The way I have always worked is with one project on the go at a time. I also like to do my own designs. BUT here I am with three projects on the go already and I have signed up to the Di Ford Mystery Quilt published by
Quiltmania (also available from The
Contented Cat in the UK). Not only am I making someone's design but I have also signed up to the fabric kits from
The Quilt Room.
Di Ford has made a
video of how she made this block. In the video she has put the chintz fabric into tea to darken it slightly so it will match the background fabric. This looks great on her quilt but I need to be able to wash mine. Luckily I found some background fabric in my stash which matches the chintz background nicely, so I shall use this.
I am not the best needleturner on the planet so I am going back to using 3 layers of freezer paper as my method. This is how the pattern is printed out and I will need to mirror image it or my quilt will end up back to front. Normally all I have to do with my own designs is place the image upside down on my lightbox/table and it is fine.
However another pattern is printed on the reverse. Even with a light box it was difficult to see the right lines. So I traced it through onto the reverse. I could then trace this image onto one layer of freezer paper. With this piece of freezer paper on top I then pressed it shiny side down onto two more layers of freezer paper to get my templates.
I turned it back the right way to copy onto my background fabric. I prepared the fabrics with starch. I show how on this
post.
I then glued them in place with a glue stick.
I read in one of my applique books to try doing the applique stitch from right to left but with the applique facing away from you. It felt really wrong for the first five minutes or so but it is brilliant. My applique stitches have improved no end.
If anything, they are too small.....
On New Years Eve we got some bad news about Frank.
He has a heart disease. He doesn't know and goes out for walks with great joy. His stomach is swollen and is giving him problems with excess fluid.
Christmas Day
Christmas Day
In amongst the neolithic stones on the hill.
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Great start , now I can't wait to get my Pattern to see what letters and numbers are at the bottom of it. LOL
ReplyDeleteSally, I hate that when they print the patterns on both sides of the paper! Aunt Millie's Garden was that way and it was a pain. I'm intrigued by your mention of turning the applique to stitch in the opposite direction. Will have to give that a try :) Frank looks like he is enjoying the beautiful countryside :)
ReplyDeleteIt looks good so far. :-). I took an appliqué class last winter and learned a lot. I have a very nice UFO to show for it, this post of yours has got the fire burning for me to go back and continue with that one. Thanks Miss Feather Lady. :-)
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about Frank. I'll have to try that trick about the applique facing away from one - I need help with my stitching. Yes, that sheet would drive me nuts.
ReplyDeleteYour appliqué is gorgeous, Sally! I'm really sorry to hear about Frank's heart disease — it's so difficult to see our beloved pets sicken. I hope he continues to enjoy life for as long as possible.
ReplyDeleteI have been so tempted to making the Di Ford quilt after stroking the fabrics when I was at Cowslip a few weeks ago. It is a gorgeous quilt and can't wait to see how they are evolving around he globe.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry about Frank I hope he is still enjoying his walks.
Sally - frank is a handsome, if somewhat dribbly, boy. I love his feet. They look so elegant. He's living in the moment - he's being 'dog'. I hope you both enjoy the time you have left together ( and I have a lump in my throat as I type this) Hilary xx ps Whippet X has looked his age on a couple of occasions recently. I know his time will come, but still I love his company, and I know that in his doggy way, he loves mine.
ReplyDeleteYour project is going to look so lovely...my heart goes out to you and your Frank...he is a gorgeous boy for sure...sending hugs your way...
ReplyDeleteThanks for this. It is really interesting. I'm left handed so the new way you are sewing is the way I would do it naturally. Do you think that means I should be trying to do it the other way round? And would the other way round just be left to right or would it be with applique facing towards me as well???
ReplyDeleteThanks for this. It is really interesting. Do you know why the different way of sewing works? I am left handed and your new way is the way I would do it naturally. Do you think that means I should be trying to do it the other way round? And would the other way round just be left to right or should the applique be facing towards me as well???
ReplyDeleteJoyce, you are set to 'no reply' so I cannot answer you.
ReplyDeleteLefties need to work from left to right but still keep the applique piece away from you. It needs a little time for this to feel natural to you.
So sorry to hear about Frank. I know you are giving him the best possible life though, and if he's happy, that's all that matters.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry about Frank. One of my dogs is epileptic with other problems too, so we spend a lot of time at the vets! He has a good quality of life though, we hope. We have had other ill dogs though, (all our dogs were abandoned) so we know how hard it can be. You will know when it is time to give him the final act of love.
ReplyDeleteFrank is such a beautiful boy - it always makes me smile to see him. I'm so sorry about his heart.
ReplyDeleteAm in complete awe of your applique skills - it looks really lovely.