Welcome to my little stop on the Book-A-Round for Kay Mackenzie’s new book Inspired By Tradition from That Patchwork Place. I’ve had my copy for a few weeks now and I have to say this is a real beauty of a book. Not only does it have 50 patterns in FIVE sizes each but there are some absolutely awesome instructions in there.
As many of you know I am particularly fond of starching and pressing my appliqué shapes before I sew them. The big problem with this style of appliqué is that you do have to spend a LOT of time slaving over the hot iron before you ever get to stitching. Kay has beautifully photographed section on back basting appliqué. And just look at her result!
So I thought I would give this a little try. Here are some pictures of my first attempt.
Here is my finished block.Seriously folks this is my first try!
It really is true…if you really want to get to the stitching part of appliqué as fast as possible this is a great way to do it. I am definitely adding this technique to my bag of tricks!
I have a copy of Kay’s book courtesy of That Patchwork Place to give away today. Just leave a comment telling us what you are most looking forward to now that spring is here. We are all just a teeny bit tired of winter by now!
I will be back tomorrow evening to announce the winner.
I will probably be back in the morning to show you my finished project from this cute block…what can I say…I am sometimes called the MANIC quilt blogger….mostly by my family.
Our quilt group has planned a Quilted Garden Tour for June 18th (rain date June 25th). I am sooo excited to have our quilts displayed for everyone to enjoy! I think this qualifies as spring, doesn't it? Oh! Maybe morrell mushrooms too! Yum! And flowers and the smell of freshly mown grass! And a spring rain! Is there anything to not like about spring? I guess I look forward to all of it.
Posted by: Donna A | 03/24/2011 at 06:31 AM
Did you backbaste the circles?? Those are pretty darn good circles if you did!
You forgot to mention that you actually get 10 of each pattern because she has already REVERSED them for you for backbasting!
Love the book. I want rain for spring - pollen is all over everything - we have yellow cars, whether you purchased it that way or not.
Posted by: Tammy | 03/24/2011 at 06:55 AM
Spring has sprung and so have I! I have a major project of making a huge flower bed between two large trees in my front yard. I already have the brick to enclose it, and am beginning to draw up the plans on which plants to put in. I like to use perennials and mainly ones that attract butterflys and hummingbirds! So this is what I am looking forward to! Other than winning this fabulous that I have been droowling over! Pick me pick me pick me!!! LOL Have a wonderful day my friend!
Posted by: Tammie Bivins | 03/24/2011 at 06:56 AM
The back basting technique looks like it turns out a beautiful block. Your block looked wonderful. I am looking forward to the "no coat, no gloves,no hat" part of spring. And the wonderful flowers and breezes too. thanks for the chance to win a copy of the book.
Posted by: Kathy H | 03/24/2011 at 06:57 AM
Oh by the way your work in the new technique is great! But all your work is wonderful! You make everything look so easy!!
Posted by: Tammie Bivins | 03/24/2011 at 06:58 AM
I live in Texas, we have spring already! I am looking forward to the next few weeks of wildflowers.
Posted by: Stephanie | 03/24/2011 at 06:59 AM
If spring has sprung, the spring has lost its oomphf. We got over 11" of snow yesterday with schools closed! I learned to use a snowblower and learned it doesn't work well with the heavy, icy stuff. But, I also got 41 blocks made for a new quilt which will become a top today. Yahoo!
Posted by: Pat in Wisconsin | 03/24/2011 at 07:01 AM
The back basting looks very interesting. I'll have to give it a try sometime. You do make it look easy. I'm looking forward to all the wonderful bird songs and green rather than gray.
Posted by: Marie | 03/24/2011 at 07:02 AM
I guess I look forward to a few applique projects. There are many activities in spring and summer that involve a drive or being outside watching sporting events. A great time to work on a takealong project. This book would really help. Thanks for the chance.
Posted by: Deanna | 03/24/2011 at 07:08 AM
I look forward to the flowers in spring and the growth and renewal of the plants and trees. The flowers that come back year after year are like old friends that I watch for as they come back to visit for a while. I do not look forward to basically being housebound despite the nice weather due to allergies to tree pollen. There is about a week and a half every year that I can't go outside at all and about 8 weeks that I have persistent fatigue from allergy. Lots of time to stitch if I can stay awake!
I have just recently tried back basting also. I found I had to mark my background or I didn't know where to turn my seam. It would be interesting to read Kay's directions and see if I am missing something.
