It was a rainy day…..

Posted in Bouquet For a New Day, Hand-Applique Techniques, Sue Garman Pattern, Uncategorized by Simple Bird Applique

There is something about a a rainy day that makes me want to put on a pot of coffee and stay indoors and stitch! And that it exactly what I did!

I wanted to finish the 9th block from Sue Garman’s “Bouquets for a New Day”. So I chose fabrics for the vase and stitched them in place.

I love the touch of embroidery on this block! The sprigs of Baby’s Breath consists of many, many Colonial knots.

Here is the finished block!

Since I was on a bit of a roll (and it was still raining), I decided to start the next block!

First I stitched the star in place.

The leaves and vine pieces are one unit and a little tricky to prep. I ironed the freezer paper to the wrong side of the leaf fabric.

Then I cut around each unit leaving a scant 1/4″ seam allowance.

Using starch and a mini iron, I pressed the seam allowance in place. The deep curves are a little challenging…but still doable! (See below.)

I removed the freezer paper then glued all the pieces in place on the background. They are now ready to stitch in place!

Even though I am not finished all 12 blocks, I started sewing the quilt top together. As usual, Bruin had other plans for the blocks!

doable/ˈdo͞oəbəl/

Within one’s powers; feasible: “none of the jobs were fun, but they were doable”.

Til next time……

Kerry

21Aug2012

Stitching at the cottage

Posted in Amy's Quilt, Friends of Baltimore, Sue Garman Pattern, Uncategorized by Simple Bird Applique

You know the feeling when you are just about to finish a really good book? Part of you wants desperately to finish the book …another part of you wishes it would never end…because you will never enjoy a book as much as you did this one?

Well! That is exactly how I feel about Amy’s quilt. I am soooooo close to finishing, but I know I am taking my time because I have loved working on this quilt every step of the way. I am sad to see this journey come to an end!

I found the perfect place to stitch at the cottage! Tons of natural light and amazing scenery to keep me inspired!

I stitched and I stitched and then I stitched some more. Finally I finished all of the hand-quilting!

Once the label and binding are in place, then I will be Officially Finished!

I also had a chance to finish the latest block of Sue Garman’s “Friends of Baltimore”….last night at midnight!

I gave the block a bath…..

……and then pressed it this morning!

Til next time…..

Kerry

7Aug2012

Friends of Baltimore…next block

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

What is wrong with this picture? Well…let’s see!!

First of all it is 31 degrees! The quilt that I am working on has a wool batting in it! Oh….and the cat has decided it’s time to snuggle! It’s just way too hot to hand-quilt today.

So I decided to switch gears until it cools down a bit. I am making steady progress on the next block of Sue Garman’s “Friends of Baltimore”. First the leaves….and then the nuts…….and a couple of flowers!

……and then the twisted vines! They were fun!

And now the bird!

My favourite method of applique is the freezer paper and starch method, especially on a section like the tail feathers. Every piece has to fit exactly.

The seam allowance is pressed over the freezer paper pattern. The freezer paper is then removed and the seam allowance is turned under, ready to stitch! A few dabs of glue will hold the piece in place on the background.

The tail feathers are now ready to stitch in place!

Til next time…….

Kerry

20Jun2012

Steady progress….

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

I have never considered myself a stalker! Well, that is, until I discovered Sue Garman and her amazing, amazing quilts!

I had heard of Sue Garman, but it was not until I saw an ad in a quilt magazine for her Block- of- the- Month, “Ladies of the Sea”, that my jaw hit the floor! I was awestruck. I had to meet her! I emailed her and asked her how she stays motivated. She gave me the best advice….only work on quilts that you absolutely love, not sort of love, not kind of love….just absolutely love!

I absolutely love Friends of Baltimore (another one of Sue’s BOMs) so it is easy to stay motivated!

I was lucky enough to meet Sue Garman a couple of years later at Quilt Market. I told her I was her biggest fan and she giggled! I wonder if she knows how much of an inspiration she is?

The fuchsias on this block are actually dimensional which makes the block interesting.

Here is how you make them..

Make 2 circles using the 1 1/4″ Perfect Circle. Use a light and dark fabric and make sure you use matching thread.

Fold one of the circles in towards you and pinch with your fingers.

Take the second circle and fold it around the first circle.

Take a few stitches to hold the petals in place.

Thread an embroidery needle with a couple strands of embroidery floss. I used yellow. Knot the thread and stitch through the back to the opening at the top of the flower. The knots will be on the back of this unit. Cut the thread an inch or two from the flower. Repeat this step a couple of times.