I like to put little embroidery motifs on the back of my girls’ T-Shirts – like this (see the second image). Last night I embroidered four at once – one for Miss P”s T-Shirt and I can store the others for the next project.
The designs are from Designs By Juju.
Filed under Applique, Machine Embroidery
I bought the Homespun magazine (not the current one but the previous issue) because it came with Inspired Machine Applique with Michele Hill DVD. I love doing applique, but I’ve never worked out the best way of attaching my shapes to the background fabric.
Michele’s (she’s the one on the left in the image) quilts are amazing; complex with lots of intricate looking shapes.
Here she is laying out her pieces …
She had quite a simple technique (probably hard when you try it yourself). She copied the design onto applique paper which she then ironed onto the wrong side of the fabric. Cut the shapes out (this is probably a bit tricky), removed the paper and ironed them onto the backing fabric.
She then stitched around the pieces using a blanket stitch an embroidery sewing thread (she prefers rayon).
She has a great method for stitching points – she simply stitches across the points.
I should point out that she would normally use a matching thread (she used the white to make it easier to see).
Michele had a really personable style and a really relaxed approach to the process. If you are at all interested in applique, I would recommend seeing this DVD.
Filed under Applique, Inspiration, Magazines, Quilting
I finally finished this quilt for Miss P.
I free-motion quilted the borders and sashing, stitched in the ditch around each block and did straight line quilting on the diagonals of each block (skipping the applique).
I managed to make this quilt entirely from my stash – I’m not sure if this is a good thing or not (at least it’s getting smaller).
I’m now looking around for a new project and I have a few ideas – one involves this fabric …
Filed under Applique, Machine Embroidery, Quilting
I’ve started quilting the alphabet quilt. I’ve decided to ‘stitch in the ditch’ around the blocks and free-motion the sashing and borders. I think it will be quite a while before I get this finished.
Filed under Applique, Machine Embroidery, Quilting
I finished the Alphabet Quilt top. In one of those bizarre quilting incidences it is bigger than I expected (bizarre because I know how big each individual bit is so I shouldn’t be surprised by the size of the top!).
I’m piecing the backing and I think I’m even going to piece the batting (this way I will not have bought anything for the this quilt).
Filed under Applique, Machine Embroidery, Quilting
I’ve made another baby present.
This time I stitched the hearts to the bodysuit by using a straight stitch and the same embroidery cotton as the satin stitch edging. In the past I have used an invisible thread and zigzagged, but I never really liked the invisible thread.
Filed under Applique, Machine Embroidery
I’ve made a baby present for a friend. The elephant design is from here (their service is fabulous).
Here is a closer look …
Filed under Applique, Machine Embroidery
I’ve started cutting my alphabet blocks. I used template plastic, which I’ve never used before, to fussy cut the squares.
At first I tried to use my rotary cutter, but that was a bit of a failure. Now I draw around the shape with a disappearing pen and then cut it out using scissors.
Filed under Applique, Machine Embroidery, Quilting
This is the spring block and is the last of the blocks to be made. I’ve enjoyed the embroidery process – there is something almost meditative about it.
Now I need to cut each block to size and decide on a border/sashing fabric. I’m determined to use something in my stash.
Filed under Applique, Machine Embroidery, Quilting
Autumn is finished – only Spring to go…
Filed under Applique, Machine Embroidery, Quilting
