Finished September BOMs!!

Carole, I'm wondering - I studied your appliqués and they look great. I suppose you're meaning they're no pleasure. Could it be that the fabrics you're using are contrary? Try something a little more easy-going, a heart pretty well has both the challenges of inside and outside points but I don't mean shape. You might enjoy a fabric that is finely woven but soft. Some fabrics are going to have pokeys come Hell or high water and some are just too stiff to curve gracefully. It may not be your skill that's troubling you, it just may be the fabric. I attempted some garland borders that fought with me every stitch of the way. It is now located in the Swamp landfill. Polly

"Carole-Retired and Loving It" wrote in message news: snipped-for-privacy@4ax.com...

LOL You have a wonderful way with words Polly

Hi to everyone doing this BOM thingy. (And anyone just lurking)

Carole is doing a great job with her blocks I've enjoyed seeing them coming along and can't wait to see the final quilt. Just wondering where everyone else's is/are? Just curious that's all... no nudging ;) honest. Elly

"Carole-Retired and Loving It" wrote in message news: snipped-for-privacy@4ax.com...

Thank you kindly, Elly. I was hoping to remind Carole that appliqué can be a real joy but some fabrics take all the fun out of it. Polly

You're right, Miz Polly. They're NO pleasure. They look reasonably okay when they're finished, if you don't look too closely. I don't like doing the tiny stitching, and I worry GREATLY that those inner angles are going to fray the first time the quilt gets washed. I'd feel better if these were for a wall hanging but this is a bed quilt that will be used.

I'm stuck with the fabrics for this quilt, since they're chosen and bought and are what this quilt is going to made of.

This time I tried starting with Ami Simms' method of invisible applique. I've been trying different things to see what works best for me. I love this method for straight and gently curved edges and even points, but the inner angles and curves are still a challenge.

So far I've had the best luck just putting two fabrics right side together, machine sewing around the design, clipping, slitting the backing, and turning the whole thing inside out. Then that gets stitched into place. After doing three oak leaves and the acorn Ami's way, I did the other three this way. This is less nervewracking but leaves a little more bulk, even though I cut most of the backing away.

I don't like the "basting and/or ironing to freezer paper" way, or the "glue stick" way. I've had good success with fusibles and machine satin stitching, but that wasn't the look I wanted for this quilt.

So, I'll keep at it and maybe it will get easier!

Carole D. - Retired and loving it in the foothills of NW Georgia

My quilts, crafts, QIs, and more -

Carole D. - Retired and loving it in the foothills of NW Georgia

My quilts, crafts, QIs, and more -

You're good! I've done the pieced block, halfway through the PP. Roberta in D

"Carole-Retired and Loving It" schrieb im Newsbeitrag news: snipped-for-privacy@4ax.com...

Carole D. - Retired and loving it in the foothills of NW Georgia

My quilts, crafts, QIs, and more -

Couple of things I've found about appliqué: Inside cut-aways have always been the hardest for me, and Leslie (of Furbaby fame) game me a good tip - to sew the stitch just before and just after the innermost point ordinarily, according to your method, but at the point itself to do one or two chain stitches (as in embroidery chain stitch). It really seems to anchor it nicely. The other thing I found myself was do to with the angle of the weave: I expect most people cut down into the inside point with the point of the scissors going more or less down the middle of the angle. The most often cuts the fabric so that it leaves lots of cut ends and fray opportunities. One day, I cut down into the corner between two threads, regardless of the angle. This meant that there is hardly anything to fray. Sometimes you can't get close enough, but it usually seemed to work. . In message , Carole-Retired and Loving It writes

I can assume my thread would need to match really, really well to do that.

I actually did that in a couple of places where I could, but some of the places were so tiny that it was difficult. Also, it's just plain hard to see! I wear bifocals and they're fine for most things, but even with my Ott light, it's hard to see those tiny details.

Thanks for the hints! I figure there are eight more months of blocks to do, so I'll get a lot more practice. This meant that there is hardly anything to Carole D. - Retired and loving it in the foothills of NW Georgia

My quilts, crafts, QIs, and more -

Oh, joy. Just what I need. EXTRA practice blocks. I think I fancy applique patterns that avoid all inner angles and have long lines that are straight or slightly curved!!!

Really, the way I have this planned for 36 blocks, I won't need a single extra block at all. :)

Carole D. - Retired and loving it in the foothills of NW Georgia

My quilts, crafts, QIs, and more -

Carole D. - Retired and loving it in the foothills of NW Georgia

My quilts, crafts, QIs, and more -

I should have mentioned that I use a magnifying glass for doing that fiddly cutting. Sorry Carole. And, yes, the thread would need to match well. But, remember (something I've had to consider when I'm doing miniatures), when you are doing some really close work like appliqué in awkward spots, you are focussing very hard on a very tiny area. When you let your eyes get back to normal focussing, what might not have looked any good in the micro-view stage, will look just fine. Also, if you have never used silk thread for appliqué, have a little try. IT is just wonderful.

In message , Carole-Retired and Loving It writes

I have to be honest Elly, I am saving them for later.

I saved them last year as well and the year before I did do the top.

I try not to have too many tops in the 'waiting' pile. I do have 3 at the moment and I am in the process of quilting a quilt for my great nephew.

I did finish DD braid top ( queen size) before starting on the quilting that way I don't have to swap feet around all the time.

It will get done but Not this week.

Dee in Oz