Washing my finished block

Posted in Bruin, Hand-Applique Techniques, Ladies of the Sea, Sue Garman Pattern, Uncategorized, washing my block by Simple Bird Applique

Once I finished embroidering all the ropes with 2 strands of floss, I was ready to wash my block. I must mention at this point that I prewash all of my fabric in Synthrapol before I even think of putting it in a quilt. That way, the fabrics do not run in this washing process. Why do I wash my blocks? When I trace my pattern onto the background, I use a Clover water soluble marker and a Frixion marker. To prep my applique pieces, I use starch and Roxeann’s Glue. All of that stuff needs to be removed from the block before it can be stitched into a quilt. Oh….and did I mention the cat hair?

It was in a class with Pearl Pereira at the Applique Academy that I learned about washing blocks. By the way, have you seen Pearl’s new Block of the Month on her website? It’s called Forever Blooming and it is free! I have downloaded my patterns and I am raring to get started! I am also super excited to be attending this years TESAA! I will be taking classes with Rita Verroca and Sandra Leichner. Only 42 more sleeps!

So, this is how I wash my block. First, I check to make sure all the pieces are stitched down. You really don’t want this to happen!

Oops! Can you see that I did not stitch all of the bias pieces down? There are bias strips in between the leaves and they are not stitched yet.

They should look like this.

You only need a clean sink, some mild soap and a block.

First, fill the sink with hot water and add a bit of soap.

Now, place the block in the water. If this is the first time you are doing this, you are allowed to hold your breath and close your eyes! I usually let it soak for a couple of hours. No need to check on it, it’s not going anywhere!

Next, drain the water and rinse the block with clear water. Gently press some of the water out. I like to leave the block fairly wet.

I place the block out on a thick towel and smooth it out. From experience, I have found that leaving the block wet means less wrinkles when the block has finished drying. I like to pin the corners of the block to the towel, just to keep it as flat as possible.

Once the block is completely dry, I flip it over on the thick towel and press with a hot iron.

Presto!

Til next time…

Kerry

4Jan2014

I am no sailor!

Posted in Hand-Quilting Techniques, Ladies of the Sea, Sue Garman Pattern, Uncategorized by Simple Bird Applique

Although I spent 2 weeks last January on a sailboat, I do not consider myself a sailor! Almost every afternoon, our Captain and his wife would quiz us about the parts of the sailboat. We learned what the pulpit is, what the head is used for and what to do when someone yells “Grab the painter!” So, I was pleasantly surprised when I actually remembered the parts of the sailboat as I stitched the first block of Sue Garman’s “Ladies of the Sea”. For those of you who are not familiar with the basic parts of a sailboat, this should help!The sailboat on the first block is Canada’s own “Bluenose”, surrounded by a wreath of maple leaves. (Makes me proud to be a Canadian!) Although I prefer the starch and freezer paper method, I decided to do needleturn for the leaves.

Once the wreath was finished, I added the crown.

Now, on to the parts of the sailboat…the masts and boom are really skinny!

So, here is the mast, mainsail, the boom and the jib…

…and all the rest of the parts! I have only marked the rope lines with a Frixion marker. I am not sure if I will use 1 or two strands of embroidery floss to stitch them. I will figure that out tomorrow!

Til next time…

Kerry

30Dec2013

A Good Way to End the Year!

Posted in Friends of Baltimore, Hand-Applique Techniques, Sue Garman Pattern, Uncategorized by Simple Bird Applique

Yesterday was one of those days I dream of. I had the entire house to myself for the whole day!! Sure, I could have done lots of things, but I really wanted to end this year with a bang. I desperately wanted to finish putting all 16 blocks of Sue Garman’s “Friends of Baltimore” together, complete with all of those half-square triangles. So that is what I did!

First, I finished sewing all of the triangles together and then trimmed them to the correct size. You can read more about that here. It is a lot of work, but so worth it! Next, I stitched them together to make one long strip….

….crossed my fingers and started stitching.

So far, so good!

I did the exact same thing for the other side.

I thought I deserved a break, so I made a pot of tea, grabbed my Ipod and listened to some tunes in the hot-tub. (Remember…I had the day to myself!!)

When I came back in, I was raring to go, but my seat was occupied. Didn’t matter, I was pumped!

Finally! After many, many hours, all 16 blocks stitched together!

Cue the fireworks!

Til next year…

Kerry

23Dec2013

Stolen Moments

Posted in Friends of Baltimore, Uncategorized by Simple Bird Applique

Well…with all the Christmas stuff going on, the shopping, the baking, and the get-togethers, it is hard to find any time to stitch. So I am stealing every spare moment I can to finish the last block of “Friends of Baltimore”. Here is the anchor prepped and glued in place.

Next, I had to decide how I was going to do the chain. First, I prepped and stitched the outside edge of the chain and drew the inside lines with a Frixion marker.

Then, I did reverse applique for all those tiny little holes in the chain.

Yesterday, we had a major ice storm and so we were all housebound, with not much to do. So I dug out the last four blocks of Friends of Baltimore…..

…and washed them…

… and trimmed them down to the proper size. You can read more about that here.

Next, I started to stitch together more of the half-square triangles that make up the sashing in between the blocks.

Here are the last four blocks stitched together in a row. Spiffy!

Merry, Merry Christmas Everyone….

Kerry

16Dec2013

Moving Right Along!

Posted in Circle of Tulips, Friends of Baltimore, Hand-Applique Techniques, Hand-Quilting Techniques, Sue Garman Pattern, Uncategorized by Simple Bird Applique

I was very excited to start working on this block. First, I started on the right side of the wreath with a few flowers, leaves and buds.

