Pressing the Melon Seam Allowance: FREEZER PAPER METHOD

Using a craft iron on the highest setting, begin at the right side halfway point and work your way around the melon (orange peel). I actually prefer to use a regular iron for this size and shape. The craft iron is helpful for tiny pieces but definitely not worth the time and cost for this particular size/shape. The end results are no better than the standard iron and usually requires more time.

Using the standard iron, begin on the center right, carefully working your way around the shape counterclockwise. Longer fingernails come in handy here. If you are nervous about getting too close to the iron or are not blessed with longer nails, you can help to stabilize your shape by putting several pins straight down into your ironing board. Be sure not to place pins too close to the tips and seam allowance to avoid melting plastic on your iron.

Some of you may have heard that starch is helpful in keeping the seams in place. However, if you are using freezer paper and starch (or glue/glue stick), your shape will become warped and it may be more difficult to remove the freezer paper. It is an extra step that I find unnecessary and messy but you're free to do whatever you'd like.

When you complete the pressing of several melons, you're ready to begin hand sewing. If you are concerned about centering your melons, press the charm square base in half. Open the charm back up and fold and press in the opposite direction. Be careful if you plan to use directional fabrics (has a definite up and down and/or side to side pattern) for any projects, you'll have a little more planning to do at this point. 

Make sure to avoid the seam allowance 1/4 inch on the background charm fabric. It's good practice for your projects. You'll want to pin your shapes to your background fabrics. There are applique specific pins but they aren't necessary if you don't mind snagging a thread every once in a while as you work. I normally use piecing pins on large shapes (see pink cupcake melon below). 

Next, gather your needles and thread. For this level of sewing, using whatever you have on hand will work perfectly. Should you purchase nice fabrics for later, you may want to consider matching thread to your focus fabric (though I have also matched background fabrics before). If you're an advanced hand sewist, you may want to consider using a silk thread eventually. I use YLI for good projects and I match to the background fabric in those cases to avoid having to purchase several spools in lots of different colors.

Those of you accustomed to using beeswax thread for quilting, that thickens the thread and makes it easily viewable. I'll be demonstrating with some just so you can follow along but I do not recommend using bees wax for any applique. I'll be using considerably darker or lighter thread on pieces so each step is viewable. Most people cannot see my applique stitches if the thread matches either the focus or background fabrics. I naturally sew tiny itty bitty stitches. I'll work on making larger stitches to help make viewing a bit better. Please let me know if you're having difficulties seeing anything at any point.

As far as needles are concerned, I tend to use a 10 or 11 sharp or between. They're small needles with tiny eyes. I do not have a preferred brand yet but will be trying a new (to me) product soon and will let you know what I think. If you're using a different standard needle for these practice sessions, please know you'll definitely be able to see those stitches but they should appear smaller when you switch over to applique specific needles. Your stitches will also most likely be farther apart until they're replaced.

Additional applique tutorials are available on the tab just below the teal header.

Happy Applique!

Heather

COMING SOON: stitching your applique melons, curves and pointy points

Making Templates & Freezer Paper Melons

Some supplies you'll need for this segment of the project:

freezer paper

sharp scissors

template with seam allowance

template plastic or heavy card stock

sharp pencils

Light box (optional)

When you gather your supplies, make sure you have access to good lighting to complete these tasks or a light box. If you do not have a light box, you can use a clear craft box or plastic bin turned upside down, placing your phone flash light or other light source underneath.

You'll want to make a template the actual size of the melons first.

To do this, use template plastic or thin cardboard/heavy cardstock. If you are using clear template plastic or the cloudy type, you can lay the plastic over the yellow-green template to trace the shape with a sharp pencil. Your light box will make this process a little easier. If you're opting not to use template plastic, use some freezer paper to trace it (on the paper side, not the plastic side) and iron the freezer paper to the cardboard (recycled cereal box cardboard is perfect). Either way, carefully cut around your melon shape with sharp craft scissors (not fabric scissors). You may want to make several actual size templates at this point in case they are bent, accidentally cut, or you lose them.

If you use sharpie and want to remove the
remaining lines, use rubbing alcohol on
gauze for the best results.

Once your actual size templates are complete, trace the melons on your freezer paper (paper side, not plastic side), nesting them if at all possible. I cut inside the line for the best results using craft scissors. If your actual size template is a little off, that's ok. As long as it's consistent, even an eye for straight will usually look past it. It doesn't have to be perfect, basic applique provides a lot of leeway.

