Yes, finally, I am off  to Williamsburg to teach at the Academy of Applique.  This will be my second year teaching after having attended as a student.  The kits are cut…the patterns are ready…but I haven’t packed any clothes yet.  That can wait til tonight

Our very first Applique Retreat is approaching very quickly.  The first Retreat filled up very quickly so I have booked another Retreat.  I have a few spots left and would love to have you join us for some stitching, eating and some much needed time just to relax…hopefully!  I can hardly wait!

Here are the details of the second Retreat.  If you are interest, please contact me right away….. Thanks to everyone who signed up for my first Applique Retreat which will be held in March at Fireside Retreat in Orillia.  The response was so positive that I have booked a second Retreat!  The dates for the second Retreat are April 20-22 (Friday-Sunday).  All meals will be included, starting with dinner on Friday night.  This Retreat is a perfect opportunity to learn the method I use for all of my applique projects.  It is also a perfect time to catch up on your own applique projects and to be inspired by other students. Your fee of $400.00 includes your accommodation, all meals, your project kit and pattern. I am limiting this class to 7, so if you are interested please contact me at burke.kerry@ymail.com

As part of your fee, you will receive the pattern and fabric for this lovely block, which I will be teaching at both Retreats, although there will also be time for you to work on your own projects.  This block is the first in a series I am having designed by Marilyn at MT Designs that will depict Canadian birds and flowers.  I must confess, I love this block!

That’s all for now…I really must go an pack some clothes…and my toothbrush:)

Til next time…

Kerry

It may look like there is a lot going on in Block 2 of Hugs and Kisses, a delightful quilt designed by Sue Garman.  But, really it is quite a simple block.  Trust me:)

First I added the brown stems.  As I mentioned in my last post, I am not marking the background.  Instead, I am gluing all the pieces in place in one shot!  Remember…when gluing stems, it is so much easier to place the dots of glue on the background and not the stem.

Next I added the large circles for the flowers.  Whenever I use a fabric with a directional print on it, I like to have all the prints going the same way.  Not sure why, I just do:)

I love to share this next tip whenever I can.  This step saves so much time and freezer paper.  I also mentioned that instead of tracing my templates, I am simply photocopying sections of the pattern onto freezer paper.

So I started with the outer circle and prepped it.  I removed the template and I cut off that part of the template. (Pictures below.) Then I was left with the next shape (the flower).  I prepped the flower and then cut it off and prepped the next shape (the medium circle).  I constructed all 4 flowers with just this one template.  Magical!

Next, I added the pretty brown flowers and the pink leaves.  Scrumptious!

Of course, I am doing my quilt this time in a different colourway.  Here is the block with the original fabric:)  If you are part of the Block of the Month doing this quilt, you will receive a Fabric Key in your kit so you will know which fabric goes where.

I also wanted to mention that some of these blocks, like Block 2, have many layers.  The large flowers on this block consists of 5 layers (including the background).  Since I am planning on hand-quilting this quilt, I have very carefully trimmed away some of the layers.  I am not a huge fan of doing this, but I am less a huge fan of trying to quilt through 5 layers of fabric!  You can see I didn’t trim out the back of the smaller flowers, just the larger flowers.

Til next time….

Kerry