Thank Goodness for Google Translate!

 It was a lovely surprise this morning to see so many visitors to the blog. Thank you! 

Overnight, the US dropped to 4th place with Vietnam, Hong Kong and Brazil taking first, second and third place respectively. After the US, we have Indonesia, Argentina, Singapore, Ecuador, Mexico, Russia, South Korea, South Africa, Bangladesh, Columbia, Germany, India, Netherlands, Kazakhstan, Morocco and "Other".

UPDATE: Brazilians are now nearly half my viewers!! Welcome to my site. When I'm able to update my university lessons, I have some plans for this space that I think you'll enjoy. Please feel free to comment or reach out, I can always use translate, if needed. 

To the wonderful Alaskans that have popped up overnight, my oldest is working in your state as we speak. After this summer, he and his girlfriend plan to hike the PCT. I'm a little nervous about that with the national park workforce reductions, but what's a mom to do? Just so ya'll are aware, the continental US shows up as one destination, so I am unable to break down other visitors by state in the lower 48.

If your country is not showing up in blogger data, please let us know in the comment section. Family members are curious, and I love sharing stats when new spots appear. Whether you are new to the site, you've been here all along or you stop by occasionally, you are appreciated. I hope everyone finds something helpful and/or posts that bring you joy.  

I have purchased so much fabric over the years, I'm not sure where to even begin organizing and sharing photos with you. I have been buying LOTS of 30s of course, Tula Pink designs, Liberty of London Tana Lawn prints and some basic polka dots in addition to Heather Ross and Aneela Hoey fabrics. I'm thankful for the wonderful online options as all the local quilt shops have closed. 

1930s reproductions were very hard to find for a while but thanks to

 Judie Rothermel's Schoolhouse Quilt Shoppe and some Etsy sellers, they're available again. I'm buying larger pieces than I have in the past just in case they become difficult to find again. 

Happy Sewing,

Heather

Welcome!

Welcome new visitors & friends! It's so great to see that the blog is getting some traffic again. Whether you are new to applique, the Jane Stickle quilt (Dear Jane), are a fan of 30s reproduction fabrics, a modern quilter, a combination, or just browsing, I'm so glad you're here. I've been teaching, finishing two master's degrees, have changed jobs a couple times, and am considering going for a third master's. I've also had several surgeries on my wrists and forearms, making some of my quilting and embroidery challenging - but I'm determined to get back to my piecing and applique soon. While I've been on the mend, I have purchased several new 30s reproductions for the ever growing collection and several new cabinets to house them in.                                                                  

My daughter and I have been collecting Strawberry Shortcake vintage goodies for years and added the new re-releases from France, thanks to some incredibly kind online friends. You'll note that Strawberry has a sewing machine nook in the Berry Happy Home. It's behind the Brazilian brunette version in the picture on the left of the screen. While the pretend sewing machine makes me happy, my zen space, the real sewing room has been calling. I do hope that means once I get back to it, I can complete my Dear Jane between projects (and unfortunately, laundry!).

Thank you for taking the time to check in! 

Wishing you the very best, 

Heather

                                                     

Aneela Hoey Triple Pouches 2.0

On the very last day of my summer break, I've had a request for another 2 Triple Pouches (Pattern by Aneela Hoey). This time they'll be in a Pencil Club print and Essex Linen in a light gray. I'd have to look it up to give you the actual name but will gladly do so if you're interested. The plan is to keep art supplies in this set and school pencils/pens/markers in the other but plans are often subject to change. In any case, I'm happy someone is enjoying the Aneela Hoey patterns as much as I am. The second and third sets are going smooth as silk. :)

Happy Sewing,

Heather

 

Aneela Hoey's Triple Pouch #1 is Complete

Munchkin chose a couple fabrics for the first version of Aneela Hoey's Triple Pouch. It takes some time to complete and to be honest, probably wouldn't make them for anyone else. She's picked out some Pencil Pals & Essex combinations for the next couple. Now that I've made it through the first one, I think the next ones will go a little smoother (fingers crossed). Overall, I'm pleased with the results. 

I love Aneela Hoey's patterns but my sewing experience is limited, so I was doubting myself through the process. Plus, I naturally figure out patterns along the way and often come up with easier methods to complete it a second time. This one...not so much. I spoke with a generous Aneela fan who graciously encouraged me to keep at it, not to read ahead on the directions and to stop thinking my way through it. She assured me I'd be ok. This was also Aneela's advice lol but I guess I needed a little confidence booster. Thank you for your time and for being so kind to answer a late night plea from someone who clearly needed to take a break...which I did for a couple days.

Happy Sewing, 

Heather

               

♡ Another Aneela Hoey Applique To Go Bag ♡

 

 

Another Aneela Hoey amazing bag. Foxglove is such a gorgeous line, I'm excited that I purchased the last set of 1/2 yards available online. I still have quite a few of the other prints that could work for some more goodies. I know I said the last bag was my applique to go bag, but I think this may be perfect. 

This was my very first snap! 

Happy Sewing, Heather

                  

A New Pin Keep & Needle Book Completed

    

Isn't the print super cute?

I also opted for ties on this version to
keep everything inside & to vary the
fit for larger blocks and tools.

