A Winning Combination! Cone flowers, fabulous fabric and perfect thread

More fun than a barrel of monkeys - that is how the saying goes...

You see I've been preparing for an upcoming Needle Turn Applique Workshop (more on that later) and wanted to stitch-up a sample for the shop display.
Now what to stitch ?

I looked through my needle turn UFO's and was inspired by a Cone Flower (Echinacea) that was part of a larger block in Blackbird Designs "Quilting the Garden" book.

You remember ? This one...

You can see more images of my "Quilting the Garden" blocks by clicking here.

After scouring the internet (and peeking in my own back yard) I proceeded to draw a "new to me" version of the cone flower.  I added a couple of leaves that would enable me to teach inner and outer points (basically -- I made them up!!) and....

Viola!  Meet my new mini - perfect for teaching basic Needle Turn Applique techniques.

Here's where the barrel of monkeys come into play...  This little guy so much fun to prepare.

1.  Needle Turn Applique - Oh it felt so good to be back in the groove.

I chose fabrics from my stash of  Blackbird Designs Chelsea Boutique for Moda.  It's always hard to part with these precious fabric swatches...  The Chelsea Boutique line is, by far, one of my favorite...

Also, I had loads of fun choosing just the right Aurifil 50Wt Mako Cotton thread for my needle turn hand work.  Aurifil 50Wt is very similar in thickness to a Mettler 60Wt thread and works perfectly for Needle Turn applique.   Here is an image from my Instagram feed that shows the fabric and thread selection in-process - sew much fun!!

{Appliqué Tip} Pulling scraps and threads to stitch a simple design for an upcoming Needle Turn Appliqué Workshop... 50wt Aurifil Mako Cotton disappears into your fabric for perfect appliqué stitches ❤️ thank you @alexveronelli -- How about these @blackbirdalma and @minickandsimpson Moda fabrics?! Oldies but goodies - thank you ladies ❤️ Swoon! ❤️️ #showmethemoda #aurifil #modafabrics #minickandsimpson #blackbirddesigns #chelseaboutiquefabric #aurilove #auriho #aurifilthreadsnob #needleturnapplique #redbirdquiltcoworkshop #threadmatters

A photo posted by Karen L Miller (@redbirdquiltco) on Aug 23, 2015 at 12:49pm PDT

You can learn more about my Needle Turn technique by checking out my free blog tutorial "Teardrops of Love - a Needle Turn Applique Tutorial".  I share my favorite tools along with detailed and illustrated steps outlining my technique for creating beautiful applique. Read and see for yourself at this link.  Teardrops of Love Tutorial  I would LOVE to get your feedback.

As indicated in the tutorial, I use a plastic or freezer paper template to cut out and mark the needle turn line on the right side of the fabric.  If possible, I'll use a soapstone pencil to mark the design -- otherwise SewLine Leads work very well.  I also use my Clover Hera Marker to score the turn line so it folds under easier.  (More details in the Teardrops of Love Tutorial).

next I thread or pin baste my pieces onto the background and use Aurifil 50Wt Mako Cotton thread and Jeana Kimball's Foxglove Cottage Size 10 or 11 Straw Needles to stitch them down.

Here is an image from my Instagram account that shows the front and back of the needle turn.  It's been a few months since I've stitched -- so the stitches are a little inconsistent.  

But just like Free Motion Quilting, the more you practice, the better you get.

Showing front and back {stitches} of my needleturn appliqué coneflower 🌺 Needleturn appliqué is similar to free motion quilting in several ways. 1. Practice 2. Practice 3. Practice 4. The right tools and thread make such a difference ❤️ My stitches aren't always this tiny (less than 1/8th of an inch) but I was a bit out of practice 😜 Happy Saturday all - what are you stitching today? #needleturnapplique #handwork #handapplique #threadmatters #aurifil #showmethemoda #jeanakimballneedles #aurilove #coneflower #stitching #stitches #applique #chelseaboutiquefabric #blackbirddesigns

A photo posted by Karen L Miller (@redbirdquiltco) on Aug 29, 2015 at 9:20am PDT

Once the applique is stitched, I used the Hera Marker to "score" or crease the fabric at 1" on-point lines across the quilt background.  These are used a reference marks for the continuous curve or Orange Peel quilting (coming up in a few steps).

