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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 Free Motion Quilting Frenzy groupand/or
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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

Building Houses - With Needle and Thread

Last week we met for the monthly "Quilting the Garden" applique along hosted by our sweet friend Debbie Wick, and with two other special ladies -- my sister Janet and friend Bonnie.

We meet monthly to drool over Debbie's completed Quilting the Garden Quilt (a design and book by Blackbird Designs) and plan out the fabric and stitching for our own blocks. 

Our versions of Quilting the Garden are being completed with various methods of Needle Turn Applique.    Bonnie uses a back basting method, Janet uses freezer paper templates attached while stitching, and I use a freezer paper marking method. 

If you're interested in learning my method of Needle Turn Applique check out "Teardrops of Love - a needle turn applique tutorial" on my blog by clicking here.

Back to Quilting the Garden -- Janet, Bonnie and I have nearly completed our house blocks so I wanted to share them.

First is Debbie's House block from her completed quilt.  Isn't it beautiful?  Debbie always adorns her blocks with the sweetest embroidery.  Check out the flower box flowers and the sign on the door -- sweet! 

Debbie's quilt recently won 2nd place in the Large Bed Quilts Category at the Sauder Village Quilt Show in Archbold, OH!  Congratulations Debbie!!

Debbie's Completed House Block

Next up is my block -- it's almost done.  I need to finish up the upper flower box and the special window on the front door.   That beautiful pin-stripe background was gifted to me from Debbie - it was her last piece of fabric of this type - really pretty!  Thank you Debbie...

Karen's House Block

Next up is Janet's House Block -- I just LOVE the pink flowers and the paisley eaves on the roof!  Janet has yet to finish up her flower boxes and embroidery but the block is beautiful!  I love how the blue door and blue leaves draw out the blue paisley....

Janet's House Block

Finally there is Bonnie's House Block - I love the background fabric on Bonnie's block - isn't it beautiful?  Combine it with the delicate pinks and blues she used and it all comes together perfectly!!  It's just really pretty isn't it ?

Bonnie's House Block

Check out the embroidery on Bonnie's flower boxes -- SWEET!!   We won't mention who stitched these flowers boxes but I can say it wasn't me (or Bonnie or Janet)!!

If you're interested, you can see the house block being constructed (with some tutorials and other block progress) by clicking here and here.

*

Have a wonderful day and thanks for stopping by!

Hugs,

Karen

PS - Linking up to some great WIP/Fabric linky parties -- check them out on my sidebar to see tons of beautiful and inspirational work!

Winner - Week 3 and some Quilting the Garden Fun!

Week 3 in a Month of Monday Giveaways sponsored by Quilters Corner in Ithaca, NY has come to an end.  I want to thank each and every one of you for your support and kind comments on my blog and the Redbird Quilt Co Facebook page.   I'm really looking forward to teaching and sharing the fun of wool applique with others.

If you live locally and would like to sign up for either the "Spring Basket" or "Family Tree" class consider signing up with a friend by May 7th and you'll receive 20% off the class fee!  That's a $9.00 savings.

Be sure to review the Quilters Corner Newsletter for more information.  Click here for class details for "Spring Basket" and here for details for "Family Tree Pillow".  I look forward to seeing you there!!

If you don't live locally, the "Spring Basket" pattern can be found in my Craftsy store by clicking here... and Family Tree is a free download from the Moda Bake Shop -- click here to view the recipe.

Just a couple of quick shares before we announce the Week 3 Winner --  last week I met with my good friend and mentor Debbie, and my sister and mentor, Janet, to continue work on our "Quilting the Garden" by Blackbird Designs BOM.

Debbie made this beautiful quilt a few years ago and a few of us convinced Debbie to share her experience and input with us monthly as we make our own version of Quilting the Garden.

Here are a few shots of our last get together (we missed our friend Bonnie during this session - but I guess a retreat in Texas was just a little more fun than meeting with us girls... ; ))

Janet and Debbie looking at next month's block on Debbie's finished quilt:

The next few shots are blocks that my wonderfully talented sister has completed -- WOW !!

The house block - Isn't it beautiful (I apologize if the color is off -- darn computers ;)

Spring!!  Did I mention that my sister Janet is the only one that is on target with her blocks?  She is amazing!!

 And here are a few other details in some of her beautiful blocks !!

 Love this birds nest!!  Woot!

Thank you Debbie and Janet for letting me share our fun with others... hugs..

