I enjoyed my retreat last weekend - thanks for all the well wishes :0) I waffled for weeks over what I would take to work on. I wanted to start something new.
I decided on a Kim Diehl pattern in the latest Fons and Porter Love of Quilting magazine. It was a beautiful match of applique and piecing. Such a pretty pattern - perfect for retreat I thought. I had a glorious time choosing fabrics entirely from my stash to make it.
I decided to try Kim Diehl's method for machine applique using invisible thread. The applique pieces are prepped with freezer paper - ironing the seam allowance under to stick to freezer paper so there are no raw edges. I had been wanting to try this method for a long time.
Now after making only 2 blocks I am quite sure I do NOT like this applique method. I can't stand the prep. Ironing that 1/4 inch seam allowance onto the shiny side of freezer paper is not something I have patience for. Also, I found sewing with invisible thread is hard on the eyes. While it is faster than hand applique - I do not enjoy it. I think I gave it a fair try making 2 blocks.
I don't know what I'm going to do now. I could switch to hand applique to make the remaining 7 blocks but then my other applique projects would suffer neglect and I'm pretty sure these 2 machine appliqued blocks would always bug me. I could also just make these 2 blocks into little table toppers or wallhangings as gifts and forget about making the quilt. I'll have to think about it for awhile. Anyway I thought the sentence under the title in the magazine was a bit ironic. Personally I don't find hand applique tedious at all but ironing those little edges onto freezer paper - very tedious!
I also brought this Whig Rose block that I made a couple of years ago to add something to. The applique block is part of one pattern and the border part of another from this Lori Smith book. I will add another plain border and make it into a little wallhanging.
As a guild we also put together a Zoo quilt. One of the members took it home to quilt. It turned out really cute. It was a lovely weekend of relaxing and sewing with friends :0)
Happy Quilting!!
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16 comments:
Thanks so much for sharing your retreat weekend... and your applique project... about to start my first... do you have a tute on your fave method of applique that you recommend? Thanks! I love the table topper or even a trivet would be fun with insulbrite and batting and hand stitched! Bet you will like them better then :) Just my humble 2 cents... will watch to see if you share what you decide :) Kathi
Uh oh ... I'm signed up for a freezer paper appliqué class next month. :-o
I love,those blocks, including your fabrics, even if you were not a fan do the method.
They are pretty blocks and a nice pattern with a great secondary design. I would find that ironing tedious also, there is just something relaxing about needleturn appliqué.
Your blocks look lovely, but we're suppose to be doing things that are fun and pleasurable. Did you use a regular iron or one of the mini irons? The smaller the iron the easier to get the edges under, but it still is a lot of prep time up front.
It is good to try new techniques. Even revisit ones we've previously passed on! I'm still on the lookout for the perfect machine appliqué technique. Until then, I'm enjoying hand work :-)
Sounds like it isn't the machine applique that is the problem - but the ironing-of-edges prep? I have never mastered that either and I just stick with needle turn hand applique, because I enjoy it. Kyle has a good point - a small iron may make all the difference? The blocks you've made are very pretty!
The quilt blocks are beautiful--good to try new techniques to see if you like them. I like the accuracy of using freezer paper--it does increase prep time. Have you thought about using the two blocks to make a table runner or wall hanging.
I had thoughts of making that quilt too... but thought the borders would be too tedious for me to piece! lol! I used to hand applique using this freezer paper technique and found the whole process too time consuming.... especially since I just wanted to stitch! ;-) But, at least we tried something new right? LOVE the whig rose quilt you made! The colors and design are just perfect!
I've been doing the back basting method of applique and love it! Your blocks look great, I love anything Kim Diehl. Is that the latest issue of Fons and Porter? I need to find the pattern. I was at a retreat this week as well.
I'm with you, Janet! Really dislike the prep work because I want to start sewing right away. Your blocks are really nice, and I'm sure you will find the perfect project to include them in.
Always fun (?) to try something new... it's the only way to find your way back to the method you like best!
It's fun to try something new...even if it does nothing but reinforce your current favorite methods. I see them being cute little quilts...I love what you did with your whig rose block, by the way...
At least you were willing to give it a try. I find that the prep doing it that way is way too tedious for me as well. I like the idea of making a little runner and giving it away.
I totally agree about prepping machine applique! I like needle turn myself. The blocks are beautiful though and if you do a whole quilt they'll play nicely.
Love the whig rose little quilt
what pretty combinations you've made
glad you had a great time :)
I don't have much patience for ironing the edges over onto freezer paper either. A pretty block design with the pieced center. And the Whig Rose design my favorite.
Love your little Wig Rose top. I have that book - makes me want to get it out and make one.:-)
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