The next fun monkey in this barrel was....

2.  Free Motion Quilting Feathers - I Love, Love, Love to quilt feathers

Oh my goodness feathers are fun!!  I wasn't quite sure how to quilt this mini but I decided to stitch some feathers and I'm so happy I did!!  Whenever I free motion quilt feathers on my domestic machine, I mark the feather spine with a blue water/air soluble pen -- you can also use a Hera Marker (by Clover) or Sew Line leads to mark the feather spine.   This is what it looks like after I've marked the spine.

Now that all my marking is complete, I layer the quilt top, batting and backing and pin baste the mini.  Because I really wanted the quilting to show, I used two layers of Quilter's Dream - Dream Wool batting.  I love how wool quilts...  If you've not tried it you should give it a go!

Before I get started stitching I gather all my 50Wt Aurifil thread to determine which color will work best.  I try to use a color that will complement the background fabric.  Always unwind the thread from the spool to test it against the background fabric.   On the first go-round I misjudged the color match and needed to rip out a bit of feather.  I recovered nicely and switched to Aurifil color #2314 for a perfect match.  
To stitch the feathers, I start at the bottom of the spine stitching bump back feathers up the right side of the spine and adding a top pearl.  Next, I travel (stitch) down the spine and begin again, stitching bump back feathers up the left side of the spine.  It's so rewarding to create feathers.  Even if they are not perfect they are pretty.   In this case I also echo stitched the cone flower and stem/leaves...

Here are a couple progress shots:

Oops - sorry for the image color changes.  Some images were taken using my machine lighting and some were taken using full spectrum lighting.  Rest assured this background fabric is beautiful no matter how you light it.

     3.  Free Motion Quilting an Orange Peel Design - a simple motif that provides so much texture

Moving on to the remainder of the quilting.... I had already marked the background fabric with 1" on-point grid lines (See image above).  I continued using Aurifil 50Wt #2314 to stitch continuous curves on the background fabric, crossing over at the grid intersections.  I stitched one direction and then back in the opposite direction, moved to the next line in the border and repeated.  

 Once I had enough lines stitched on one axis, I stitched a few on the other axis.  It came together wonderfully.

I've recorded a couple of video's for stitching the continuous curve (Orange Peel Grid design) on a domestic machine.  

You can view them on my YouTube Channel here:  Karen's Redbird Quilt Co YouTube Channel   

The one difference is that on the Cone Flower Mini I only marked the grid design, I did not stitch it.

4.  A New to Me Flanged/Piped Machine Binding - wow - fast, simple and really pretty.

And last but not least in the barrel of monkeys was this neat new Flanged/Piped MACHINE binding.

I watched a couple of different tutorials for this binding and then tweaked things to meet my requirements.  Initially I was going to add some actual rope piping, but I decided to take baby steps instead.

Here are the steps and measurements that worked for me.   If you're interested in a real tutorial with images, please leave me a message in the comments and I'll pop that out to My Tutorials page.

1. Choose a primary binding color (rose) - and an accent/piping/flange color (teal).

2. Cut the primary color (rose) 1 & 7/16" wide (by WOF for number of strips necessary)

3. Cut the accent/piping/flange color 1 & 3/4" wide (by WOF for number of strips necessary)

4. Piece the WOF strips of each color into the correct length with mitered (or diagonal) joints to help cut down on bulk.

5. With the single length of the primary (rose) and the same length of the accent (teal), sew them together with a 1/4" seam allowance (long edges).  I'll refer to this is the binding.

6. Now fold the binding in half, wrong sides together (TIP: Press wrong sides together with a steam iron, avoiding pressing the actual fold (I didn't want to flatten the fold of the accent color). Pressing  will help keep the binding raw edges aligned.