Posted by: Eden Hunt | 03/24/2011 at 07:11 AM
If spring ever gets to Michigan I'm looking forward to seeing how my flower bed made it through the winter. Hyancinths coming up nicely.
Posted by: Darlene Slocum | 03/24/2011 at 07:20 AM
Spring is all about planting flowers for me. I not only love to applique them onto fabric, I love having them in the ground and in many pots on our deck too. I can't wait to buy one of those small pools for our new granddaughter to sit and splash in. Yes, I am soooo ready for warm weather!
Posted by: Cindy ODear | 03/24/2011 at 07:34 AM
I love spring, love your blog and your style, and love to applique! Spring is one of my favorite seasons. It's not too cold, and not too warm. It's a perfect time to feel refreshed and renewed. There is time to enjoy more sunlight and enjoy the beauty of spring blooms. It's perfect time to let positive energy and inspiration in.
Posted by: Barbara | 03/24/2011 at 07:40 AM
I'm loking forward to seeing my crocus and other spring bulbs in bloom. Some of them are still under a foot or more of snow, but I have seen some green poking out of the ground!
As an aside, most of my work on your Florabunda series has been done with needle turn applique, but I did one block (the second or third I think) with back basting and it turned out beautifully! It's terrific for Hawiian patterns!
Posted by: Maryann | 03/24/2011 at 07:40 AM
this method is closer to how I do my applique than the press and starch as you normally do your pieces. I draw my stitch line on in chalk pencil, glue baste in place then needle turn following my chalk line. I find it much easier than slaving over the iron :) I do find the mylar circle templates and the iron the way to do circles though - they turn out so much better that way.
Karen
http://karensquilting.com/blog/
Posted by: Karen | 03/24/2011 at 07:44 AM
Erin, your block is lovely!!! I'm looking forward to getting Kay's book!
Posted by: Robin | 03/24/2011 at 07:50 AM
This book looks like a lot of fun, I like that there are different sizes of the patterns. I'm looking forward to all the bulbs pushing their way up though the soil. I find this amazing, I love spring flowers. And because I don't have allergies, I can't wait to wake up to the fresh cut grass smell on Saturday mornings.
Posted by: Michelle M | 03/24/2011 at 07:54 AM
Wow, I'm learning so much on this tour! I've been tracing my pattern onto my fabric and just trimming one-eighth inch away from the line and turning the allowance under with my needle.
I sure hope I win this book! I am quickly becoming addicted to applique!
Posted by: Kelly Pearson | 03/24/2011 at 08:04 AM
what i love about spring is the rain and starting my flower pots. i ordered the back-basting kit from Kay M and can't wait to try her method. Your block is beautiful using that method
Posted by: Judy from Idaho | 03/24/2011 at 08:11 AM
I'm still looking forward to spring here in Maine. Two days of snow and sleet finally ended last night. What I am looking forward to most is not having to change my shoes every time I go in or out the door.
Posted by: Leslie in Maine | 03/24/2011 at 08:20 AM
Spring has sprung here in central Arkansas. The crocus have bloomed and gone back into hiding already! I have an odd way of looking at spring this year. It looks like my husband will be changing jobs and going to day shifts with weekends off. Why is this significant, you ask? Because I will finally have the house to myself all DAY long for five days in a row!!! This means more time to quilt, shop for quilting things, and to go and visit fellow quilters! WooHoo!!!!!
Posted by: Sherri D | 03/24/2011 at 08:22 AM
Looking forward to planting my summer garden. It is raining cats and dogs in California right now. Very soggy! Love the book. Thanks for a chance to win a copy.
Mary
Posted by: Mary Kastner | 03/24/2011 at 08:23 AM
Well, you sure make it look easy.. it may well be worth a try.. hmmm.. gosh your block sure did turn out beautiful.. Kays book looks like a real winner! How very exciting! Wow I'd love to be that lucky!
Posted by: Marcia Kosturock | 03/24/2011 at 08:24 AM
Well, if that block was your first attempt with this technique, sign me up! It's gorgeous. Although I probably don't have the applique skills that Erin does, still I think I must try this. Thanks for the chance to win the book. As for what I look forward to for spring...quilt shows, fresh strawberries, blooms on the trees, cooking on the grill, etc. etc.
Posted by: Lisa England | 03/24/2011 at 08:41 AM
I want to get up and go to work in the light. I hate short days. Looks like a great book.
Posted by: Jill | 03/24/2011 at 08:43 AM