Wow!

Looking good Everyone! The Blocks are really looking great together!
I'm loving seeing how all your creative minds work! It's truly a great experience seeing these blocks come in and watch the quilts grow! So many processes, techniques and designs, so very Inspiring! Thanks for taking the challenge!
Remember to please have you blocks shipped ASAP,
I'd liked to have received the rest by Mid November.
Thanks!

Keep those creative juices flowing!

I finished my second block this am!
I will be mailing them to Victoria on Monday!
Happy Halloween
Kathie
http://inspiredbyantiquequilts.blogspot.com/

finito!

Alrighty then! I finished up my second block last night. This one was completely my design. I had a little help with the scooter block design though :).

For the "tulip twist" block, I wanted to try my hand at the applique where you turn the raw edges under, so there is no fusible web on the fabric. As far as I can tell, it's like needle turn, but with an iron, and sewn with a machine. I actually got all my tips for doing this from Pat Sloan's book, Pat Sloans Favorite Techniques. I cannot recommend this book enough. She not only goes over the how-to's of applique, she tells you what her favorite products are and why.

I'll let my block speak for itself, this is my first hand at doing applique like this, and I'm very pleased.


Basically, to make this block I cut out the shapes and used my clover craft iron with the mini head on it to press all the little pieces with some light starch. I then used some "glue-baste-it" to tack all the pieces down where I wanted. (this product is ESSENTIAL! There is no way I would have been able to get perfect placement by pinning all those little bits down with straight pins. And since I didn't want to have the extra stiffness of the webbing, this product really impressed me!!) Using a straight stitch, I stitched very close to the edges (I don't typically do hand sewing unless it would save my life or the life someone that I love! :))

I also wanted to give just a few tips on my scooter block.


I did this with raw edge applique, so there has to be a fusible webbing on the back (I guess so the fabric won't fray too much?) Anyway, the product I used that made the biggest difference for placing all the pieces for the scooter, was "The applique pressing sheet". I have had mine for years, and don't know when, why, or where I picked it up, but this was the first time I used it, since this is the first time I've done applique. It's so awesome because you fuse your pieces together on the pressing sheet instead of your background fabric. As you're fusing the pieces together, if you don't get perfect placement, you can peel the piece off the mat and move them!!!! I had to do that a couple times so I was very grateful I didn't just start out by fusing the pieces to the background fabric where I couldn't have moved them.

So thank-you so much V for putting this all together! It pushed me to finally try applique and stretched my thought processes for sure! I'm very excited that through a little research and with a little skill, I CAN do applique, it's not that hard. Just a little tedious and time consuming!

~Penny

first block

I'm so excited!
It's actually turning out the way I envisioned.



Now I just need help!

All you applique experts out there, do I just do a straight stitch around the edges?

EDITED TO ADD:

ok, so here it is all sewn down with a straight stitch. I'm really happy with how it turned out!

baby steps

I've been dipping my toes in the world of applique with a little research, and now it's time to take the plunge. This is the current state of my applique blocks:



But tomorrow, that's all gonna change. I've got grand ideas. Hopefully the ideas will look as grand with fabric as they do in my head, lol!

We'll talk tomorrow, either way!

Quick Post

Just wanted to show my finished block...I had planned to run to the post office, but I am home with a sick kiddo today...maybe later tonight after hubby gets home..or first thing tomorrow! This block makes me happy..the raw edges seem appropriate for bird feathers and a nest! I'm feeling a bit more confident with a new technique (thanks for the motivation V!) And thanks to everyone for the kind comments.

Finished

Just a quick post to let you know I am finished with my second block (no pics taken yet...maybe tomorrow) but I wanted you to know that it is finished! I can't find my micron pen, so will run out to get one tomorrow, then to the post office!

Finite

Finally completed...and I had so much fun with these, I want more fabric to create more loveliness! For more shots of these, I blogged them here:Happy sewing,
Doris

for me this was a real challenge!
It was fun using little bits of fabric and making do with what I had
notice the bird, I wanted him to be blue,
blue bird of happiness thoughts here :) but the piece was not big enough I sewed pieces together to get the size I needed!
finally after cutting and playing this is what I came up with...now the appliquéing will begin.
Hope you like them
Kathie

Nearing completion.