7. Next, align the binding raw edges - PRIMARY COLOR DOWN with the edge of the trimmed quilt ON THE BACK SIDE and stitch in place with a 1/4" seam allowance.  NOTE: This is being attached to the back, not the front of the quilt.  Follow the standard process for attaching a binding to a quilt sandwich, folding for mitered corners as you go.

8. NOTE: When I get a 1/4" from the corner, I always stop and stitch a 45 degree line to the corner of the quilt before turning and continuing to stitch from the top.  This helps give a really neat finished mitered corner.

9. NOTE: A few months ago I learned how to Miter finish binding and I just love it.  If you aren't sure how to do this, check out this Lisa Bongean/Fat Quarter shop video -- remember though, this is just how I miter finish the binding (good stuff around the 2:00 minute mark).

10. Next, finger press the finished binding to the front of the quilt, smoothing the seam that you just stitched.   I avoid pressing at this point because I don't like to press my wool batting.   So finger press the batting from the back to the front and be sure the wrap is firm against the raw edge.

11. Use Clover Wonder Clips to secure the wrapped binding in place on the front of the quilt - being careful to fold and secure crisp mitered corners.

12. Now to stitch the binding to the front of the quilt....

12a. Use a 90/14 needle with a complementary color Aurifil 12Wt thread on top and 50wt in the bobbin.

12b. If you have one, use a walking or even feed foot on your machine.

12c. Start stitching with a small stitch length (to lock your stitches) and increase the stitch length to 3.0 or a good "top stitch" length for your machine.

12d.  Stitch just outside of the primary/accent color ditch with the Aurifil 12Wt thread all the way around the perimeter of the top of the binding.   It came out wonderfully -- I really LOVE how it looks, front and back!!

The back:

{Machine Binding Tip} Don't hide your stitches in the ditch -- Top stitch that binding with Aurifil Mako Cotton 12Wt and let your stitches shine! ⭐️ My first attempt at machine binding with a flange/piping and I ❤️ how it looks ❤️ The Cone Flower project was done start to finish with Aurifil thread - 50Wt Needleturn Appliqué, Piecing and Free Morion Quilting - and a lovely 12Wt to Top Stitch the binding... PS - maybe twin needles the next time? Oh so pretty! ❤️❤️❤️ #aurifil #aurilove #machinebinding #topstitch #freemotionquiltingonadomestic #aurifilthreadsnob #auriho #redbirdquiltcoworkshop #quiltbinding #flangedbinding #pipedbinding #showmethemoda #threadmatters

A photo posted by Karen L Miller (@redbirdquiltco) on Sep 1, 2015 at 1:48pm PDT

Here's a full shot of the front:

And a full shot of the back with folded hanging sleeve corners included.

And no new quilt is complete unless we've taken a picture on the dock:

Many thanks to Aurifil Thread, Moda/United Notions Fabrics and Quilter's Dream batting for their awesome products.  I just love it when a plan comes together -- and it really was more fun than a barrel of monkeys.

I would love to hear your feedback - would you like a step by step image tutorial of the binding or any other part of the project ?

Oh - one last thing: I'll be using this mini in my latest workshop, Needle Turn Applique - a Techniques Workshop.  I'll be teaching it for the first time in Arcade, NY at Creekside Fabrics, Quilts and Yarns on October 3rd.

To learn more about my upcoming events - visit my Facebook Events page.   No Signon Required.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Be sure to visit me on
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Join our Facebook
 Free Motion Quilting Frenzy groupand/or
Follow Redbird Quilt Co on InstagramI post all sorts of fun things there!!
Plus
I share quilting related
videos on my YouTube*
I'm on Pinterest, Twitterand I share other tutorials and patterns
on My Tutorials (above) and
on  The Moda Bake Shopand on my Craftsy page...

Happy Quilting!!
Karen

Chevron with a Twist Winners - Plus!