The print is from a set of Aneela Hoey blocks that I seriously considered embroidering over for this project...but time is of the essence, as I'll be back to prepping for school in a week. So, while I was on breaks during a virtual conference this week, I just decided to go for it. 

The new needle book/pin keep came

 together nicely and pretty quickly. I used the older tutorial as a basis and added a few bells and whistles since there will be a coordinated set of Aneela Hoey bags.  

I was just chatting with a few people about raw edge applique...but am trying to find some love for the technique and knew this kit would be around a while. Add a little ribbon and some small tool pockets and it's just about right.

Happy Handwork,

Heather

The To Go Bag Comes in Handy

The convertible was in need of some maintenance this weekend. Luckily, the new applique to go bag was in my tote with a new pack of Kona Ash 5" charms. I used my time to prep some more melons for back basting method using my actual size template and a regular pencil on the backside of the fabric pack. The 42 charms were finished quickly, which left plenty of time to make a couple new friends before the car was ready.

I'm terribly aware that I need to get my new eye glass prescription. As a result, the remaining prep is in limbo. So far, the Lizzy House Pearl Bracelet (and Mini Pearl Bracelets) are in the lead for the focus fabrics. I just love polka dots and think the irregular dots on the bias cut will have an interesting overall look. Of course, there's the gorgeous Aneela Hoey Foxglove line (OOOH AHHHH) and the super fun recent Heather Ross goodies, too. As you can see, there are some adorable options to consider.

Originally, I wanted to use just one focus fabric and who knows? Maybe that's what I'll end up doing. If so, I'm leaning towards the navy original Lizzy House pearl bracelet.

For those of you appliqueing along with us, if you're interested in using charm packs rather than cutting your own background fabrics, you can use the 5" charms or the larger 10" layer cakes. For the layer cakes, you'll need to plan on 4 (small template) melons per 10" piece. I'm sticking to the 5" charms so I don't have to think about my handwork to be honest. Each 5" charm can be set up the same way and becomes somewhat automatic as you get further along in the process. That autopilot handwork is what helps ease anxiety and lower blood pressure. 

The smaller size also allows you to move your melons around, which can be really helpful to those of you using directional prints and of course allows you to play around with the layouts. Do you want the Xs to be the same print and the Os to be mixed or would you rather have the Os the same color? Would you like just the petal look to show in rows? That's certainly an option, too. I don't usually know exactly what the final project will look like until I'm finished with the exception of Dear Jane...that planning is next level and I think that's why I'm just going with the flow on this project.

I have never attempted hand sewing blocks together but am certainly willing to give that a try if you are not planning to use a machine at any point. Please just let me know so I can research and get a tutorial together for you, if that's of interest. Also, if you're in Chicagoland and need a machine, I have several and am working on downsizing, thanks to the recent Viking purchase (YAY!).

If you're using the 5" charm packs for background fabrics, please check out the size list here.
For the 10" layer cake size backgrounds, see the counts per size here. Most of the sites say 2 packs for queen, up to 3 for King. Please keep in mind, you'll have to be careful with the planning of the layer cake size if you're using the "small" melons, less so if you purchase the larger Missouri Star template version.

As always, if you get stuck and need some assistance, please reach out and we'll get a video conference set up. Additional applique tutorials are available via the tab just beneath the header. 

Happy Applique,

Heather

Where in the World are RF Readers? The 2025 UPDATE

A lot of visitors' locations are included in the "other" category. If you don't see your country in the list, please add it to the comments below. My family enjoys discussing the expanding list of reader countries. I sincerely hope that you're enjoying the posts and tutorials.

Have a wonderful day,

Heather

APPLIQUE BASICS: Back Basting Method

 

Back basting method is simple and once prepped, can be completed pin free for on the go work. You'll begin by placing your actual size template on the backside of your background fabric and trace the melon shape. Pin your bias scrap to the front of the background fabric, focus fabric also facing up and pin in place temporarily. At this point, your melon shape is visible on the backside and if you flip over to the top side of the background fabric, the focus fabric should be facing out as well.

Flip back to the backside of your chosen background fabric where the melon tracing is. Using a contrasting thread and a larger embroidery type needle, begin a running stitch without any knots in your thread. Work your way around the shape on the line of sewing. You'll be using this as a guide for pinching the seam allowance soon.

 

Once you've worked your way around the melon and have no knots in your thread, switch to your applique thread and needle. Next, you'll mark the seam allowance of the full shape (add a 1/4" allowance to your actual size template if the original is not handy.

Now mark your bias piece of fabric with the full shape, cut the excess fabric, being careful not to cut through your background fabric.

 

 

When the melon shape plus seam allowance is cut and basted, remove the pins holding the two fabrics together. You will not need them moving forward for this block. 

You're now ready to begin to applique the melon shape. Remove 3-4 running (back basting) stitches from the center right of the shape. Finger press your seam allowance and start your line of sewing by pulling your applique thread through the back of the melon shape underneath the seam allowance. 

Stitch into the background fabric and then your shape, working your stitches around the shape as you have practiced previously. Carefully stitch your pointy points and practice sweeping the seam allowance as you move counterclockwise.