Meet and Greet - National Quilting Weekend - Aurifil Giveaway!

Hello friends and welcome to
Meet and Greet Stitchers Around the World blog hop!   Many thanks to Mdm Samm @ Sew We Stitch for hosting this lovely event.  To see a complete list of participants, drool over some beautiful stitching, and checkout the blogging giveaways, click the button below.  

This first day of Spring AND start of the 2015 National Quilting Weekend I'm excited to share a #slowstitching post AND a fantastic giveaway including Aurifil thread and my latest Wooly Wren pattern.

If you're a current follower, you know that I LOVE to use Aurifil 50Wt Cotton thread for dense machine quilting -- but today I'll share projects that work perfectly with 6 strand AuriFloss and Aurifil 12Wt and 28Wt Mercerized cotton threads. 

I just LOVE to hand stitch with Aurifil floss and thread.  

Image Courtesy Aurifil.com

For those of you that are new to my blog, Welcome!   I'm Karen Miller, chief cook, bottle washer,  blogger, designer, editor, pattern maker, and welcome committee for Karen's Quilts, Crows and Cardinals blog and Redbird Quit Co.

I've sewn for most of my life but became obsessed with quilting about 8 years ago when my sister Janet invited me to join her in a $1 block of the month at a Local Quilt Shop. So thankful to have my sister as my mentor, cheerleader and support system while I learned the art of quilting.

Although I enjoyed learning to piece, I really started having fun when I took my first applique class from the very talented Sharon Stroud in Upstate NY.  Oh My - I fell in love with needle turn applique!!

This is my first applique project, "Dancing Flowers", a Sharon Stroud design that includes needle-turn applique, reverse applique, ruched flowers, berries, bias stems - just all sorts of applique fun!  What a great learning adventure with a wonderfully skilled and patient teacher.

Once I realized how much I loved applique, I branched out and took two different Wool Applique classes from the very talented Debbie Wick.

This is my version of "Folk Art Melody" - design by Lori Smith - a wool on wool wall quilt.

It was fun to customize this block to incorporate a Redbird.   Love this!

 

When you're hand stitching wool applique, 1 strand of Aurifil 12 Wt Cotton thread works perfectly to for the blanket or overhand stitch.  The mercerized cotton has a pretty sheen to it and stitches without knotting or twisting.    It's really FUN!!

My 2nd Wool applique class and quilt was "Flower Baskets" by Wooden Spool Designs.  Here is one of the sweet blocks of this pretty wall hanging -- there were 6 blocks in all.

You can see more Folk Art Melody and Flower Baskets by clicking here.

 

One more wool applique class, this time from the designer herself, Kim Diehl.   This is my revised version of Kim's "Penny Garland" pattern.  We revised the center from a 9 patch to a circular design - I love the way it came out.

Kim came to Material Rewards in Upstate NY and a few of us traveled to attend her trunk show (swoon) and Penny Garland class... You can find the Penny Garland pattern published in Kim's latest book "Simple Appeal". Of all the wool applique projects I've completed, this one is my favorite -- well, at least so far ;)

I love the texture of wool applique with dense quilting around it. I used wool batting on this piece and, once quilted, makes the wool applique just POP.   You can read more about Penny Garland Revised by clicking here.

Penny Garland is another great project where you can use 2 or 3 strands of Aurifloss, 2 strands of Aurifil 28Wt Cotton or 1 strand of Aurifil 12 Wt Cotton.  I've done some comparison of Aurifil 12Wt cotton with other 12Wt embroidery thread and found the Aurifil to stitch with less twists and knots.  I also just LOVE the sheen that the Aurifil cotton has -- it looks beautiful on my wool applique.

