eileenkny wrote:
That looks interesting, Eileen! It's a fusible, so you wouldn't have to glue the foundations in place like the Stable Stuff!

Beth has this new stabilizer on her site: http://applewd.com/supplies/WashAway.html I've never tried it but she's the pro.

Hi Eileen, when I was at Houston this year, I bought a thimble made by TJ Lane. I have really small hands and fingers, and I use my thimble on my index finger (I learned that from Alex), so that makes it harder to fit. I've never had a thimble that fit properly, but at the TJ Lane booth, they took the time to make sure this one fits properly. I love it! And it really makes a difference when I'm appliquing. Haven't tried hand quilting yet, but I think it will help there too. Let's see if I can upload the photo:

RGold wrote: What new thimble did you get, Robin? Inquiring minds want to know!

I enjoy needleturn and have tried the "traditional" method of just turning the seam with the needle as I go. I am improving but still need to practice on the points and curves. I am not anywhere near Elly's level of proficiency yet but it is good to have goals I also have recently tried the "Stable Stuff" method with needleturn and like its ease of use. The points are sharper and curves are smoother. I just get tired of the glueing and find that I don't always get the applique piece placed in exactly the correct position and sometimes it moves slightly during the stitching process I have recently read about the "back basting" method and am considering trying it on the 2011 BOM. No glueing needed and because you mark the back of the foundation block and then quickly baste the piece down following the marking the positioning is exact. The basting line is removed as the piece is needleturned and the needle holes from the basting serve as line to follow while needleturning. Has anyone used that method and, if so, do you feel that the points and curves, especially circles, come out well?

Nance13

I flunked all of the needle turn classes that I had ever taken, and thus, never did applique. Then when I was in a Judy Niemyer class she showed us the same method (except we cut all but 1/4" away) that your first tutorial for the first BOM showed. I love it! I love that the applique piece is complete when I place it upon the background fabric, all ready to be either hand stitched (I make sure not to get the glue close to the very edge that my needle goes through) or machine appliqued. Being new to applique, I wasn't sure about leaving the stabilizer in the block, so when making the Bird of Paradise block for you, I painstakingly (word?) did another method! Oh, how I wished I'd known what I know now!!! Bring on the Stable Stuff!! I'm ready to go!!!

Dawn
In beautiful WHITE Northwest Montana

Nanguilts wrote:
Nan, thanks so much for reminding us about Beth's wonderful show! I use STABLE STUFF where she uses freezer paper, so it defines the shape of my pieces, but it does not have to be removed! It stays in the project and after it's laundered it leaves just a hint of stuffing/trapunto to the shape! Not "bloated" as Ricky says!

I also use a cuticle stick to refine the shapes, but I got an extra large one (from Sally Beauty Supply) for this because it's easier for me to hold.

Her method for using the light box to line up the overlapping pieces is how I assemble the appliquéd swags in Ruffled Roses!

I will tell you that preparing the shapes (gluing the edges) does take some time, and then the stitching goes very quickly. I don't use the vari-overlock stitch, but prefer to just use a small zig-zag stitch. It puts more stitches on the edges of the appliqué where they hold the shape on rather than in the background fabric where it doesn't do me any good! That great tip is from Libby Lehman.

And Alex's tip early in the show for stitching together the bottom of the postage stamp basket block is how I recommend stitching the bottoms of the 24 pieced baskets that make up a border in Ruffled Roses!

GREAT SHOW!!

kathyst2 wrote:
Thanks for the kind words, Kathy! I sort of think of myself as the Forum Housemother, but List Mom may sound more friendly!

No, I can't post the tutorial early, but you are welcome to review the one on Webshots that shows Hugs and Kisses. It's the same technique, just different shapes! Just take a simple shape and try the gluing technique and stitch it to some background fabric.

http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/album/576127612MrslzR

Like several others, I also needle turn the Piece O'Cake way. (I love to applique because of Becky Goldsmith.) It feels so natural, fast and easy. I've tried fused and machine sewn but have never liked the way it looks so flat in traditional applique. I know that I really don't like freezer paper and spray starch. That is a lot of time spend before you start to stitch...and I just want to stitch. I will take some time and watch all the suggested links and tuts. There could be another method out there for me.

I love machine applique because my fimgers won't allow me to do hand work any more. Too many years of using the needle by hand. Does any ome remember show 210 with Beth Ferriere(spelling). She does machine applique similar to what Margo is showing in her videos. Check it out and you can see what she uses . Nan

I also really like the Stable stuffy machine applique method and bought a yard the last time I ordered. It's nice to have all the pieces glued together before assembling and a little dimension to the applique.

I took an appliqué class by Joanie Zeier Poole this summer (7/10) and love her method. I don't do handwork. Her appliqué is invisible machine appliqué with turned-under edges. Just perfect for me!

Margo, I've done one quilt with needle turn applique, learned from Becky Goldsmith and Linda Jenkins' DVD on applique. It was wonderful and
so much fun. I finished the top over 2 years ago and am still hand quilting it! So, in the interest of time, I might try the machine applique. Stable Stuff
is a nice stabilizer, and I like the edges turned under. Any chance that the tutorial could be posted earlier than January??? I would really love to practice
this technique before working on the BOM.
And I also want to add how much I appreciate you being our cheerleader, encourager, tutor, and all the other things that go into being the List Mom. Your lovely
presence here adds so much to my experience.
Thanks, Kathy

Maureen, STABLE STUFF is available through Ricky's web site. It can be purchased in 8-1/2" x 11" sheets that can be run through the printer or by the yard, which is more economical if you don't need to use your printer.

yardage: http://www.rickytims.com/online-store?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=64&category_id=26
printer size: http://www.rickytims.com/online-store?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=65&category_id=26

I'm not sure but I think this is the same product that Sharon Schamber sells for her appliqué foundations. Ricky's price is a little better.
http://www.purpledaisiesllc.com/Regular_Weight_Applique_Foundation_p/184.htm

I really like the way it gives a little fullness to the appliquéd shapes, but is really soft after it's laundered.