Funny thing happened when I tried to turn the wool applique blocks into a wall hanging - I could not do it! As I was auditioning fabrics for sashing, I wasn't happy with any of the combinations... The quilt fairy then whispered three words: Make A Tote! And so it is that I made a wool tote. It stands on its own (I did not put anything inside it for the pictures), it is lightweight, hand finished. I added I couple of 'bees' (buttons - seen on top right of the applique block), used DMC floss to … [Read more...] about Wool Applique Tote
Appliqué
Hawaii on my mind
I just found these two pieces I appliqued a few years ago. There were two others, in green, but I turned them into a tote for my mother. These might become another tote, or wall hangings, or pillows. The pattern was enlarged by 200% and, compared to the one I am working on right now, they were easier to needle turn as there weren't many tricky spots. I am almost done with the first (out of nine) block on the new project. As you can see from the pictures below, since I did not enlarge the … [Read more...] about Hawaii on my mind
Hawaiian applique set-up – Tutorial
Wow! One week without internet is so strange... In the meantime, I am working on Hawaiian appliques and thought you might enjoy the tutorial. My first projects with Hawaiian themes were made back in 2005. It has been a while so I decided to revisit the book I bought in a quilt shop in Maryland, from which I got the patterns for the first projects. Usually, Hawaiian applique patterns are provided as 1/8 of the design, so you must fold the fabric properly before placing the pattern onto it. … [Read more...] about Hawaiian applique set-up – Tutorial
Wool Block #4
I have had a cold this week, so this 4th block took a little longer to come together. The cat is doing pretty much what I've wanted to do every day! I used bull head stitches for the ground cover, with French knots and small stitches sprinkled everywhere; straight stitches and French knots on the flowers, stem stitch on the bud leaves; back stitch on the bee... I think that is it. Here are more details: ... and here is a picture of the four blocks so far: As I may have mentioned … [Read more...] about Wool Block #4
Wool Block #4
I have had a cold this week, so this 4th block took a little longer to come together. The cat is doing pretty much what I've wanted to do every day! I used bull head stitches for the ground cover, with French knots and small stitches sprinkled everywhere; straight stitches and French knots on the flowers, stem stitch on the bud leaves; back stitch on the bee... I think that is it. Here are more details: ... and here is a picture of the four blocks so far: As I may have mentioned … [Read more...] about Wool Block #4
Wool Block Number 2
Drum roll... Here is my second block for the wool wall hanging I am designing. I wanted to sew around the background fabric before I started the applique to prevent fraying as I stitch, but did not feel like contending with Sapphire the cat, as she had gotten to my chair before I did... Thus, the hanging threads! This design was based on a drawing by Rita Martin (1986). It features my husband's favorite ducks. After I applique the wool, it is so nice to figure out where to embroider, and what … [Read more...] about Wool Block Number 2