Thursday, August 13, 2015

appliqué - a quiet project, a new skill

Appliqué project - the collection quilt

I have a new project and I'm learning a new skill. At Quilt Market, I was able to visit with Carolyn Friedlander and see her new block of the month pattern, The Collection Quilt, and the actual quilt up close. Some shops are selling the pattern as a BOM, in 9 separate instalments (with and without fabrics too), some are selling the whole pattern at once for you to make as you like, and I bet some are teaching it as a class, etc.

Appliqué project - the collection quilt

I have not been drawn to appliqué so far in quilting. But when I saw Carolyn's modern pattern I was inspired. Appliqué is a skill that can sure help solve some difficult piecing issues that arise in modern quilting and it is portable. This BOM pattern is basically a series of workshops from Carolyn where she thoughtfully shares her simple and effective techniques and tips. It is like going to her class.

Appliqué project - the collection quilt

So, Becca, who owns Sew Me A Song, and I decided there and then at market that we would do this pattern together as an informal BOM and connect via Instagram. Becca has the pattern in her shop (she is selling the whole set as one pattern) in case you can't get it locally and want to join us. I should warn you, this is a pricy pattern, because you are basically buying 9 patterns, several "extra" project options, and a full workshop at once, but in my view, well worth it.

Becca and I are determined to add appliqué to our skill set and are going to do one block per month, with the first one to be completed by the end of August. If you want to check in or even join us, our hash tag is #lbapplique and we are also tagging our work as #thecollectionquilt.

Appliqué project - the collection quilt

I have never done appliqué so I have no idea if Carolyn has her own method or if she is sharing her take on the way women have done this for centuries but either way, her instructions and approach rock! I was able to fold under my seam neatly and evenly. The appliqué stitches are easy to do. The pattern has loads of photos for us visual learners. Each of the BOMs is a new skill builder, so the first one is the easiest with each new one adding more difficulty.

My only personal adaptation so far is to use a iron away marker to mark my basting lines as I am out of practice with eyeballing an even distance, but I expect over time that will not be required. You can see the lines in these photos as I did not get the iron out yet, as the heat wave here continues.

Appliqué project - the collection quilt

Last night, after a totally unproductive day of spinning my wheels at unpacking and at my day job and at most everything (truly, I should have just gone shopping or something) I sat down and did a bit more at my newly set up desk. I still have to find my appliqué needles and I might buy some appliqué pins, but I did find the tiny and beautiful scissors and good enough needles in this well used old needle book. It is calm and peaceful work, appliqué, and I think I'm going to like it.

Here is hoping for a more productive day today.

Best,

Leanne

14 comments:

Karen in Breezy Point said...

Be careful--applique is addictive!!

Teje Karjalainen said...

Hi Leanne! Same here, I haven't been very interested about applique except raw edge. I think this project you start is very exciting! I have tried and enjoyed most of the technics, so perhaps this will be the next one. Looking for to follow your journey. x Teje
www.nerospost.wordpress.com

Shena said...

I don't applique by hand, though I have done it by machine. I hope you get more done today, but with our local forecast being 37 C, I know I will be hanging out in my basement and trying not to move. :)

Anonymous said...

Truly, really, I want to do appliqué, but I just can't get the hang of it . . .

OPQuilt said...

I learned how to do appliqué when I moved back East for a year, and where the "older" needle arts are celebrated (and they rip their fabric when giving you some off the bolt--now that took some getting used to!). I learned the value of silk thread for hiding stitches, and learned to come out at the fold, rather than the top of the piece to be appliquéd. We had a lot of sit and sew sessions at our guild, and no machines were allowed. After finishing a quilt, I felt like I'd conquered this skill, so I'm glad to hear that you are tackling it this way as well. Bravo to you!

Heidi Staples said...

Love this, Leanne. I can't wait to watch your progress. Hoping you have some better days ahead, too!

Serena @ Sewgiving said...

I'm trying appliqué for the first time too. It's a BOM pattern called Ginger Crush, it is mostly machined pieced blocks but with some bits of appliqué to add little touches of handmade. It's a nice balance and I'm enjoying learning a new skill ... hopefully I can work myself up to sewing the pattern you are as I love the look of it. I'm going to enjoy following you sew this one :)

margaret said...

best of luck with this project, like you I have not tried applique but I signed up for the 365 block quilt which starts in 2016, the blocks are all appliqued but machined, not sue how |I will get on but what the heck I will have a go, teacher a bit far away in New Zealand and I am in the UK!!!

Anonymous said...

What a fabulous pattern! I have only tried needle turn appliqué once and loved the results. Looking forward to seeing how you get on with this.

Nicky said...

Appliqué is how I first got into quilting - hope you enjoy it!

pennydog said...

It feels like the right time for hand applique- I've drawn out a pattern I'd like to try using the back basting technique for Festival next year- it looks like that might be the method you're using too?

Vera said...

Interesting. I seen it before but never tried :) Have fun!

myBearpaw said...

I'm sure you are going to really lovely spending time with applique Leanne, it is one of my favourite hand sewing activities and I also teach it. I find it very soothing and also quite speedy once I get into the rhythm!

Archie The Wonder Dog said...

Watch out: hand appliqué is very, very addictive!