Tutorial : Hand applique

I love to do hand work. For one thing it is very portable. Today's tutorial is hand applique.  Every one has a different techniques they prefer to use. I will be sharing how I like to do hand applique  and what works best for me.


SUPPLIES:

Hand sewing needles. I use the embroidery size. I use as small as needle as I can.
Embroidery Floss:
I use DMC floss, mostly because I can get it easily and I have a bunch that was given to me.
Fusible Web: I usually use wonder under. It is what works best for me.  I have not had good luck with heat n bond.


PREPARING THE FABRIC :
I always prewash my fabric.  All fabric has a sizing on it. Your fusible Web won't bond well if you don't prewash. Also, don't use fabric softener.

I cut at piece of fabric, bigger than the applique. Only about an inch bigger. Especially on my small pieces. Then I cut my fusible Web the same size as the fabric.  Then I fuse the two together. Your fusible Web is going to have a paper backing. Make sure the side that does not have the paper backing is next to the fabric. You want the paper backing next to the iron. Otherwise, you might have a big mess on your iron. Ask me how I know. Once the fabric and fusible webbing are fused, then you can cut your pattern out. To do this, I pin the pattern piece on and just cut around it.

HOW TO DO THE APPLIQUE :
To start I separate my floss and use 2 strands. I thread a needle and tie a knot in one end. I take my applique and choose a starting point. I come up through my background fabric very close to the edge of my applique. Then I stick my needle through the top of the applique, about a 1/4" from the edge, then I go down at the edge of the applique. ALWAYS keep the floss under the needle and it should fall to the right of the needle. I space my stitches about 1/4" apart.

To end my stitching, because I have finished a section, or need more floss, I put my needle down through the fabric at the top of my last stitch and flip my work over and tie it off.

What color floss do I want to use:
It depends what look you want. I usually use matching floss.

Sometimes I will use a contrasting thread:

OR sometimes I will use a shade or two darker.

I hope you will give hand applique a try. I love it. It is something that is easy to take no matter where you go.

May challenge Island Batik Ambassador part 1

The Challenge for May for the Island Batik Ambassadors is really a challenge for me. It is Modern May.

I am more of a traditional quilter, so this has been interesting for me. I started by researching the elements of modern quilts. One of those elements is negative space.

Once I researched the elements of modern quilting, I started looking for patterns. In all honesty, I am still confused.  But, I may be overthinking it. So, I turned to a magazine I had picked up called Modern Patchwork.  I figured if it said modern, it would be helpful.  I found a few patterns that I liked, but I choose this one called "Yellow on a Gray Day".

Instead of using yellows and grays, I have chosen to use some purples from the Drizzle collection, Daffodil from the basics, the gray is from the Merry and Bright collection and the white is from the neutrals collection.

Okay, now we can get started cutting. But, wait. I don't have the right size ruler. This pattern uses a ruler called the "recs tool". I have the right ruler, but not the right size. So, I figure it is just 2" smaller, I can make it work. This ruler makes 1/2 rectangles.

With my ruler being small I know I will have smaller blocks, but that is okay. I can make a smaller quilt or add more blocks. That is the best thing about quilting, you can change the size.

After I get the pieces all cut, then I chain piece. I love chain piecing as it goes really fast.

Then, when I  get quite a few done, I start laying them out. I try to make sure that I don't have 2 of the same fabrics touching.  So I take a picture to double check everything. Then I find that I may end up playing switcheroo with my blocks. Once they are all laid out, then I can start sewing the rows together.

I have a few of the colors touching where they don't need to be. 

This has been a very fun quilt to work on. I can't wait to get it all together and start the quilting.

I will be back with part 2 soon, and share the quilting I am doing with you all.

Thanks for reading.