I guess I will have to watch alot of TV this week to get these done.
M.C.

Get 'er done!

Hi,
Needs work....this has been really fun. I love what everyone has done. Such variety....Such talent!!
Mary C.

One block

...almost done! I need to stitch it down and add some details. I feel like it's okay, but I'm looking forward to improving on my second one! It was really tricky figuring out how to cut and place the pieces, and everything ended up bigger and reversed from the original plan.

Cats blocks

This are my blocks done. I'm waiting for the ones from my friends and so I will send them to N.Y.city.

nichi

Mailed?

My very wonderful husband is on the way to the post office with the blocks in hand.  V - please forgive me for including nothing for you in the package but I hurt my back and my husband is doing most of the running.  I just couldn't figure out how to send him to get a trinket or a cut of fabric.  He would gladly do it if I could be specific, but I couldn't.  Thanks so much for allowing me to participate.  I am on pins and needles waiting to see the finished quilts. 

DONE and DONE!

I really struggled with what to do for my applique. I had thought I would do reverse applique (something I've never tried) but once I saw the fabric I realized I probably wouldn't have enough for two blocks and get lots of contrast....

So I put the fabric aside for awhile until I was printing a leaf template from Martha Stewart's web site and there happened to be a butterfly on the same page. "Voila!" I thought! If a butterfly doesn't say colorful I don't know what does!


I wish I would have arranged them both like the one on the left, I think the possibilities for quilting are really cool. C'est la vie!

Lots of Changes

I finished my blocks today and after all my planning they are nothing like I thought they would be.  I am at least not horrified with either of them.  I thought and planned and then the fabric didn't talk to me when I tried to force it into the patterns I had in mind.

 I did manage to get the bird I love in one of the blocks and I think it turned out sort of cute  - take a look.

The other block was supposed to be a flower, but there wasn't enough fabric in colors close enough to pull it off, so I regrouped.  I went online and searched and found the machine applique paisley by Jennifer Paganelli.  Being blissfully ignorant I thought I was up to the challenge of placing 3 of the paisleys equally in the square, I wasn't and it is a little off, but I still like it.  Hope you do too.

Now I hope they are usable in the quilts.  I had fun making them and actually learned a little.

Penny G.

two new

Two new blocks! I am posting these blocks for my mother! Yes, I wrangled her in to help
on this quilt too. Trying to encourage her to start doing more sewing again...
She liked to point out to me, that, the last time SHE appliqued, was also the last time I APPLIQUED.
I had a home Economics class in 8th grade, where I had to applique a scene, and of course I picked something rather difficult because I had already been sewing for quite a while...
it was three little chicks under a BIG umbrella... I had a broken leg, and sat around, and thought it was the perfect thing to work on... But it was so putzy, that I couldn't stand it and I begged my mother to help me finish it!
My first time and my last time for a good 25 years!
So, Way to go MOM! Thanks for giving it a whirl! And you surprised me by trying some different things! A few yoyo's in there, a ruffle, some cording...
Thanks mother dear!

...at last!

The package arrived at last!

nichi

The Sun and The Moon

Here they are my

Moon and Sun.

My inspiration came from a Mexican serving dish I have as decoration.

There were other designs worked up but thought this would be THE ONE.

It's raw edge applique with some hand embroidery in royal blue.

I really enjoyed myself with this project.

(You'll have to excuse the picture quality. I wanted to post this tonight so there was only artificial light available. Bummer!)

Thanks V for letting me come along for the ride!

It's in the mail tomorrow :o)

Till Next Time!

Carla

rolling along

Hi all! Boy! Coming home last night was fun!
Lot's of little packages!

Thanks, Tara, Mary, Janet, Sarah P, and Trudi! Don't they look great!!!

;-)

Grey...

