for fish?

[NADINE]

Oh I'm thrilled ! THANK YOU for this wonderful pattern and tutorial ;>)
Crossing my fingers (and toes) that you're gonna write /sell the full quilt pattern, pleazzzzze ? I know a little boy who'd BEG for such a quilt !
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
NADINE

[Janet]

Thank you for the pattern for Miss Dottie. I think she would make a lovely pillow for a certain little girl. I love how her fin is loose. What a cute pattern!

[keja]

we need 2hf

[keja]

wat up gulfport ms im bout to go wit my boo to da movies awww so sweetttttttttt.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!