When your freezer paper (actual size) templates are complete, iron the plastic side down to the BACK of your fabric on the bias by placing the shape corner to corner on the 5" charm. Check the first couple with the original template to be sure you have plenty of seam allowance room. Cut on the seam allowance line around each melon.

I tend to cut scant seams without checking the template. For beginners, please be sure to cut the full seam allowance on the original template. You can always trim a bit more later but you can't add any if you need to. :)

COMING SOON: 
Ironing your seams for freezer paper method. If you have a clover type craft iron, plan to use it. I'll show you how to work with that and the regular iron to complete the melon shaped prep.

Preparing to Applique: the Basics

A combination block: applique and piecing
from the Farmer's Wife Quilt Along

There are MANY ways to applique. If someone tells you there is only one that should be a HUGE red flag that they don't know what they're talking about, don't want to share what they do know, and/or they're purists---which can be just an excuse to be judgemental, negative and sometimes cruel party poopers in my book. There's room for everyone here and we'll lift one another up in this project.

So you are aware, I could ask 50 different people who hand applique alone and get 50 different versions of just a couple techniques. I think knowing this will help you embrace what works best for YOU.

The beautiful French word applique simply means that a fabric is applied to another. How that is done is your call. Depending on the design, there may be several fabrics applied to one piece. Hand applique is generally considered "needle turn", which literally means you'll use your needle to turn under the fabric seam allowance. That's not always necessary, depending on the shapes and techniques used. For those of you with garment sewing experience (not you? That's OK, me neither!), we'll be working with considerably smaller seams than you are accustomed to. Quilters among us, if you've never used a scant quarter inch, you will in this process and it will be alright, I promise. If all of this is new to you, welcome and please don't worry. There's something new for everyone.

We're starting with melons. They're common, manageable, and require several key elements that will make other shapes easier to learn when the time comes. Those of you planning to sew along using the template called small orange peel will want to order now if you haven't yet. Of course, you could always learn at your own pace or draft a template to work with. If you are creating your own template, I suggest doing an image search to find one close to the 5" x 5" (12.7 cm) unless you're interested in considerably smaller/larger sizes.

To begin, please find some fabrics that are not of great importance to you. The earliest attempts will seem less appealing moving forward. I'll be working with some thin white cotton background fabric and some bright prints and/or solid Kona cotton for early demonstrations. I have a stack precuts from an I Spy swap a long time ago but eventually, I'll switch to a beige/gray solid background with different prints for the melons to save for a project. Those backgrounds will be Kona cotton most likely because that fabric is a little thicker than I like to use for appliqueing the shapes but it holds up nicely as a background, is inexpensive, and can be ordered at different times but still match for the most part. I also ♡ the newer Essex Linens but they are popular and may be more difficult to reorder when the time comes. The easiest way to get around that issue is to buy plenty up front. :)

If you'd also like to make something with your orange peels at some point, please wait until you are satisfied with your level of work before breaking out your adorable fabrics.

Some terminology that you'll want to look up if you're unfamiliar or it's been a while:

bias (linked in previous post) video here that includes selvage, straight of grain & cross grain
precuts: charm packs*, jelly roll, layer cake, fat eighth, fat quarter
quarter inch and scant seam allowances
quilter's cotton
selvage: do not use the selvage for needle turn applique since there is no give whatsoever in this strip of printed company information label or the plain opposite side selvage. There are people who collect the label sides, though so please don't throw it out. There's a selvage squares tutorial on one one of the blog tabs if you'd like to see how they can be used.

*Charms come in several sizes when swapping or purchasing from other quilters. Companies tend to use the standard 5" size. Be sure to carefully read the product descriptions. There's a new "mini" version of several common precuts including 2.5" charms, half jelly rolls, and half width jelly rolls. 

NEXT APPLIQUE POST: Making your templates actual size and tracing your freezer paper.

Please note that there is a page dedicated to applique beneath the teal header. 

The Sewing Room Redo is Shaping Up

Thanks to some online shopping and Mr. Fabulous, the sewing room is shaping up quickly. He installed a couple surge protector extension cords with USB ports and purchased a new ironing board cover (with fancy velcro holders underneath---no more loose string to tighten!!) and another new iron. He and the kids have been most patient with this little project of mine, collecting numerous packages from the mail carrier without complaint. 

I used to have to climb a step ladder and still stand on my tippy toes to reach the dryer plug to warm my lovely new Rowenta so my oldest has been helping me sans step ladder, of course---oh to be tall---but now I can reach the plug easily. The little things in life truly make all the difference.

