we can michane sew the 2 swage together right

That's where I learned to do hand applique! I've got their DVD and book and did the sampler quilt. Pinching the edges before sewing really works well. With this little curvy part on the petal, I wasn't able to pinch very well. So if I hand sew/pull up gathers, finger press around the template, take out the template, pinch a sharper edge, and then hand sew, I won't have to fight the teeny part of that curve. It will already be turned under.

I love the Piece O Cake ladies' work. Becky and Linda put out so many beautiful quilts, all with hand applique. I consider their book/DVD to be the best in-depth one for teaching beginners how to applique. They cover everything and they show closeups with fabric- not just diagrams as in some other books. I used to fear the a-word but now I love doing it. Guess I just need to keep practicing on tighter curves.

Kathy

You might also want to try pinching the seam allowance under before you start stitching! It's amazing how much that helps! That's the technique I used for the first TQS BOM Bouquets for a New Day: http://good-times.webshots.com/album/562185015aGQwDk

This is a technique taught by Becky Goldsmith of the Piece O Cake company. Watch Becky demonstrate it in episode # 611
[url]watch/watch-shows/video/show-611-applique-the-piece-o-cake-way[/url]

I thought about it last night, and then this morning at work.... I did an experiment with hand stitching around the convex part of the petal, and then clipping the concave portion, pulling it up against the templar template like a circle. It made a decent edge, and I can hand stitch around the edge, and then cut out some of the flower background and remove the basting threads to remove bulk. I'm going to try it but not tonight, I think I over did it yesterday! I do have Alex's book and also looked at Thimble Lady's book and another one, gosh they must be patient! Anyway, I think persuading the edge before hand beats trying to do it as I'm sewing. Thanks for the info. Kathy

Yes! Hand applique is definitely slower than sewing by machine, but if you don't want to use Stable Stuff foundations, you can still prepare your pieces before you sew by using Alex's spray starch method! I do mine a little differently, but hers is a great technique!

View it here: [url]learn/classrooms/[/url]

The rest of Alex's wonderful applique classes can be found here: [url]learn/classrooms/[/url]

Or you might want to try her book here: https://alexandersonquilts.com/cart/product.php?prod_id=39&cat_id=2

The prep work takes some time, but it may save you time in the long run if you have your edges prepped before you sew.

Here I am again, asking for HELP!

I'm doing the center block with hand applique. Finished the vine, circles and leaves. Now, I'm attempting to put together those little flowers. I appliqued one side of the little petal onto the flower background, doing my usual needleturn. This took me at least an hour, because of that teeny little curve at the top. Can anyone offer any hints to make this easier? I don't really want to glue the fabric to stable stuff but if that's the only way, I might do it. At this speed it will take me around 3 hours to complete each flower including sewing it on to the background. I'm fairly experienced at hand applique but apparently not an expert

Margo, you mentioned that you've done lots of hand applique, do you have some words of wisdom?
Maybe I'm just a slow sewer. It took me 3 weeks to do the vine, circles and leaves.
Kathy

kathyst2 wrote:
Thanks Kathy. If you are talking about the first two cuts from the background fabric, the 51" (obviously) must be cut parallel to the selvage.
The next long cut is for the background pieces for the appliqued swags, and Sue recommends cutting those pieces on the lengthwise grain also.

Just be sure to save all of the excess fabric created after you pre-cut these large pieces. You will need it for later months.

Hey Margo, now that I'm closely reading the directions for month one, about cutting out the larger pieces from the fabrics first, I have a question. There are some pieces cut the length of the fabric. Is the width measured from the selvage edge, or factoring out the selvage? It looks like I might factor out the selvage. I want to make sure before I start cutting.
I've finished the hand appliqued vine and am slogging away at the berries now. It's a lot of work but it's looking really nice!
Thanks for your brilliant tutorials so far.
Kathy

Dawn, your block is just fabulous, well worth the wait!

I didn't think you was point a finger, that is the great thing about posting..... you can let everyone know your do's and don'ts, lol. On my next appligue, little blocks, maybe I'll get it right. I'm still sewing my lattice, lots of cutting and lots of sewing........

I want to thank you all so much for the kind words on my center block! I am happy just because I finished something. I have a tendancy to work on something until I kind of know how it is going to look, then move on to something else.

Annis, That is just what I planned for those setting triangles! Lots of interesting quilting. I really like what Sue has done in the Cheddar version! The half circle feathers are great!

SHARONMAMAW, I just wanted you to know that I was not pointing the finger at you, as there are many centers where that little heart on the top just didn't point to the corner. And, there were posts about not getting the design centered. So, being way behind, and taking head to the plight of my sisters, the first thing I did was draw a line right through the middle, both ways, and draw a 15" square, then carefully placed my applique pieces. But, I did not have the one continuous piece that you all had, so I will admit mine was probably easier to center.

And, I have a great admiration for all of you who have posted your month 2 already (I think there's around 40 of them!) and are working on your swag border. You have all done a wonderful job. They are beatiful!

Dawn
In beautiful Northwest Montana

Another amazing start on our 2011 BOM! I'm lovin' the variety!

Dawn your block is stunning and the colours are wonderful and I just love love love the design you have used is just wonderful.

Dawn, Your block is amazing! Thhe colors and designs balance perfectly and I know it will be a stunning center for a stunning quilt! I can't wait for future borders! You go girl! geneva in South Australia on vacation.