Hello everyone,
this post is grey as my mood. I didn't receive my package with scraps! How far is Italy? Where is it lost? I'm really really sorry. My patterns are ready...I'm ready...but... Hope I will be on time to add also the mine to your wonderful blocks. I haven't any of this fabrics in my stash otherwise I have used the mine. Sigh! I can only wait!

nichi

Sneak Peak

Everyone has such amazing stuff going on with their blocks! It's a bit intimidating I'll have to admit. I have finished one block and still working on the second one. It's not flowers but something I created with some help from my kitchen. 

It's all raw edge applique with some embroidery. 

Any guesses as to what it might be? I'll give you a hint: It's not any type of food.

 I'm hoping by tomorrow evening to post the finished products.

Till Next Time!

Carla

What I have done so far.
This hexagon is really labor intensive. I am not sure if I will do one on the other block.. ...They're cut out already. I have to think about it.. Have a great weekend, everyone. I have never posted on a blog so I hope it works.
Mary C.

ready for the mail!!

my blocks are ready!! I must confess that after seeing the work of other girls, I feel that my blocks are a little "naked", but hey, I'm not a frilly person, so these blocks may talk a little about myself ... also I'm a bit nervous for the work i did because i'm not an apliqque expert!! so with all those things i hope you like them...

the white fabric shrink a little ... I ironed several times to no longer shrinks again ... I hope not shrink back ... I thing everything goes well with those amazing quilts!

and monday they will be in the mail!!

have a great weekend everyone!!

Peek-a-Boo

Just a little sneak peek since they are still works in progress....


More soon....

Doris
www.threadsofconversation.blogspot.com

I finished my blocks!

Haven't done much applique since I finished the center of the medallion of Comsati (my header quilt) so it was good to get back to it. I am just a beginner at applique.

Well Victoria ask for applique for the Sis Boom Pow blocks, so I got out my Easy Applique Blocks book by Kay Mackenzie and chose the vase. This cool book has a CD so I went to the index and chose my design and the size I wanted (so easy) and printed it out. I used the starch method for these.

Hope they work for the quilts Victoria is making. I sure had fun putting them together. They're going in the mail today.

pat on the back

Hi from Houston! Need some applique inspiration? leave it to me, all these gorgeous quilts, and I'm obsessed with the few they have hanging from the 1800's... I only had my phone with me today, as I cruised through for an hour, exhausted from the flight... This quilt top was for the 1800's, and the entire thing is appliqued... andmany hand dyed fabrics... It has such warm tones... i love it.

here's a little close up...

There seems to be many people in blog land doing feathery flowers like this lately,
well this was from 1850. gorgeous.
It's all a bit overwhelming. It's so huge, and people, and booths etc etc...
(ME, from NYC, complaining about people and crowds??!!)
Anyway, makes me feel I have a lot to learn!
And what fun I'll have learning!

Speaking of learning...
I am so impressed with all of you and your blocks.
No matter what level you are at, the one thing I am always telling people,
is just give it a try, try new things, techniques, styles, colors etc...
These donation quilts are all about a bunch of people coming together
to make someones life, maybe a bit easier, or happier...

You all are doing a great job... No intimidation here...

Everyone just do your thing and go for it.

Thanks ladies for taking a chance and trying new things.
Now I am off to bed, i have some ladies to meet up with tomorrow.
(Shelly of shelly quilts and Shelly of prairie moon quilts.) what fun!
Besides, In the a.m. I need to sneak off and see the art Houston has to offer too....

Like the Rothko Chapel...
And maybe find me some BBQ~

there's some good stuff down here, y'all!~

g'nite.

My First Applique

I'm feeling a little hesitation....I finished my first block and was so pleased with myself since it was the first time I have ever appliqued. It's a simple pattern. It took no time at all. I was so pleased....until I looked at all the other blocks that have been sent back to V. Oh, they're amazing! Now my block looks rather juvenile...and simple and like it took no time at all to make. I will be spending a bit more time on my second block. Sure hope this one is ok.

Practice makes perfect

Since I'd never ever tried applique before, I thought it would be prudent to have a litttle practice before butchering the beautiful fabrics! And here is what I produced.

