Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Exploring Something New and and Update!

As I shared in my last post, my Jo's Little Women's class last weekend had instruction around hand applique. I've only machine appliqued so I took loads of notes. The method Jan taught us is commonly referred to as Back Basting but Jan uses the term Perfect Placement. In this method, you don't cut out templates that are fussy or can get lost. The first thing to do is to pin your applique pattern face up to the background fabric which is also face up. Pining has it's own technique as you want to make sure the background fabric is pinned smoothly to the pattern without any "bubbles".
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We laid a sheet of tracing/transfer paper - we used Saral - underneath your background fabric facing the back of the fabric. We didn't pin this to the backing fabric because we wanted to move the transfer paper around as our pattern was bigger. We used a Sewline Tracer to trace the pattern onto the back of the fabric by following the lines on the paper pattern that we pinned to the background fabric. If you have not tried the Sewline Tracer, you must. It glides like butta! I used the ruler to make the lines for the stems straight and the template to make the circles more circular. I'm sure they won't end up that way though!
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Flip over your fabric and there is your pattern!
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This is as far as I've gotten so far as I'm waiting on my silk thread to back baste. I'm using Sherri's tip for that which I'll share with you when I give you an update.

I finally finished the next motif on Quakers and Quilts by Rosewood Manor. I'm stitching this on the called for fabric with the called for threads. The lower half of this project seems to be going much slower for me.
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I'm thinking of pulling out something new to start....something small. We'll see where I go on that. Something new is always fun!

I hope you're enjoying your week. I always appreciate your visits and comments and I enjoy visiting your blogs as well. Happy Stitches!

33 comments:

Simone de Klerk said...

OK, Jackie, now your technique looks very complicated. No idea what will come after this. Look forward to seeing it!
Lovely embroidery, those fine stitches! Lovely.
Have you found your new small project yet?

Annie said...

I guess that same technique would work for transferring a design to embroider, yes? You are always discovering great tools.

Quakers and Quilts is looking good. But it's fun to switch to something else for a while when you do those repetitive geometric patterns.

Margaret said...

Oh, nice tip on the applique! So then you're going to do back basting so that's why you traced the pattern --- sorry, talking to myself again! lol! Thanks for showing us!

Love your Quakers and Quilts -- it's wonderful!

valerie said...

How neat to have the pattern transferred to the fabric! It's a cute outline too.

Great progress on your Q&Q. Keep plugging along and you'll be done in no time!

Unknown said...

Wow, you are an ambitious lady...good luck with the applique techniques!

Love, love, love your finish...lovely indeed!

HAPPY STITCHIN'
Terri

Anonymous said...

Awesome! I love your design. Sounds so easy. Thanks for sharing. Love your stitching too.

Julia said...

I can't wait for the rest of the tutorial on the hand appliqueing. I wish I could make such perfect stitches as you do!

Sew Create It - Jane said...

Look forward to seeing more of your appliqué...promises to be a beautiful block.

Unknown said...

i never thought of using tracing paper.....hmmmm....i love your stitching, it looks great

Pat said...

I"m really interested in seeing how this back-basting/perfect placement applique is done. So far, your instructions are very clear!

Anonymous said...

That cross stitch pattern is so cute! I haven't cross stitched in ages... maybe I'll start up again sometime! :)

Anonymous said...

Okay....I'm curious to see what comes next so will be watching the progress.

Nancy said...

Have fun with your applique, and your stitching is really beautiful!

krayolakris said...

Sampler is looking great! I love the newer section.

Littlebit said...

You are definitely ambitious, Jackie! I feel like such a beginner when I look at your stuff.

Barb said...

Looking so forward to more tips, this is so interesting. Thanks...

Carol said...

Do go ahead and try a small finish, Jackie--it gives you such a feeling of instant gratification! Your Quakers and Quilts is so pretty :)

QuiltSue said...

I've heard of this applique method, but never really known how it's done, so I'm enjoying this and look forward to the next part.

Teresa said...

I have not heard of this tracer and I will definitely be checking it out!

FlourishingPalms said...

Back-basted applique is my very favorite hand applique method. I use a large needle and quilting thread to baste my pieces onto the background. That's to make the resulting fabric holes - when you remove the basting as you go - as large as possible. I will be very interested to see how you use the silk thread! Thanks for sharing.

Jodie said...

Ack hand applique is tricky! I took a class last winter and loved it, but it took a lot of patience! Your xstitch looks GREAT!

woolwoman said...

Looks like you are getting a lot out of your Jo's Little Women club - good for you ! Q&Q is looking great - I know how you feel - it's hard staying focused on a large project - maybe starting another project and putting Q&Q into rotation with it would help you keep it active and moving forward but also give you a break. Whatever you do - enjoy ! Mel

Lois said...

Your Quakers and Quilts is looking so nice! Lots of helpful info for the applique. I'm looking forward to seeing your progress.

Siobhán said...

Interesting new technique for the hand applique! I'll be interested to hear how you like it. Nice progress on the stitching!

JudiB said...

Oh my what detailed projects you are making. Love it. I wish my hands would allow me to do hand applique again. Can't wait to see how you make out. Have fun. Thanks for dropping in to my blog.
Judi B.

Micki said...

Thanks for all of the techniques and tips!
Micki

Robin (RsIslandCrafts) said...

I've never seen that technique so I am very interested for your next class to see what comes next.

Brigitte said...

Thanks for sharing this technique. It's always so interesting to read about quilting techniques and to see the tutorials.
Very nice progress on your WIP. I've put all my big projects aside and kitted up some small fall freebies - and so I'm slowly slowly getting my stitching mojo back.

Kim D. said...

Great technique, I've used this method for my children of the 30's girls.

Sparky said...

Ok Jackie this a great tip...help me out here but are you a guest for Stash yet?...I have a couple of Jackies sew I am not sure if you are one I have approached to consider being a guest...this would make for a great tut..among other things you could add..think about it..
thanks msamm

Anonymous said...

Finally some computer time and I was rewarded with your post:) Thanks for sharing the applique marking technique. I can see it coming in handy. I want one of those tracer tools too. Your stitching is so lovely. Congrats on getting so much accomplished.

Mylene said...

Quakers and Quilts is looking great and goodluck with the new technique.

Vals Quilting said...

is that 32 count or 64 count on your stitchery block it's amazing...
Valerie
http://www.PastimesOnline.ca/Vals-Quilting/