And now I can give them both a big ole tick off the list.
First, flying geese (they're the little triangles each side of the centre rose block).
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| Hello pretty fussy cut rose |
Those points aren't quite perfect, but they're not too shabby either. There are, like, a million billion tutorials on how to do flying geese, so I won't bore you with the details. I just followed the cutting instructions I got sent and focussed on getting a proper scant 1/4" seam. That seemed to work just fine.
Secondly, needle turn appliqué. The lesson here - spend two minutes looking for a free YouTube tutorial BEFORE you spend hours on it. Durr. Apart from the centre circle (which is pretty spot on, even if I do say so myself) I used a sort of whip stitch to sew the fabric down. It took hours. and. hours. one evening, peering at it while watching Game of Thrones (SPOILER ALERT: we got to the end of the series and they still haven't killed off Joffrey. I mean, honestly, how long can they drag it out?). And despite all that time, you can still see my little stitches.
In the morning, I got up to do the blue centre and thought I would look at this tutorial. Epiphany. The centre circle took me about 10 minutes after I had pressed it and the stitches are basically invisible. Despite my general spazziness, I still think the block looks okay, and there are five more applique blocks in the quilt for me to practice on. So it turns out that needle turn applique is not the devil. In fact, it's pretty simple - try it. Go on!
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| Hello first ever appliqué |
To press the centre circle perfectly - I used a technique I watched in a Craftsy tutorial. You cut a thin cardboard template into a circle and then use a piece of tinfoil to fold the fabric (cut 1/4" bigger than the template) around the cardboard and hold it in place. Then you can press the tinfoil with the iron (hot, hot, hot). When you take the tinfoil off you have a perfectly pressed circle with its seams all tucked under to use.
I used a little blob of my EPP glue in the centre of each bit of fabric to hold them in place while I sewed them. It worked great. No getting the glue near where you want to stitch though. That = sad face.
I also finished another of the pinwheel blocks we will be placing around the sides of the quilt. I'm going to do one a month until they're done - there are 10 in total (8 to go now). So, excluding the pinwheels, this is where I'm at:
I used a little blob of my EPP glue in the centre of each bit of fabric to hold them in place while I sewed them. It worked great. No getting the glue near where you want to stitch though. That = sad face.
I also finished another of the pinwheel blocks we will be placing around the sides of the quilt. I'm going to do one a month until they're done - there are 10 in total (8 to go now). So, excluding the pinwheels, this is where I'm at:
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| July - pieced block |
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| August - pieced block |
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| August - applique block |
I would never think to put these fabrics together, but I think it's going to look great when it's done. Bring on September!
Howdy WIP Wednesday visitors. It's nice to see you!
19 comments:
I just love these blocks! I think they look terrific! yay! for learning new things! Great job!
xo jan
it is so happy and gorgeous! love your geese and applique! well done you!
Oh, the citrus colors in that beautiful fussy cut rose are divine! Is grapefruit the only citrus you grow or do you have others? This reminds me so much of our little orchard in the backyard. Happy, happy.
I signed up for Sarah Feilke's craftsy class that includes needle turn applique. I don't know when I might use it, but its there for me. Flying Geese - you are advancing in skills quickly! This quilt is reminding me of Sarahs style and fabric choices. Very Aussie to me. Quite a cheerful composition!
It is going to look fabulous when it's finished. This is good way to use different fabrics and techniques and step outside your comfort zone.
Especially the flying geese block looks great! And the others are nice too. Well done you!
GoT: just read the books girl of you want to know when they get rid of him! LOL!!! the series is going much faster than it is in the books. Just have patience with the tv-series!
Your blocks are really wonderful. Loving the applique! Wish I was as good as you are!
Esther
esthersipatchandquilt at yahoo dot com
Ipatchandquilt dot wordpress dot com
This will be such a happy and beautiful quilt! Love it!
So much pretty! Well done you for tackling new quilty skills! Looks like you've mastered them pretty nicely!
Wow wow wow wow. Just love it! All the prints! So pretty.
I'm loving all the dotty fabrics together .. nice work on the new skills!
Looking great! I've never tried needle turn either...maybe I should?
I've tried needle turn only the once an didn't get as perfect as circle as you have managed - I'm off to watch the video - thanks for the link. Love the applique block colours - looks great!
Love your blocks. You are so clever.
Your blocks are beautiful! This will be a fun one to see finished... Which may be in 8 months or so :) happy sewing!
Dropping by this time from MQI N&T Thursday - loving watching your progress. Your needle turned applique block looks just great and as you say now you know the best method for the next blocks. I'm in love with that fussy cut rose in the centre of one of the blocks too :)
What a beautiful blocks! I love them! Wel done! Beautiful fabrics and colors!
I love cabbage quilt's style and this BOM of yours is looking so much fun and I am pretty sure it is going to end up really pretty!
Thanks for sharing!
Amira
http://littlemushroomcap.blogspot.com
ohhh pretty!! These are gorgeous and needle turn applique is on my to do list - I think it looks fun and I like the possibilities :)
oh!! love these blocks- and your applique is awesome! These fabrics will be just like wrapping up in summertime!
Thank you so much for sharing at Needle and Thread Thursday!
:) Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation
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