"Thank you" just doesn't seem a sufficient way to express my gratitude for the sweet comments you shared about Chevron with a Twist!    I really appreciate your feedback.  Thank you so much -- you sure know how to put a smile on my face. 

Image courtesy Junelily.com

and...  Before we get to the lucky Aurifil Thread winners - know that, as promised, there are upcoming posts to outline the quilting details for Chevron with a Twist and show how I used the awesome QP Curve Templates by Linda Hrcka from The Quilted Pineapple to quilt it.  Trust me, there's an awesome giveaway that goes along with that post -- so do stand-by for that.    If you're wondering what Chevron with a Twist is -- you can click here to see the introductory post.

On a separate note:

Later today I'll be sharing the stage with some wonderfully talented ladies and participating in a blog hop for Wendy Sheppard's book "Recreating Antique Quilts".   Woohoo!!

Be sure to stop back -- you'll be thrilled to see a book giveaway and a new wool applique quilt that I prepared from Wendy's Ivory Baltimore Wall Hanging design.  That's later today.

**

Now... what do you say we announce some Aurifil thread winners !   Many, many thanks to the great team of folks at Aurifil - they are always so generous with their products - sharing two cases of thread for me to giveaway during this celebration. #aurilove

It's easy for me to support and brag about Aurifil - their thread is great for piecing (it allows your seams to press nice and flat), it's great for hand work like needle turn applique (it doesn't twist and knot and melts into the fabric) and it's awesome for free motion quilting on a domestic machine.  I just love it...  I know you will too.

So.... Winner #1 goes home with 12 large spools of Aurifil thread from the Quilted in Honor collection:

 Random Number generator choose #79

 Comment #79 is:

Congratulations Material Girl - I'll send you an email Tuesday so we can celebrate your thread win!!

Next winner receives 10 small spools of Aurifil thread in the "I Can Fly - Citrus" collection by Mark Lipinski.

Mr. Random Generator choose:

 Comment #173 is:

Congratulation Di!!   I'll drop you an email later today so we can get this package in the mail to you!!  

Many thanks again Aurifil for the awesome giveaway.

To see the complete free tutorial for Chevron with a Twist -- visit it on the Moda Bake Shop.

Have a blessed day!
Karen

Little Wool Flower Tutorial with Giveaway

Call me delinquent on the wool flower tutorial and serve me up 50 lashes with a wet noodle!! 

Life (and grandkids, and work, and holidays, and shopping) definitely jumped in front of me the last 10 days and stole my time.   I am though, up for air, and happy to be back!  

Many thanks for all the kind comments
and feedback on the 

Moda Bake Shop Heart's Content Pillow.  

I loved putting that sweet pillow together
and sharing it with everyone!

I hope you find 100 different ways to use the pattern AND the tutorial.  If you missed it, you can read the introduction on my blog here and follow links or go to the Moda Bake shop recipe directly by clicking here.

Now to share a quick (well as quick as I can be ;) tutorial for the little wool flowers that adorned the Heart's Content pillow.
The flowers are really very basic and will probably work best if you use your own style - but I'll share with you how I put them together. 

Supplies:

• Start with some quality wool.  I used Bunny Hill Designs Pastel Wools and sliced them into 1/4" by 8" strips (longer is ok too).
• You'll also need some scraps of the pastel wools for flower accents.
• A few buttons, nothing fancy (although fancy flower buttons would look sweet!)
• Some good quality thread - I used Aurifil Mako Cotton 12 Wt thread - it never lets me down.  You could also use Aurifil Lana Wool or Aurifil Floss.
• You'll need a scrap of freezer paper to prepare some small wool accents
• You'll also need a good needle - I use Bohin Crewel/Embroidery Needles in Size 5 (my fav)
• It's always helpful if you have a pair of serrated edge scissors (Elan are my fav but I hear that Karen K. Buckley's Perfect Scissors are fantastic too)

Start by cutting one or two strips of each of the pastel wool colors.

