Hi Beth, Sharon Shamber's method is "turned edge machine" applique. She uses a water soluble stabilizer(feels and looks like paper but will turn into a fiber and will act like trapunto when washed, it stays inside the applique) to trace the applique piece on. Then she uses Elmer's washable school glue stick to the stablilzer and the fabric together. Cut out the fabric with appox. 1/8th" allowance. Put glue stick on the fabric edge and turn edge to the back of the piece, iron on flat surface. Then all the pieces are then zig-zagged to the background using 1.0mm width and length...cotton 60wt. thread in the bobbin and YLI polyester monofilament(I use Superior Monopoly...don't use nylon it won't take the heat of ironing!). Once you have you piece done you, soak it overnight...this softens the stabilizer and gets rid of the starch too. There is more to her technique that you can get from her book "Piece by Piece, Machine Applique". I recommend it...very easy to understand with lots of pictures and wonderful patterns too. I'm not affiliated in any way, but I'm a big fan...truth be known I was not an "appliquer"(is that a word?) before I started the TQS BOM. I was never happy with my work before this method came along. I would have never attempted all those berries without it!
Blessings,
Debbie S.
SW~WA

Sharon Schamber's applique technique - What is so different / special about it?

BethMI

Beautiful block, Debbie!!!

I couldn't agree more on the Sharon Schamber method! I have used it for ALL of my BOM blocks this year and am addicted to it. In fact, I'm hand appliquing November and finding as I go along, doggone, wish I'd put stabilizer in these pieces so I could just go get them sewn on!!!! But I'll have some handwork to do after December b/c I think I might hand quilt this one!

Thank you so much for the encouragement ladies!! I wish my camera took better photos the colors are not that true...it's a nice cocoa brown background, sage green leaves and stems, dark double pink & a wonderful light pink with darker satin mini-dots that shimmer in the light for the flowers. I had to tea dye the vase fabric.
Sandy...can't wait for your color choices...we will have to keep each other posted on our progress.
Lynn, I'm using Sharon Schamber's applique method...it's takes a little longer but I love the how perfect the pieces turn out and the little tiny zig-zag is easy to do!
Margo sugested that I blog my progress...I have never done that so I think I just might have to try blogging out too!! At least to give everyone a count down of berries left to go in the quilt!! :shock:
Blessings,
Debbie S.
SW~WA

It is beautiful Debbie! Love the colors! Happy berries. What method are you using on the berries?

Debbie, your block is beautiful. I am also making it but haven't decided on my colors yet. It is a 2009 project.

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!!! This is my favorite Sue Garman quilt and I've toyed with the idea of making it, but I'm not sure I have the stick-with-it-ness to finish all those berries! Have fun with it and keep posting pictures. Deb

My first block for the Lilly Rosenberry Quilt, by Sue Garman is almost complete(I have to sew down the vase). I fell in love with the the newest color-way(pinks, green & chocolate brown). I have posted the block in Show & Tell. This is going to be "our" quilt...I have been searching for just the right quilt for our bedroom, this will be perfect! I know I'm nuts but I do like making the berries! :shock: I'm sure I will get my fill of the little buggers by
the time I'm done with the top! ONLY 969 berries to go!!

Blessings,
Debbie S.
SW~WA