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