In 2012 I started Karen's Quilts, Crows and Cardinals blog and in 2014 Redbird Quilt Co where I released my first wool applique pattern, Spring Basket:

Spring Basket is an 11" x 13" half-moon WOOL on Cotton Mini-Quilt.  It is so much fun to work-up because you don't need to turn-under wool that is felted or fulled - just cut and sew!!    It uses very simple embroidery stitches and, with the addition of a little wren, looks just so sweet on an entrance or end table.  I really enjoyed using both AuriFloss and Aurifil 28 Wt Cotton on this piece.  Sew much fun!

Spring Basket can be stitched on a dark background with Big Stitch quilting (above). or you can use a background that is lighter and brighter and with dense machine quilting... Here's a sample:

You guessed it... Aurifil Mako Cotton 50 Wt thread for dense machine quilting.  Minimal buildup, breaks, and lint - love that thread!! 

You can see other completed Spring Basket quilts on this Pinterest board.   

You can find Spring Basket for sale in PDF form at my Craftsy Store -- or locally, in printed form, at Quilters Corner in Ithaca, NY.

Stay tuned for another Wool Applique design by Redbird Quilt Co -- Wooly Wren -- on Craftsy soon!

I really enjoy the process of designing and hand stitching wool on cotton quilts.   I also LOVE sharing detailed tutorials with the quilting community (See my Free Moda Bake Shop Recipes by clicking here -- and be sure to check out the "My Tutorials" tab my blog header). 

My latest Moda Bake Shop recipe "Chevron with a Twist" shows you how to make a Faux Ruched flower with just a few gathering and tack stitches.... you can see that recipe here:

Finally -- I not only love to hand stitch, but I consider myself a BIG advocate of teaching others to Free Motion Quilt on their domestic machines. 

Be sure to Read my last blog post -- where I demonstrate how to use The QP Curved Templates to stitch curved crosshatching on your domestic machine! 

Note:  On that blog post, there is an Active Giveaway for a complete set of QP Curved Templates, courtesy Linda Hrcka of the Quilted Pineapple.  

Click -->  The QP Curve Template Giveaway Open through midnight 3/28/15.

Whew!!  Now that was a bunch of information - hopefully some of it was helpful and/or inspirational to you. 

Since it is International Quilting Weekend we need to celebrate!!

The wonderfully generous Aurifil thread company donated a beautiful 12 spool thread collection for one lucky winner.   This collection of Bari J Splendor 1920 12 Weight threads are perfect for cross stitch, embroidery or any wool applique project!!    These 12 large spools will be a wonderful addition to someone's stitching stash.   Just look at those colors, aren't they beautiful ??

To read more about the very talented Bari J Ackerman click here.

 

To go along with this lovely set of threads, the same winner will receive a PDF version of my soon to be released pattern "Wooly Wren".  The BariJ threads will work perfectly with this spring wall hanging.

 

 The Giveaway:

This giveaway will remain open until midnight on the last day of 

National Quilting Month

March 31st, 2015

For one entry:

I would love for you to follow me on at least one of my social media outlets:

Facebook 

Instagram 

Twitter

Pinterest

Blog:  Karen's Quilts, Crows and Cardinals

Patterns: Redbird Quilt Co Craftsy Store

Leave a comment below letting me know which one you follow - if you follow more than one - let me know that in the same comment.  (Don't forget your email address).

For a 2nd chance to win - lets show our Giveaway Sponsor some thanks!

Jump over to the Aurifil Facebook page or Twitter account and share the love - tell them Redbird Quilt Co sent you -- If you don't have one of those accounts, consider following Aurifil's blog here.

Be sure to leave me a comment and let me know what you did to gain that 2nd chance (Don't forget your email)

If you haven't already, be sure to get in on the QP Curve Templates Giveaway - click => here

That's it -- Again I want to thank Mdm Samm for the awesome blog hop and I do hope everyone has  fun getting to know all the talented stitchers that participated - click button below for the list!

Have a great stitching weekend all -- and many thanks for stopping by

Hugs,

Karen

Teardrops of Love - a needle turn applique tutorial - Part 1: Tools

Hi all -- today I'm thrilled to share Part I of Teardrops of Love - a needle turn applique tutorial.

