One Piece at a Time

So...what about this?

I have been going in circles here these past few days thinking about a Block of the Month that has BOTH piecing and applique. I have been really wanting to make a Christmas quilt and I saw this fabric recently at Fat Quarter Shop and had myself a bit of a swoon. The way I figure it, if you don't like piecing you can make the applique blocks twice in different colors and if you don't like applique you can do the same with the pieced blocks. AND if you don't celebrate Christmas you can just do it in non-Christmas fabric and you will be fine (it will be mostly the colors that make it Christmas-y).
Also, it will have a large center pattern (I'm thinking both pieced and appliqued so you can choose). Like in years past, the center block will be for sale but the rest will br free.

Thoughts?

Working at McCall’s…..

Well, it’s a pretty wonderful job when quilts like these cross my desk. These 2 beauties are in an issue that we just sent to production. I even had to order myself a little fabric from these fabric collections.

Design Wall Monday

Here’s a shot of my design wall this morning. When I get all the Mimi’s Bloomers Blocks up like that it’s a real thrill.

Here is a shot of my preliminary drawings for the last 3 blocks. I’m hoping to have Block 10 done and ready for downloading next week.

Be sure to check out Judy’s blog for more inspiration.

The Secret of Pointy Points

Someone commented a few weeks ago about how frustrated they were getting with points so I thought I would do a more in depth tutorial on how I do these. Here it is:

A simple leaf is a good way to practice

Cut you shape out after tracing the template onto the wrong side of the fabric.Dab starch onto the seam allowance.

Press.

To do the other side I bend the fabric down and hold it like this as I apply the starch too this seam allowance. I keep holding as long as I can while I press.

Press.

Now your leaf should look like this.

From here I bend the point back so that all of the seam allowance is tucked in.

While I am holding it I dab the starch on.

I hold it down until the iron is really close. This is why it is somewhat important to turn the steam off on your iron. I know it’s a little scary but I don’t burn myself if I am careful.

Here is the back of the leaf with the pressing done.

Applique Fabric Solution…

I have been loving how bright and fresh the fabrics coming out these days are but there is a little problem with them…for me at least. The patterns are really really BIG, and not entirely appropriate for appliqué. As I have been planning my bird mandala quilt I remembered that Jinny Beyer has some absolutely wonderful tone on tone fabrics that would be great for appliqué. I’ve used her fabric tons over the years but I thought I would check out her latest palette collection….well here it is…SWOON

I mean just look at these greens

I also ordered a fat quarter pack because it reminded me of Tuscan pottery

and this inspiring photo from Orvieto

That’s Some Piecing Baby

Yep, finally had an idea for those pretty Lecien fabrics I showed you a while ago. I’m getting very excited about piecing these days. It must be due to all the amazing pieced quilts I see at work.

On that note…I was thinking I would still do a Block of the Month next year, but this time it would have an appliquéd center (duh!) and pieced blocks around the edge. What do you guys think?

Back to Digital

OK, I know I sound super flaky here but I’m restarting my digital pattern shop on Pattern Spot. I think a LOT of people are switching to digital patterns now and I can really see why. Plus, now that I spend so much more time working at my Big Girl Job, I would rather have the time for sewing and designing.

SO, when you click on the Visit My Shop button you will have links to both shops.

Off to sew….

Design Wall Monday

 

More tweaking….

My design wall/table today has my new bird mandala design on it for some tweaking…

Stay Tuned