One Piece at a Time

My Favorite Bloomers

As I'm sitting here designing my newest quilt I noticed that I use the same flowers over and over again. They are the tried and true plants in my quilted gardens. True confession, I'm an absolute horrible REAL gardener. SO I've decided to make a little catalog of these flowers and sew them into a little book. Sort of like a seed catalog but for my quilts.

This is my first addition. This flower is a great one for using with fun prints and it's scalloped edges make it very relaxing to stitch. Plus, you can add a pop of contrasting color with the big center circle. Pair with these simple leaves and you cannot go wrong.

Check back next week for Bloomer #2.

P.S. when they are all done there will be a pattern.

 

Applique Cheat Sheet

Follow this LINK for a cheat sheet of applique techniques used in these patterns.

All the techniques in one place!

Hello applique friends! I wanted to consolidate all my technique in one place so people can have a handy dandy guide to all the techniques.

Here is the list of links. Let me know if I missed anything.

Making Templates and leaves

Inner points

Making tiny stems

Making circles

Making petals

Inner curves and outer points

Making quick and easy stems

Making vases and other larger shapes

Glue basting your block

The stitching

 

Quick and Easy Stems!

Sometimes when I'm deep into prepping a new quilt block I want to get the stems done quickly. Lately I've been piecing my backgrounds together so I wanted to try a new way of making stems that was fast and less bulky.

Here's how I do it now:

This is my new go to product for stems. It allows me to press but doesn't add stiffness! 

I fill up a Fabric Folding Pen from Clover with it and I'm ready to go.

I start with a 5/8" strip of fabric. This one is bias cut but it also works on straight grain cuts. I draw a line of Flatter about 1/3 of the way in from the long edge.

I turn this 1/3 over to the wrong side of the piece and press.

I then apply another line of Flatter 1/3 of the way from the other edge. 

Then fold and press again. Easy peasy!

well, HELLO!

Hello Friends!

I'm back from a longer than expected break and looking forward to sharing some new quilty creations with you.

This is a block from a new project I am working on and loving. I'm seeing just how many fabrics I can manage to use in one block. It's really FUN.

Stay tuned!