I've had many comments and questions on my needle turn applique so in hopes of getting others to give it a try I've decided to write a multi-part tutorial on the topic.  My goal is to get others to fall in love with Needle Turn Applique as I have.

Before we dive into the details of Part 1, I would like to give special thanks to the two ladies from whom I learned Needle Turn Applique.  One of my very first quilting classes was a two day Hand Applique Retreat by Sharon Stroud (Click here for Sharon's Blog - She's out of her mind!).  Amongst many other things, Sharon is the author of "Dresden Plates of Distinction" published by AQS. I was fortunate to attend Sharon's Hand Applique retreat which focused on her Dancing Flowers design.  Sharon shares a wealth of information in this class -- I highly recommend taking any class from her. 

Below is a picture of my Dancing Flowers flimsy (I have yet to complete it -- but I do have a plan - you can see it here). 

After a year of playing with Needle Turn applique I took another class at a different QS from instructor Debbie Wick.  Debbie taught "Winter Apple" by Blackbird Designs.  Debbie's method of needle turn is slightly different than Sharon's but the end results are just as beautiful.  Again I would highly recommend taking any class from Debbie. One of Debbie's beautiful cotton and wool applique designs was recently published in the Winter edition of Primitive Quilts and Projects Magazine.  You can visit Debbie's blog here.  Below is an image of one of my Winter Apple Pomegranates as taught and kitted by Debbie Wick:

Both of these special ladies have helped shape my quilting life -- I'm grateful to have learned from them. I cherish their skill, patience and guidance and I owe them a ton of credit.  They both have so much to offer to their students that I highly recommend you take a class with them if you're in the area.  Thanks again Sharon and Debbie.

Now, onto Part 1 of Teardrops of Love:  Tools  - a few of my favorite things

Fabric:  

Always, always, always use quilt shop quality fabric for hand applique.  Good fabric frays less and is easier to manage - not to mention how well it washes and wears.  Please consider that you're putting many hours into an heirloom piece that you want to last forever and ever.  In my opinion, high quality fabric is the only way to go. 

For this tutorial you'll use a fat quarter of a neutral background fabric and some 5x5 inch scraps of fabric -- I used one of my favorite French General Charm packs.

Marking Tools:

Always be sure that whatever you mark your fabric with washes, brushes, irons, or erases out without damaging the fabric.  I have had very good luck with the following tools:

1. Soapstone - works great on darker colors, highly visible, brushes away -  find at Joann Fabric
2. Sewline Fabric Pencils with Ceramic Leads - pink and yellow are my favorite - pink works great on lighter colors too
3. Prismacolor Verithin pencils - metallic grey works great on light or dark fabrics
4. Clover Hera Marker - for an extra "edge" before or after marking

We will talk more about the use of these tools in Part 2: Marking, Cutting and Basting Shapes

Basting & Cutting Tools:

You've probably heard me say this before -- I try to avoid glue and glue based products on my cotton and wool applique pieces.  So I'll avoid talking about them here and focus on what I do use:

1. YLI Basting and Bobbin Thread - my favorite - it's inexpensive, works through fabric easily and will break and tear away if necessary
2. Clover Applique Pins -- they are short and sweet -- great to tack your applique for basting or use for basting in a pinch
3. Elan 4 inch Embroidery Scissors - they have serrated edges on them so your fabric won't slip while being trimmed -- I LOVE them !

Template Tools:

1. Quilters Freezer Paper in 8.5 x 11 inch sheets works great for smaller designs and will feed through a printer if your pattern provides an electronic image.  If you have a large applique design you may use Reynolds Freezer paper or larger sheets of Quilters Freezer Paper.

2. Template Plastic -- if your applique has shapes that repeat often (like leaves or berries or flower petals that are re-used throughout your design), you may want to consider using template plastic.   I use Dritz and have sheets that are heat resistant and some that are not.