This is machine applique using a zig zag stitch as I think the applique stitch on my machine is rubbish, does anyone have any advice on stitch length etc for this? And the base fabric puckered a bit, is this because I didn't necessarily lift the foot every time I pivoted or should I use a stabiliser at the back? Oooh, this is so new to me!!!!

I might tried some hand applique and see which one I like best.

Any constructive criticism is more than welcome!

Brain Food

It's raining (a lot, even for Seattle.) So, I am eating lunch, surfing the internet, looking for inspiration for my blocks. All of yours look so great, I am still looking for the POW I need to start sewing.

Thanks to a power lunch and a visit to Glorious Color (Lollypop Trees= WOW! POW!), it looks like a perfect afternoon for sewing!

rolling in

Well, some of the blocks are starting to roll in. Have you gotten your ideas together yet?
They are looking so good!!! it's so inspiring to click on the blog each day and see what everyone is doing! And it's like Christmas when I get a squishy envelope in the mail!

I hope you all are finding inspiration in the fabrics...


I believe the only person who has not recvd theirs is Nichi, anyone else?
Have they reached you Alexis in Singapore?

Have no fear, if you need more time, that's fine, I just don't want to leave it go to long, then folks start to forget about them. I also figure most will want them done and outta there by thanksgiving... once we start the Xmas rush...

So play, have fun, keep posting your progress!
You encourage everyone else...
I'm off to Houston, and will check back in Monday.

toodles.

V

fin

they'll be on their way tomorrow

finished blocks

I got both blocks done for the quilts this evening. I ended up machine appliqueing them--had planned on needle turning them, but ended up way to overwhelmed to give it a try! Both white squares shrunk on me when I ironed them, not sure if it was the spray starch or what. Hopefully V can sash them or work with them.

I had a lot of fun with this and the fabrics were just beautiful! They'll go in the mail tomorrow!

sneak peek

I can definitely see how this could become addictive V!!

White Fabric

Ok,
everyone seems to think it will be fine, so we are just going with it.

Some blocks have shrunk a bit, and I am hoping I will be able to trim them down
to all be the same.

I don't mind sashing,
my concern was what happens to the applique if
the block shrinks more than the applique...

So. Let's just go with it. and I will work it out.
Thanks for many of your quick responses!

Fingers crossed...

V

packets recvd?

Something is up!
Kathie said when she ironed the white fabric that it SHRUNK!
Has anyone noticed this on their blocks?
I'm not sure what to do about this...

Those of you have finished your blocks, did you notice if the blocks shrank considerably?

we're not talking about the applique shrinking the block.
She said the white fabric in pressing it shrank a good half inch
and that makes me worried about when it's washed....

I've never seen this happen.

Any advice??
Use different white?

sigh.


Also I need to know besides Nichi, who has not recvd their fabric...
thanks.

my fabrics are here!!!

finally my package arrived yesterday from NY ... and i hope play with those little fabrics the next days!

have a great weekend!!!!!

Blocks Done!

Yesterday I spent the day working on my blocks. I had great fun, I really enjoyed the challenge of using fabrics that had been chosen for me. You must admit, they are great fabrics!

I'm really pleased with how these turned out, applique isn't really my thing, so this was an interesting exercise for me.

So I chose to fuse my pieces and do a little raw edge applique instead of traditional hand piecing. I can hear all the purist screaming at their computers. (please don't shout at me ... bottom lip quivers ... lol)

Although the design is drawn directly from the traditional, the utterly modern fabrics just called for a modern take on the technique. Well, that's my story and I'm sticking to it!

V, I'm hoping to get my little helper to get these in the post to you tomorrow or Saturday :-) Thanks for such a great opportunity!

Fabrics arrived

Well my fabrics have arrived - and they're gorgeous! Think I might have to get me some!

I've had one idea for a while now, but I'm stuck for a second idea, even googling "pow" "wow" and "zing" brought little inspration..... so maybe I'll just do two blocks with the same idea.

Visitors her until Monday so I'll start then.
x