Next, I added the left side.

And, finally, the bluebird!

I have been steadily hand-quilting on Circle of Tupils. I am pleased because it has that antique look I was going for. I love it when a plan comes together! The stencil that I have chosen for the border has me intrigued, so I am anxious to start it!

Til next time…..

Kerry

11Dec2013

Cutting and Pasting

Posted in Uncategorized by Simple Bird Applique

I am trying something a little different. My daughter, who I am making “Friends of Baltimore” for, has decided that she really didn’t want another cornucopia block in the quilt. She thought maybe something with an anchor would be nice. So I started looking through all of my Baltimore books and found a block which appears more than once in different quilts. The only problem is, I want it to have the same feel and look as all the other blocks. I did a bit of searching for clip-art type drawings of birds and anchors. I wanted the floral wreath to have the same flowers and leaves as the other blocks, so I “stole” the wreath from the block with the ship and the lyre and did my own form of cutting and pasting.

Next, I coloured it. It was like being back in kindergarten! This is a rough draught. I will probably add more flowers and petals to fill the wreath out a bit.

I really had intended to have some of the fabrics prepped and ready to show, however, I must confess I have become addicted to Downton Abbey. I have the DVD set of the first three seasons and I am spending way too much time glued to the TV, with nothing in my hands (except a bowl of popcorn!) I mean, I cannot take my eyes off the screen, in case I miss something. I have even asked my family to start addressing me as “M’Lady”, but it hasn’t caught on yet!

Til next time….

Kerry

9Dec2013

Show and Tell

Posted in Sunday Afternoon Applique Group, Uncategorized by Simple Bird Applique

My Sunday Afternoon Applique Group met yesterday and we were (once again!) delighted with some pretty awesome Show and Tell!

First, Kathy (with a K) showed her Kim McLean quilt that she started two years ago. Kathy chose to use solids for her backgrounds and a variety of black and whites for the appliques. Kathy brings new meaning to the word “creative”. So impressive!

Check out the sashing Kathy chose. It has colorful pins on a black background!

This is Helene’s version of Jo Morton’s “Prairie Flowers Encore”. Stunning!

Til next time…..

Kerry

5Dec2013

Just Play!

Posted in Annabelle, Hand-Applique Techniques, Uncategorized by Simple Bird Applique

I love starting a new quilt! I really have no business starting something new, when I should be starting the last (yipee!) block of Friends of Baltimore, but it’s what I do! The more quilts I have one the go, the happier I am. I believe that a body in motion stays in motion and creativity breeds creativity! So, this is what I did today….I played!

This quilt is called Annabelle. It is based on a quilt made by Ann Daggs in New York and dated 1818. This is my focus fabric. I think of choosing fabrics for a quilt like choosing actors for a movie. Only one fabric (or actor) can play the leading role.

And, no movie is complete without a supporting cast!

So, once I chose most of my fabrics, I started cutting, prepping and audtioning. At this stage, I just lay everything out on the paper pattern and play!

Once I “say yes to the dress”, I start to glue pieces onto the background.

I like to give myself lots of options. I have chosen 3 different fabrics for the leaves. I love them all!

Til next time…

Kerry

29Nov2013

The Sun is Shining!

Posted in Circle of Tulips, Friends of Baltimore, Hand-Quilting Tools, Ladies of the Sea, Sue Garman Pattern, Uncategorized by Simple Bird Applique

The sun is shining, so I ran to get my camera so I could finally take a picture of “Circle of Tulips”. I find the handquilting shows up really nicely in the bright sun! The only time I hand-quilt is in the evening. I like to sit down around 9 o’clock with a pot of tea and stitch the night away and contemplate life in general! You can download the pattern for “Circle of Tulips” on my website. It’s free! You can also check out the new video for the second installment of “Peggy’s Puzzle”.

Finally finished stitching the fruit bowl from Sue Garman’s “Friends of Baltimore”. This could possibly be one of my favourite blocks! One more block left!!

I used Ultra-Suede for the little frilly green things on the strawberries and blueberries. Ultra-Suede is a life-saver for these tiny, tiny pieces. I also love the little bit of texture that it gives.

I was going to wait til I completely finished the fruit bowl before I started Ladies of the Sea, but I couldn’t help myself. Curiosity got the better of me. I just wanted to see what the colours would look like against the background. Dandy!

Til next time…

Kerry

24Nov2013

Strawberries…who knew?!

Posted in Friends of Baltimore, Hand-Applique Techniques, Sue Garman Pattern, Uncategorized by Simple Bird Applique

Thanks, Gale, for the heads up!! Gale very kindly let me know that what I believed to be tomatoes are actually strawberries. Now that I think about it, I can’t remember the last time I saw tomatoes in a fruit basket! Onward and upward! I prepped the watermelon (pretty sure I nailed that one!) and the pineapple.

Next, I added a few pears and an apple.

Then, I filled in a few leaves.

Let me show you how I tackled those two-tone leaves. I love them because they are very effective! First, take a look at the pieces and determine which is the “bottom” piece and which is the “top” piece of the leaf. This photo is the “bottom” piece and it will be placed on the background first. Notice that the center is not prepped and how I angled the ends in toward the leaf.

The “top” piece is prepped all the way around the template.

So, now I place the “bottom” leaf on the background…

…and then the top.

This next area was particularly dicey, because there is so much green going on. I had to make sure that I used a variety of lights, mediums and darks, so that they did not all blend in together.