I've enjoyed folding my fabrics for the cube storage and feel like they're really starting to come together. The Heather Ross 20th anniversary fabrics are just starting to arrive. I'm anxiously awaiting the big box and can hardly contain my excitement.

Happy Sewing,

Heather

Pincushion II Completed

The second pincushion came together quickly. It's a little wider than the first version but I think those initial dimensions work best (and BONUS, uses considerably less fill). It was definitely worth a try, though. This navy & creamy yellow one is going to a friend who sews that also plans to join in the applique lessons on the blog.

I threw a few more fabrics together to think about the combinations a day or two to make a third version or maybe five...they're fun to make, come together quickly and are so cute, I just can't help myself.

I hope you're planning to join us for some melon making. If you're planning to order from the Missouri Star Quilt Co., please do so soon. Delays are to be expected with the COVID restrictions and quilters are ordering in bulk while sheltering in lengthening those delays. 

If you'd like the fastest delivery possible, be sure to order precuts if you decide to order any fabrics. Yardage will cause a longer delay due to the additional time prepping, cutting, and folding before sending on for shipping.

Piece,
Heather

It's All About the Melons

Freezer paper (butcher paper), pencil, melon cutting template and
actual size template, scissors & charm fabrics.
NOT Pictured: Craft iron or standard iron, needles and thread

I'm gathering supplies for some upcoming hand applique tutorials. A few friends saw my FB updates and we started talking about the blog which led to some updates and A LOT of fabric purchases...then a couple more were looking for a hand sewing project so I thought why not try some basic melons to keep us learning and virtually connected over this quarantine? I know a friend in London will be joining us but I have readers from all over the world and as always, the more the merrier.

I'd love for you to join in the fun! If you're interested in purchasing the same template we'll be using, you can find it here: Missouri Star "small orange peel". You are welcome to use a different template, if you'd prefer. This one is designed specifically for 5" charm packs to make cutting simpler for beginners with no sewing or quilting experience. From the purchased template, I cut my own actual size templates, which I highly recommend. While you can buy template plastic that can be ironed, I don't. The least expensive option is perfect and will last a lifetime if stored properly. If you would prefer not to purchase template plastics at all, cardboard and heavy card stock both work quite well. In fact, I use heavy card stock myself when making a bunch of circles for a project.

We'll be looking at the freezer paper (butcher paper) method first. A large roll will last for years if you're careful to nest your shapes together, maximizing the surface area. If you do not have any 5" charms (5" x 5" squares), no worries, you can certainly use one large continuous piece of fabric or even scraps. Just be careful to use the bias regardless of fabric size to allow smooth seam tucking.

There are various methods for each type of applique but I'm planning to show what has worked best for me in the past based on some serious trial and error. Feel free to test out other techniques as we go and please share your experience with the group. I had no idea how to applique when I took on Dear Jane and would have benefitted from a few practice sessions, to say the least. My handwork evolved over the course of the blocks fairly quickly but other quilters take considerably longer. Don't compare your progress to other people, it's pointless; you'll get there with time and practice.

Full disclosure: I only hand sewed for decades and tried machine sewing some curtains and a few machine pieced blocks before taking on that DJ project. I truly enjoy handwork and find it relaxes me---getting back to it is good for my soul. I'm no purist though, if you want to machine applique and join us, please do. If you're feeling anxious these days, give handwork a chance to see if helps you find some inner peace & unwind.

Additional Applique Tutorials are available via the tab below the teal header.

All my best,
Heather

🦊 Foxglove is Here! 🦊

The Aneela Hoey Foxglove fabric line arrived and it is stunning!  Photos do not do it justice, truly. I cannot wait to place these lovelies in several upcoming projects.

The shop owner that sent the Foxglove line reminded me that I love people who are passionate about textiles and all things quilting. There was phenomenal conversation, immediate shipping and the fabrics were each lovingly folded identically demonstrating such wonderful care and attention to detail. Great service in this day and age needs to be celebrated.

Another package arrived, fabrics folded all willy nilly and a fat quarter pack still wrapped in shrink wrap plastic...more on that later. The sharp contrast between the two prompted this post. Please help support your favorite local and distant quilt shops. They're struggling to survive most of the time and COVID closures are the final nail in many of these small businesses. The quilting community will undoubtedly feel the losses soon as we're directed to a couple big box situations that won't meet our collective needs. I've gone so far as to call shops to purchase from them despite a lack of online presence. Every little bit really does help right now and owners are usually thrilled to take those orders temporarily.