Sewing Tools:

Ahhh -- we're getting to the meat and potatoes now...

1. Thread: <NOTE - This tutorial series was written before Aurifil announced their 80wt/2ply thread.  You need only use it once to realize it is the best choice for needle turn applique. >  I began my needle turn learning adventure using one of Mettler 60Wt/3ply fine embroidery thread or Aurifil Mako Cotton 50wt/2ply thread and match your applique colors.  Both worked very well.  I've tried others and let me say this: you'll be happy to go back to one of these if you try others ;)   
2. Needles:  I've used a few different needles but I always seem to come back to John James Sharps Size 11.  Remember with these needles the lower the number the smaller the needle. Use the smallest size needle that you can handle comfortably.  I've used smaller ones in the past but I sometimes get cramps in my hands while sewing -- the JJ size 11 Sharps work best for me.
3. Needle Threader -- "Ultra Fine Threader" - - I know there are "automatic" ones in the market place, but these little devils work great, they are easy to transport and use!   Seems my eyes have more trouble each year getting those small threads into the small eyes of the needles.  The Ultra Fine Threader works like a charm.

 

Optional Tools:

These tools can be a little pricey when you're first getting started -- so ease into purchasing them when you can spare the $$.  I would recommend that you do plan to get them as they will make your applique experience more enjoyable.

1. Dritz Quilter's 3-Way Sandboard:  this board helps hold your fabric in place while it's being marked.  Without the sandboard it's more likely that your fabric will get a little wonky while your marking it (it may stretch and loose its shape).

2.  June Tailor Quilter's Cut 'n Press 1:  This small board has an ironing surface on one side and a cutting surface on the other.  It is perfect to rest your applique on while you are stitching.

Thanks so much for sticking with me as I ramble on about my favorite tools!     I will talk about the use of these tools in subsequent parts of this tutorial.  In the meantime, if you have any questions please leave me a comment or send me a message.

Stay tuned next week for Teardrops of Love Part 2: Marking, Cutting, and Basting Shapes.

Have a wonderful week all -- I leave you with one of my most favorite front yard Cardinal photos:

 

Hugs,

Karen

PS. As soon as I figure out how to do it I will attach a PDF version of the Tutorial Sections on my sidebar.  Thanks for your patience.

Applique Thursday - Dancing Flower Dilemma

Ahhh - the trials that we face {wink}.  I just don't know how best to complete this UFO, my first ever needle turn applique. 

The design "Dancing Flowers" is a Sharon Stroud Exclusive -- visit her blog here.  Along with being a most wonderful instructor and mentor, she is also a hoot !!  You might leave her blog laughing your head off, or learning something useful for future quilting projects... Either way it's well worth the trip....  But I digress.

I completed the applique on Dancing Flowers ummm ? a long time ? ago (ouch...).  Lately I have been contemplating how to finish it.    

Unfortunately, I've been reading and blogging and buying old used Quilt books -- so my imagination has 100 different ideas spinning around. 

One of the things I'm thinking is that I'll finish it on-point (does this make any sense seeing that the design is circular ? crazy woman).  Add the finishing points to it (in the same material as the background), then add another few inch border of the same.

On the outer border -  I would use the same flower, berry, and leaf designs that Sharon taught us using the nifty "RucheMark - Circular Ruching Guides" by Anita Shackelford.

I think this border accent flowers would want to be  smaller and more sparse than the medallion center piece (?? you think so ??).      I've tried to sketch something out (artist I'm NOT) for an idea....
In the white space I would quilt (hand or machine ?? that would be the next dilemma)...

Anyhow -- what do YOU think ?  Yes, No, New Ideas ??

Thanks for stopping by!  {hugs}

Karen

PS - Linking up to Angie's Applique Thursday!!
Check out the wonderful applique going on there !!