Saturday I attended my first Stitchers Garden BOM classs at one of my LQS. I elected to take this class because I've never done applique before and the class is designed to get your to learn about the features and decorative stitches on your machine. The pre-class assignment was sewing the grid on the background. At the end of class, I was just beyond this point and had pressed on the applique pieces to the background.
When I came home, I thought I'd better practice just a bit before I started actually working on my block.
I have never used blanket stitch before. The 2 other machines I own do not have it. Those inside corners are pesky. As you can see, I got one right and one is way wrong.
Then I took a deep breath and loaded up my block and started veeery slowly.I have found that for me it's better to slow it down.
Not perfect (see the stray stitch on the leaf corner?) but better than I originally anticipated! I was supposed to use a decorative stitch on the leaves but I forgot. This block has framing to be sewn around it too so it's not yet completely done.
Close up on one of the flowers.
Now I feel somewhat confident to try the applique block on my $5 quilt! I have the pieced background ready to go and will probably work on it this week. I can't say how much I enjoy taking classes. Not only does it take the uncertainty and frustration out of learning something new but I am getting to know other quilters. Tons of fun!Today is Presidents Day here in the US. As I work for a bank, I have the day off and hope to spend some time doing the things I love to do in between a hair cut, laundry, etc. We're also seeing some sunshine today!!! I'm not sure it could get any better!
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35 comments:
I love your applique flowers! I'm amazed that a machine does the blanket stitch.
Have a fun day off doing what you love!
I like the stitch in the middle of flower. What a fun pattern. I like applique as well. I don't always slow down enough and it doesn't turn out as I'd like but slowly I'm learning.
Very nice! So what's the stuff you put on the back of the pieces to be appliqued?? Looks shiny. I'd love to learn to machine applique! But first I need a good sewing machine. lol!
OH Jackie, totally amazing and gorgeous! You are so talented and inspiring :)
Hugs
Ma
Love your funky flowers Jackie - I think you did a marvelous job on your first attempt at applique. We are so lucky that we have choices in class offerings in our area in quilting and knitting and other crafts I'm sure. Lucky dog with your holiday - my body was wishing for one this am but I'm at my desk reading blogs and pretending that I am enjoying a holiday too ! Enjoy it Mel
Love your new learning experience----it is so much fun. I too am liking this sunshine today.Your doing so much and enjoy day off. Hugs, Marie
your have dont a great job. It is nice to have a day off isnt it, especially since our weather has finally shown us some sunshine.
Your applique looks very pretty. You seem to quickly learn every technique when you take classes......and your results are always so nice! Enjoy your day off today.
Your applique looks great, Jackie! I love taking classes too...I almost always learn just as much from the people sitting around me as I do from the actual class! Enjoy your day off!
Have a terrific day! The flowers look great!
How nice that you have a day off to do what you wish. Here, there's more snow, blowing snow, and poor travel conditions, so it's best to stay at home. More purging and organizing for me.
Your applique is great. You're doing a wonderful job, and I hope you're finding it fun to do. You'll soon be thinking of all the stuff you can applique. Enjoy!
Nice job! Just think homw many more projects you can put on your to do list now!!!
I think your applique is just wonderful. I love the decorative stitch in the middle of the one flower - so pretty. Have a great holiday and don't work to hard!!
Jackie - you did fantastic on your block. Don't worry about those pesky corners - soon you'll learn how to maneuver your machine so you hit that corner every time - just takes a little bit of practice. Love the stitch you used around the center of the flower.
Your aplique looks amazing Jackie! I know how hard is to aplique circles and your looks great! I like that project!
Happy sewing!
Lovely applique work! You are a pro already.
Your applique looks like you've been doing it for years, Jackie! Great job...
And how nice to have a day off--wish libraries would close on these special days!
Your work amazes me everytime! You are always using a new skill, and it always looks like something you've been doing for years. I cannot for the life of me understand the precision with which you work!
Great job on your first applique...love the detailed stitch on the center of the flowers.
What a wonderful job....I sure wish I could take classes instead of having to learn from the school of hard knocks!!
Hello Jackie,
Thanks for posting on my blog and letting me discover yours. Yes, bunnies love the snow. They prefer cool weather to hot weather and just love to play in the snow. I will check out your blog to see all of your creations. Ali/Shogun in Michigan!
That is GORGEOUS!!! I love the specialty stitch on the flower.
You did a great job on it.
For a first Applique it looks beautiful! Great job!!
Your applique is brilliant. Are you sure you haven't done it before?
Your applique is lovely!
Your apploique is just incredible! I love flowers and yours were stitched so beautifully!
Micki
Very beautiful. You did a wonderful job, you can't even see the mistake. We are often our own worst critics!
I think we are our own worst critics. If you hadn't mentioned the stray stitch I wouldn't have gone looking for it. Since I didn't find it I have to say you did a beautiful job (I would have said it even if I had found the stitch, it is beautiful)
Your applique looks wondeful. Love it. And adore those cinnamon sticks. Too cute.
Wow...you did a wonderful job on the applique! I'm impressed! Applique has never been "my thing," but all of a sudden, I find myself wanting to do it. I've done it by hand, but am going to learn machine applique like you did. Any tips?
Your applique block looks fantastic. My machine has got that stitch, too, but I haven't tried it so far as I'm not that much into quilting right now. But your were doing really great. I also love the decorative stitch around the flower's centre piece.
Your applique is beautiful! I've never seen a blanket stitch from a machine before . . . interesting.
I really enjoyed your post about the triangle explosion. Looks like fun!
Your block looks terrific! I struggle every time with machine appliqueing!!! I think just going to try needle turn instead...
Looks like you have learned to applique extremely well, looks so good. I do hand applique but haven't done much of it for quite a long time.
Wow, your applique looks wonderful! It's hard to believe it's your first attempt. I bet it is fun to take classes to learn these techniques. I wish there were classes where I live.
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