Focus on Applique--Style

I also like experimentation and hate repetition. I think I may have solved the problem for making large quilt tops. It is a combination of doing many different blocks and making them all large blocks. If I had to make 90 or more of the same small block I'd go nuts, but 12 to

20 all different larger blocks is just fine by me. I doubt that I could make a queen size quilt with just one block pattern without getting bored with the project.

The hold up for not finishing the quilts I have is the lack of time to get them basted and ready for quilting. Machine quilting goes fast enough that I don't really mind that part at all. But the basting seems to take forever. Debra in VA See my quilts at

Some blocks are appliquéd, Debra. . In message , Debra writes

. Thats me, exactly! I''ve just finished piecing a quillow for DSisIL for Christmas. The small quilt bit I really found I had to make myself finish and it was only 6 snowball and 6 nine patch blocks. However the fabric colours were not really my taste which probably didn't help. However the pillow part I enjoyed despite the fabric - it is a snowball in the middle, with sashings and a surround of the bits I cut off the big snowballs. There won't be any piccies yet as I know she looks at my Webshots!

-- Sally at the Seaside ~~~~~~~~~~ (uk)

Doing all 3! Did both last year. It's a big help to have somebody just hand me a design to applique, no waffling about whether I like it or not. Just do it! Right now! Because there's another one coming soon! And you know, applique isn't so bad ;-) But I still much prefer piecing. (Thanks for the kind words.) Roberta in D

"Debra" schrieb im Newsbeitrag news: snipped-for-privacy@4ax.com...

The Dear Jane quilt has both appliqué and piecing in it. I started mine to practice hand appliqué in fact.

Now I am practicing my hand quilting on it.

Pati, > >

Wow you do all sorts of applique. Have you done any shadow quilting yet? Debra in VA See my quilts at

I really should answer my own questions in case anyone is interested. I like coloring book/cartoon style applique. I just prefer a less formal looking style, but it could be for the same reason that I still love to watch cartoons. I just like the look. I doubt I could finish a big Hawaiian quilt and I think I'd get a little frustrated with knotwork or stained glass. I'd love to do a realistic scene but I know I would get bogged down with all the details long before the sewing started. Someday I am going to have to try shadow quilting, but not just yet.

I doubt I could finish a quilt of a bunch of the exact same block because I would get bored with the project. However I don't have to worry about that since I can do a lot of different blocks and call it an applique sampler, or stick to a theme like all flowers, or do a BOM quilt.

Although I am doing the rctq BOM and I have only sewn the exact blocks so far, the last few months I have been tweaking the patterns a little. I've got pieces prepared for at least three blocks but no time to sew them to the background yet. I have made a few block designs of my own and liked the process, but I find it easier to alter an existing pattern to suit my desires. Somehow I find changing a pattern more fun than simply using it as is. I don't know why. Perhaps it is just the thrill of knowing no one else's is going to be exactly the same as my block even if we started with the same pattern. Debra in VA See my quilts at

I've got the gun. Love it. It just takes a long time to haul out and set up the quilt frame we use to get all the layers flat. We usually baste two quilts when we can. Mom and I have a hard time getting time together to do the basting though. Debra in VA See my quilts at

So it is that quilt with the ga-jillion little blocks? What a major undertaking that is. I'd never get all those blocks done. I saw one of the pieced ones being put together on the TV, such tiny pieces. Debra in VA See my quilts at

It sounds really cute. Debra in VA See my quilts at

Well - 169 + outside triangles. It's very forgiving as to time, Debra! I give mine extended 'holidays', and get back to it when I can. I only set out to do some, though, when I have a few weeks that I can devote to it, because I like to 'get in the mood' with it. I am not doing the whole thing - I'm finishing at 100 blocks, with no outside triangle (I have to keep it within a certain size, or I'd never be able to hang it). I'm also not doing a traditional colour scheme; but I like it and will be highly satisfied when it's finished. .

In message , Debra writes

No, I have not. Would love to see any you have done. Paulette in WV

I haven't done any yet myself. I am finding myself attracted to vibrant colors lately that would be perfect for the applique pieces, so I guess you could say I'm in the fabric collecting stage. I've got a purple, an orange, 2 greens, a yellow and 2 blues. Now I need a red or 2, and a pink, and the batiste. I'm thinking about doing something with flowers and birds. Debra in VA See my quilts at

I can just see a Jacobean bird of paradise! something like what Pat Campbell designs maybe?

A simplified one perhaps. I've got some Jacobean designs around here someplace and I might just use one of them. Not a Pat Campbell, but pretty none the less. Debra in VA See my quilts at

Keep an eye out for some of the old crewel embroidery transfers that can pop up in Op Shops or garage sales. The have some amazing designs, and if enlarged they make wonderful large applique panels.

I collect them and draw them into EQ5 for later use. Putting tham into EQ allows me to resize them and test colours in quilt layouts. Do you by any chance use EQ?

I don't have it yet. I am thinking about getting it for both me and my mom. I'm thinking it might be a good Yule present for Mom. Debra in VA See my quilts at

i heard rumours that EQ6 is coming out in the new yr early so might want to wait a bit on buying it to see if the new one is over the horizon. from EQ4 to EQ5 was a pretty big difference, i'd imagine same goes for the next upgrade. i'm waiting on EQ6. i've got EQ4 and for now its fine and dandy what i can do with it and i am not an expert by any means. its easy and fun and ever so useful for seeing what an idea in your head might look like made up. just thot i'd let ya know. :) cheers, jeanne

Debra wrote:

Actually EQ6 will be out in November or December.

I know they will be showing it at Houston...but whether it will be available for sale then is still questionable. KJ