OK -- now the moment we've all been waiting for... there were 99 comments on last week's blog giveaway so Mr. RANDOM number generator choose as follows:

 And the winner is:

Yay!  Congratulations Piroska B!!  You are the winner of two beautiful wool charm packs!  I'll be sending you an email soon.

Many thanks again to everyone that played along -- and to Quilters Corner of Ithaca, NY for sponsoring such an awesome giveaway!

Stay tuned Tuesday for Week 4 in a Month of Monday Giveaways --we have some more fantastic prizes!!

Hugs all,
Karen

Aurifil Thread Winner - Week 1 of a Month of Monday Giveaways

Many thanks to everyone that played along in Week 1 of a Month of Monday Giveaways where we celebrated the start up of Redbird Quilt Co.  What a blast!


The celebration was sponsored by Aurifil Threads and included a 10 Spool Thread Pack of Aurifil Botanics by Carolyn Friedlander llc for Robert Kaufman Fabrics.  

I use Aurifil Mako Cotton 50Wt threads as my first choice for piecing, quilting, and needle turn applique! 

I think I've mentioned this before ;) but Aurifil's Mako Cotton thread blends like a dream, leaves little/no bulk and even less lint.   I can't begin to share technical details with you but I can say that when I quilt with it, my dense quilting comes out with little buildup and without nasty breaks.   

If you've never tried it -- you really should -- it's wonderful!

"Feathered Flower Fun" by Redbird Quilt Co. - Quilted with Aurifil Mako Cotton 50 Wt Thread

"Winters Charm" by Redbird Quilt Co - Quilted with Aurifil Mako Cotton 50wt Thread

"Quilting the Garden" by Blackbird Designs - Needle turn appliqued by KL Miller using Aurifil Mako 50Wt Thread

"Quilting the Garden" by Blackbird Designs - Needle turn appliqued by KL Miller using Aurifil Mako 50Wt Thread

 Now Open!!  Week 2 of the Month of Monday Giveaways .... Yet another chance to win Aurifil Thread!   Just click here to read and enter the giveaway. 

***   Drum-roll please  ***

There were a total of 571 comments on the Week 1 giveaway post -- WOW -- everyone wanted to win that Thread!!

Mr. Random Number Generator chose comment number :  277 !! 

 And comment # 277 was "Beth" -- yep, you've seen it with your own eyes!  Beth is our winner!!

Congratulations Beth!   I've sent you an email....  Oh the beautiful things you'll be able to stitch with that thread.

Have a fantastic week everyone and be sure to enter the Week 2 giveaway open until Monday, April 14th and celebrating my new Wool Applique pattern "Spring Basket".   We'll be sharing 3 "Spring Basket" patterns and another Thread Pack of Aurifil Mako Cotton 50Wt.   

Oh happy day!
Karen

Quilting the Garden - Summer Cottage Progress

I wanted to share a bit more progress on the Quilting the Garden "Summer Cottage" block.

If you're just tuning in, you can see more of my "Quilting the Garden" by Blackbird Designs needle turn applique blocks here, here and here.

Also, if you're new to needle turn applique, please visit my "Teardrops of Love - a needle turn applique tutorial" on my blog header or sidebar.  Teardrops of Love is a multi-part needle turn applique tutorial - you'll learn about tools, prep, turning inside and outside points and much more!!

Here is where I left off last post:

Since then the fascia has been traced on freezer paper (Love that Chelsea Boutique fabric).

Cut out, marked with a Sew Line pencil and scored with a Hera Marker:

Layered over the house and roof -- aligning with the use of an overlay as shown below:

Basted:

 

And stitched!

Door, windows and window box fabric outlined:

Door attached and windows positioned:

Struggling with pin holes in the fabric?   Notice the holes in the circles below...

Just dab the pin hole with a bit of water (using a Q-tip or your finger) and rub gently while damp.

Let dry and taa-dah !   Pin holes are gone!

Chimney next (bottom of windows are raw to attach window boxes):

Window boxes next -- still not sure I like the way these look -- reserving judgement until the remainder of the block is done - what do you think ?

 

The final picture for tonight.  I am excited about making progress on this block - it's fun.

If you have any questions about the process, please leave me a comment or email me directly.  I would be happy to help if I can.

Linking up to a bunch of fun parties - check them out in my sidebar!
Have a good week all.

Hugs,
Karen