I used a rotary cutter and ruler to cut mine about 1/4" wide by whatever length wool you have.
If you need more wool than a single strip provides, just cut more!

Lets make the pink flower for the tutorial sample:

Supplies for the pink flower:

Lets start by making the looped section of the flower.  Thread and knot a 12" length of thread.

Aurifil Mako 12Wt in color #2375 matched the Bunny Hill Bright Pink wool perfectly.  

Now fold over one edge of the wool, making about a 1" loop.  Stitch up through the double layer and back down again.

Make another loop, it doesn't matter if it twists.  Stitch up through all layers and back down again. 

If you want to secure it in a certain position, take another stay stitch to hold the loop at the desired location.

Keep looping and stitching until you're happy with the placement and fullness of the flower.   When you're satisfied, take a couple of short stitches on the bottom side of the flower to secure / knot.

Now, lets prepare some "greens" to be stitched behind the pink loops.

My looped section worked out to be appx 2" in diameter.  So I targeted the same size for the greens.

I marked a 2" square on freezer paper and drew a circle within it.

I cut out around the circle leaving at least a 1/4" extra outside of the pencil line.

 Place the rough cut freezer paper onto the wool (shiny side down) and press using a medium heat, dry iron. 

Hold the iron still for 5-8 seconds or until the freezer paper sticks to the wool. 

NOTE: Use care to NOT burn the wool (an iron that is too hot could burn the wool fibers).

Using serrated edge scissors (they work best because they don't push the wool), cut on the drawn circle.  Leave the freezer paper attached for now.

Once the circle is cut out, trim some V's into the circle all the way around.  You can see I marked mine with a pencil before beginning.  This is not required, but OK if it makes you more comfortable.

Here is an image with the larger V's cut out.

Next cut out some more V's all the way around.  Again it really doesn't matter exactly where or how deep you cut.  It will be beautiful!

Once you've finished the 2nd round of V's, you can remove the freezer paper and you have created one background green.  I used two on my pink flower - just to make it more full.   Prepare a 2nd green if you so desire.

(The color is really off on the picture below - my apologies).  

OK, now stitch the green background to the bottom of your looped flower.  Just take two stitches through all layers to secure.  Add a 2nd green background if you like.

Once you've stitched your 2nd green, flip the flower, add a button and secure it in place with a few stitches.  Knot the thread on the back side of the flower and leave thread attached so you can use it to secure the flower to the pillow.

Now that you've made the pink flower, the others are pretty much the same, except I choose to use a variety of colors and add top accents rather than greens.   

On the multicolored flower below,  I snipped (on an angle) the pale pink loops when I was done stitching.  That gave it a neat look.

On the blue and yellow flower I left a long tail and used a pink accent on top.
It's so cute.

Make more flowers if you like -- be creative and have fun!
Attach the flowers to the pillow with the excess thread.

Speaking of having fun -- how about a giveaway?
*
I have several strips of Bunny Hill Wool remnants leftover for one lucky reader.
*
These strips are about 4" wide and roughly 8" to 12" in length.  They would work perfectly for making wool flowers.

To enter the giveaway, leave a comment below letting me know what quilting project you are currently working on.   Are you a no-reply blogger?  If so, please leave an email address too!

For an extra (optional) entry, hop over to the Redbird Quilt Co Facebook page and share the Redbird Quilt Co wool flower tutorial announcement with your Facebook friends.  Be sure to 'Like' and leave a comment on the Facebook post letting me know you shared. 

The giveaway is open until 11pm EST Sunday, December 7th and a a winner will be announced Monday, December 8th.

I leave you with a beautiful picture that my very talented sister Michele took just this morning at her country home in Pennsylvania, USA. 

A Northern Cardinal, our favorite bird and a reminder that Mom is always watching over us.

Enjoy!

Image Courtesy Michele Morningstar aka my very talented sister!

Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs,

Karen

PS - don't forget, you can follow me on Pinterest and Instragram and Twitter too!