All my best,
Heather

Pincushion Fun

I whipped up a pincushion for the sewing room refresh and managed to pick up a big bag of crushed walnuts at PetCo for $2.10 USD on clearance. Those of you lucky enough to have one nearby, make sure you go into the store because order online and curbside pick up listed it at $12.99, still less than some of the other pet supply shops nearby. I'll gladly keep $11 to wait in line a couple of minutes, wouldn't you? Crushed walnut bags are sold as reptile bedding if you aren't lucky enough to have one in your neighborhood.

I had bits of mask scraps in cute polka dot fabrics and didn't want to throw them in the scraps bin just yet. The teal came from an online scrap set and I've been eyeing it for a couple of days. Additionally, some of the Wonder Clips needed a home but I didn't want them flopping around from the weight. This appears to keep them in check. All in all, it was a quick whip up considering I had no pattern/directions.

The new phone takes some pretty good quality photos. Thank you for the terrific and unexpected gift!! ♡

Piece,

Heather

Oooops, I Forgot One!

I'm not sure how I managed to miss the Hello Petal couple of fabrics but I also came across some Foxglove today and snatched it right up. Yardage is so difficult to find in these fabrics since they're so popular...half yards are as good as it's going to get until the next line comes out. The poor letter carrier has just about had it with me lately, as you can imagine.

I had to resubmit some grades today and did not get into the sewing room as a result. Every change at the district level has another set of changes at the university...and so, tomorrow (fingers crossed) should be my last day besides the classroom clean out at the end of the month. The hope is to get into the sewing room by Friday at the latest and I cannot wait!!

All my best,
Heather

💖 It's an Aneela Hoey Kinda Day! 💖

Some of the long awaited Aneela Hoey fabrics and a very special book arrived today, joining the Stay Gold, Walk in the Woods, and Hello Petal goodies. 

The girl on a swing has a special place in my heart from her Sherbet Pips line. Munchkin was a little tiny helper when I found my first piece. She loved the pink hedgehogs included and I was thrilled with her attention to detail. All of this amazing designer's fabrics are fantastic for fussy cutters.

The doggies were a lucky find, all 3 backgrounds in one spot. There's some serious yardage in the spool print and I have some plans for those brewing, just a few more supplies needed before I put those to good use. The fabrics from the Little Apples line and possibly even some girl on a swing fabric will also come in to play. YAY!

Piece,
Heather

Surprise Fun Mail!

A lovely little package came to the door today. Nothing beats fun surprise mail! Thanks to my mom for thinking of me.

I've mailed out some fun mail packages to several spots including London this week to get some newbies started. If you're new to any of this and/or you'd like to encourage some quilters/piecers/applique beginners, please do so in the next couple of weeks and look to the blog for some itsy bitsy steps into the wonderful world of simple applique shapes for starters and then eventually piecing. I'm sending out 5" charms, mini sewing kits and some other basics. If you'd like a list, let me know and write up a quick post.

Piece,
Heather

More Goodies Arrive

My second order from the Fat Quarter Shop arrived and everything is lovely. There were a few more things on my list that I put off a bit because I knew the Heather Ross 20th Anniversary release was due any minute...those collectible fabrics were ordered as soon as the email popped up and should arrive in a couple weeks.

I finally finished grading for the high school and the university this afternoon. It feels good to have that off the to do list for sure. I may pick up a friend and visit my classroom tomorrow if all goes according to plan then back at the end of June or first week of July to tidy my room and get ready for fall, assuming we're heading back and not on virtual learning. Only time will tell. Here's to getting into the sewing room for zen by the weekend...I know I can't be the only one that needs some crafty time.
Piece,
Heather

Organization is Key

The new face mask caddy keeps me fairly organized and Clover Wonder Clips are the new must have.  The Bias Tape Making Kit is also well worth the splurge. I used to make bias by hand, and no surprise, it was my least favorite sewing-related activity. Not anymore! If you haven't purchased these tools and are making masks, do yourself a favor and make life a little easier.

Also, I did manage to organize the "shoe box" fat quarter storage and am fairly pleased with the results. Looking through them no longer makes my eye twitch. 😆 The second set in the stacked cubes has been combined with the shoe box to make more room for the 30s FQ sets...now there's room should a purchase or two come my way. 

Piece,

Heather