Hugs and Kisses Almost Finished:)

Posted in Hand-Quilting Techniques, Hugs and Kisses, Uncategorized by Simple Bird Applique

Yesterday I had some time on my hands so I went into my sewing room and shut the door. I was on a mission:)

You may recall in my last post I explained how I wash my finished blocks. Once that step is complete, and the blocks are dry, it is time to trim the blocks to the correct size. Since these blocks finish at 12″ x 12″, I simply used my 12 1/2″ square ruler. I placed the ruler on top of the block and centered it. Take your time with this step. You don’t want to mess it up:)

Next, I carefully trimmed the excess fabric away. Easy Peasy!

The pattern calls for 20 appliqued cornerstones, which didn’t take nearly as long as I thought it would. I cut my sashings and away I went!

So far, so good!

Right now the quilt measures 52″ x 68″. Once the appliqued borders are on, it will measure 71″ x 87″. I am intending to hand quilt this beauty and I am excited to get started! So scrumptious…

“Hugs and Kisses” is a Block-of-the-Month that will begin in January 2018…that is just next month! Each month you will receive the pattern and fabric (same fabric as shown) so that you can complete one block a month. Also, as a bonus, I am including (free of charge) 5 spools of Mettler 60 weight to match the fabrics. You have until the end of December to sign up on the website. Also, for those that have asked, you are able to purchase a full set of patterns to stitch along with us, using your own fabrics. I am wondering what this quilt would took like in Civil War fabrics. Or browns and pinks. Or totally scrappy. I could go on and on!

Til next time…

Kerry

6Dec2017

Washing my Hugs and Kisses blocks

Posted in Hand-Applique Techniques, Hugs and Kisses, Sue Garman Pattern, Uncategorized by Simple Bird Applique

My goal was to have this quilt, Hugs and Kisses, finished by the end of the year. I am trying my best, really I am. I have finished stitching all 12 blocks. Yipee! Now it’s time to wash my blocks. For those of you who have been following my blog, you will already know the routine. For those of you who are new to the blog, this post is for you. After I finish each block, I toss it into a sink filled with hot water and a bit of soap. This step will remove the glue, the blue marking pencil and anything else that might be on your block. Cat hair, maybe? You will be amazed at how yucky the water looks once your block has soaked for a while. But before you toss your block into the sink, take a really good look at it and make sure every itty bitty piece is stitched in place. Trust me, this is an important step:)

Once the blocks have soaked for about half an hour, it’s time to rinse them under the tap to remove the suds. Then gently squeeze the block to remove the excess water. Your block should be fairly wet, but not dripping.

Next, lay the block out on a thick towel to air dry. Easy Peasy!

Hugs and Kisses (designed by Sue Garman) is a Block of the Month that will start in January. The blocks are fairly simple so this is a good quilt for a beginner. I think this quilt is an excellent example of a quilt made up of simple blocks, but looks rather stunning when all the blocks are assembled. Mind you, there are appliqued cornerstones and a swag border to follow. Yes, stunning is a good word to describe this quilt.

Til next time….

Kerry

14Nov2017

Another Block Almost Finished!

Posted in Uncategorized by Simple Bird Applique

I have making very steady progress on my “Hugs and Kisses”, a quilt designed by Sue Garman. I have chosen this quilt because it is a good example of a quilt made of very simple shapes, yet appears more difficult than it really is. Trust me!

All of the shapes are symmetrical, so that means I don’t have to trace a thing. I am simply photocopying the pattern onto freezer paper to make my templates. It is that easy.

Also, I am not tracing the pattern onto the background. I am placing the background on top of the pattern and gluing all the shapes onto it before I take a single stitch. Very efficient.

First, I started with the stems that I made using a 1/4″ bias maker.

Next, I added some leaves.

Then I prepped the large and small flowers. This fabric is directional so I made sure the grids are all going the same way. It’s all about the details!

Next I prepped the yellow flower centers and glued them in place. As you can see, I don’t clip right to the freezer paper. And I only clipped once in each curve and never on an outer curve.

I prepped these pieces and glued them in place.

Sweet!

Freezer paper templates can be re-used many times. So when I am doing units that have more than one layer, I trim away the outer layer (in this case, the orange circle) and use the template again (in this case, the yellow flower). Saves time and freezer paper:)

So here is the (almost) finished block. Now I can go make a pot of tea and stitch the day away. “Hugs and Kisses” is a Block of the Month that will start in January. Each month for 12 months you will receive the pattern and fabrics to create all 12 super-simple blocks and the swag border. Details are on the website.

Speaking of stitching the day away, I have become addicted to hand stitching these 60 degree diamonds together. I am not sure what I am going to do with them, but does that matter?

Til next time…

Kerry

31Oct2017

Dates for Second Applique Retreat!

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

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 and class notes. What is the project you ask? I am having a block designed specifically for this Retreat and it is still in the works:) I know you will love it! I am limiting this class to 6, so if you are interested please contact me at burke.kerry@ymail.com

Today is the last day to sign up for Friends of Baltimore/Baltimore Squared. If this quilt is on your To-Do List, then it’s time to get started. Details are on the website.

I have been stitching away on my 60 degree diamonds (and loving every minute)! There is something so addictive about hand-piecing, isn’t there? If you haven’t tried Inklingo yet, give it a go. You will be impressed. In a nutshell, Inklingo allows you to print the cutting lines and the stitching lines on the back of the fabric. Easy Peasy!

Too much fun!

I am making really good progress on Hugs and Kisses, a new BOM designed by Sue Garman that I am launching in January. My goal is to have my quilt top finished by January. I love a challenge:) I have 5 and a half blocks finished. Sweet! The details are on the website.