Farmer's Wife QAL

My second set of  blocks for the Farmer's Wife QAL are done...

I have to get moving on that Kona Cotton stack of deliciousness 

{before I get completely swept away by this one}.

Mr. Fabulous has a lot on his plate this week but we'll get back to basic applique shortly.

Happy Quilting,
Heather



We have VIDEO!

Simplified Needle Turn is helpful for basket handles or vines when you're new to applique, especially for smaller blocks. Your concave line of sewing can be done by machine or by hand, since it won't show...it's just personal preference. 

Once you complete your sewing near the raw edge of the bias, you'll flip and press the bias tape (or bias strip) over the completed line of sewing towards the convex (outer) line of sewing {where you'll hand applique}.

If you choose to try back basting and are fussy cutting your handle or if you're new to working with bias, you'll want to cut your focus fabric large initially, so you have room to line up your print {and/or to keep the bias from stretching until your basting is complete}.

Additional applique tutorials on points & the sweeping motion of traditional applique are available HERE by PDF.

Happy Applique,

Heather

=)

Twitter is All Abuzz!!

The Twitter hashtag #FWQAL {Farmer's Wife Quilt-A-Long} has quilters in quite a stir.

Fabric is flying off the shelf & scores of the Laurie Aaron Hird book are going fast!

It's a good 'ol fashioned bee...but modern & online.

Join in the fun on Flickr, blog if you're into that kind of thing, tweet to your heart's content and join in the fun.

If you're new to applique, you're not the only one. Don't let that stop you. I've got a basic intro to applique tutorial on the way. For those of you who know me in real life, you're probably painfully aware that I've been slightly obsessed with learning all I could about the subject for the last year or so. The tutorial is a condensed version of my nerdiness with additional sites mentioned when what's left of my memory managed to hang on to those details. If I left something out, please let me know.

I'm freakishly visual and applique is all about movements so showing you is far easier than a photo tutorial. Mr. Fabulous was kind enough to VIDEO an applique tutorial for me...it's downloading to his computer at this very moment. We're new to this technology, so your patience is greatly appreciated. Part I should be available late tonight or early tomorrow. I'll add a link or embed a copy (depending on how late/early it is!) to a post here.

I'm joining in the fun a little late but it's a laid back, piece at your own pace, friendly atmosphere. To participate, the only requirement is that you pick up a copy of the book.

See 'ya at the bee!

Happy Quilting,

Heather

=)