quiltinthreads wrote:
Absolutely, Michelle! In fact, the first time I used it was on a hand applique project. If you need more info about hand applique than what Sue gives in the directions, you might be interested in my tutorials for the 2008 BOM "Bouquets for a New Day". They are still on my Webshots album....at the bottom...the ones numbered 1-17. The one numbered "1. Start with the Star" shows how I get my patterns ready and how I actually stitch the applique. #10 shows a comparison of several stabilizers and #12 shows how I used the stabilizer for that project!

http://community.webshots.com/user/TennGram

(These albums are always available from my profile.)

Let us know how it works for you!

Hi Margo, I've never done applique before so this quilt will be a new technique for me. Can you still use Ricky's poly stabilizer even if you hand applique the pieces to the block?

Very nice tutorial. I like the idea of the liquid stitch on the back to secure the threads and make back-stitching unnecessary. Clever!

shirlm wrote:
Shirley, actually, I machine appliqued this year's BOM. Personally, I haven't done an applique project that was really light fabrics on a dark background by hand, so I'm not sure about the vision issues. I always do all of my hand work under an OTT light, and that seems to help me immensely! I do know that there can be a problem with the darker background "shadowing" through a lighter fabric, and often will line the lighter fabrics with another piece of fabric. Other than that, I don't think you will have any problems.

Margo, I have done quite a bit of applique. I plan to do hand applique on this project, but have never done a light background on over a dark fabric. I love your look but does the dark background pose any problems seeing what you're doing? I usually do my handwork at night.

I'd love to hear anyone else's experience with it.

Thanks! Shirley

Keith wrote:
It's good to have you back with us! Like I tell my sons when they complain about things at work: At least you have a job, and no one is shooting at you! (Their Dad spent 3 years flying F-4s in VietNam)

Aaahhh! It must have been the fusible I was feeling then... That makes sense.

Ricky's Stable Stuff is poly - how funny that I should even bat an eye at that - I use monofilament thread all the time! I will definitely try it!! Thanks, Margo!

M: Work very much gets in the way of my life from August thru December... It could be worse, work could interfere all year instead of just support. =) It's nice to have time to be human again.

vernalgrandma wrote:
Thanks vernalgrandma! You are more than welcome to copy my sashings! When you get to that point (in December) you can use anything you want in the sashings! Sue's design uses sashing strips that finish 4" x 12". My sashing strips are smaller, and finish 3"x12" which is why my entire quilt has a more "chunky" look to it. I knew I wanted to use 9-Patches for cornerstones and strips for the sashing, but didn't want to fool with the math to make them fit the 4" space! I'm mathematically challenged, so this was just the easy way out for me! The only problem you will have is that if you reduce the size of the sashing strips, Sue's design for the swag border will need to be adjusted, or it won't fit.

I hope that all of you will make design decisions that will make this quilt uniquely yours. Just be aware that changes in size will affect everything that comes after that decision.

Like Ricky says in his seminars. "You have a brain! Use it!"

Looking forward to seeing what everyone comes up with!

Keith wrote:
Hey Keith! Long time/no see!! Thanks for the kudos!

I have used both Sharon's stabilizer and Ricky's and think that they are pretty much the same thing. Ricky's has been available through the TQS Shoppe in 8-1/2"x11" sheets so they can be run through a printer which is wonderful if that's how you are going to use it. For this project, however, I found that to be wasteful, and asked Pati to stock it on rolls by the yard, and she has! So you can now order it 28" wide by whatever yardage you need. Check it out here: https://www.thequiltshowshoppe.com/?a=VP&id=376

I love working with Stable Stuff like this! It makes it so much easier to turn the edges under, there is nothing to remove, it doesn't add stiffness after it's laundered, and adds just the slightest extra filling to prevent the shapes from looking real flat.

I don't know if Ricky's quilts have been laundered or not, but I think that a lot of his applique quilts have used Steam-A-Seam II, which is a fusible product, with raw edges. The Stable Stuff is NOT a fusible.

Try it! You'll like it!

Margo thank you for the tutorial. I like how you did you quilt with the sashings. Would you let me copy your design? If you will let me copy will you help me with the logistics of how to go about doing it? If it would take up to much of your time I can just stick with Sue's design. Thanks

I don't think enough people have told you how wonderful you are in "the dime" (I heard that was the cool way to say 2010). Thanks for all you do, Margo!

Your tutorial is great!

Since you mentioned Sharon earlier - can you compare and contrast for us Ricky's leave-in applique foundation material with Sharon's? Or is Ricky's stuff discussed somewhere else? Shame on me, but I've never used it before...

I have felt Ricky's quilts before, but I don't know whether they'd been laundered or not.

Sherry, of course I need it DH says "need" has very little to do with it. His motto is "more power." You should see what he has lined up to buy for playing his online game. Alienware? At least what I do produces a tangible product.

Wow, Libbi - you are good! Are you sure you need that version 6 software? Did you see on the Bernina blog that they have directions for digitizing redwork - might be fun to try with Alex's redwork.

Well! How cool is that!!! It looks like this is a great design to do on an embroidery machine!! Well done, Libbi!

You need to post it on the BOM Show & Tell!