YES!! BRIDGET!! YYAAHHOO!! Details, details!! Thank YOU!!

Hi Janice! Glad you're joining us! I'm doing machine applique as well -- freezer paper on the back, glue stick the edges, invisible thread machine stitch. I'd be happy to put up a photo "tutorial" like Margo does if anyone would be interested. Let me know and I could probably have something posted by the end of the weekend. So far I've only printed up the pattern!

Hi everyone! I'm new here to the forum, but I have chatted with several of the ladies privately already. I am doing my blocks by machine but I haven't decided if I am going to do raw edge or turned edge. I might do a combo of each since I'm a rookie and some of the pieces are small and intimidate the heck out of me! Margo, you are a whiz at organizing us on the site, but I have a question for you regarding the people who are doing their blocks by machine. Is there any way we can have a separate place for MA's instead of scanning all the other messages? Sorry, I'm having a senior moment and I can't seem to find the right words to describe what I am thinking! That happens a lot it seems. Anyway, to me, I have tried to find info on the individuals who are doing MA and it ends up I spent lots of valuable time on the computer instead of in the sewing room. Thanks again to all for your helpful advice and what a great group of ladies to work with! The inspiration is wonderful, especially to someone like me flying by the seat of my pants! Woohoo!!!!! Janice

If you are using fusible web and need to reverse the pattern but have already printed out your pattern, just go over the lines with an ultra-fine Sharpie marker. The ink will show through on the back of the pattern and you can just trace it from that side onto the fusible web!

I printed out one in January, but the printing ink was visible thru my star fabric which is pale yellow!

Has anyone else had this problem with printing?

Lynn

stitchnstroke wrote:
Hey it only took me 4 months to figure it out!

denise

Boy, something happened when I printed out January and February blocks. I just now realized that they are only 15", not 16" I don't know why. I just printed out the first page of the pattern of January and it is now 16"!!!!! So my January and February blocks are smaller. It's o.k. because I cut my background fabric large enough, but it is a mystery. I found out because I had made my white star points using the January pattern and they, of course are much too small for the May block. Do you think it would matter if I used them anyway, or should I toss them and make some more???? I thought I was getting ahead of the game...but not. Wonder why I didn't notice the difference before. It must have been page scaling and I didn't realize. Oh well. Will someone please advise???

Nancy in NC

Maggie, I was at Paducah also - too bad we didn't meet each other. What is the technique called? Is it IMA? I have a book on that and those that do it say you cannot tell the difference. I have not seen it done and have only done handstitched. But I am going to give this a try on a block that has some big pieces. I have a lot of handstitching to do as I have way too many applique projects going at one time. Rather addicting to say the least.

I was almost finished with my May block and had my circles done in advance and then decided I didn't particularly like the color - so more circles to make. If it doesn't say yes to me then I change it.
Bonny

Denise! Thanks for your idea - I was just about to print the pattern (at work too - I won't tell either!). Now I won't have to rack my brain so hard trying to figure out how to trace it!
Cathy
KY

NancyAnn1959 wrote:
I have been using freezer paper like tape, cutting small pieces, when I put the four sections together. Then I use larger pieces on the back once everything is in place. It is easier to fold than staples and ironable too.

I will not be posting the first block done, as I am working until 8pm tonight (gotta support that quilting habit somehow!) If I am not too tired, I may be able to get started tonight, otherwise, sometime tomorrow between appointments.

I took a class at Paducah on "Looks like hand applique, but it's not". May use the techniques I learned in that class, instead of my usual raw edge applique. Sarah Ann Smith, who is a quilt show member, taught the class. Check out her blog and website. She does some awesome work.

Maggie in finally spring like E. Central Illinois

When I saw this topic and 8 replies already I was fearful that SOMEONE would have their completed block posted already!! That would have been a little mind-blowing, although our Aussie quilters have had ALL DAY to work on it while we slept! I expect that by the time I can check again tonight there will be at least one posted... who will it be??? not ME, although I did print it first thing this am...
Florence

With some posts about getting a head start on the star and the berries, I expect to see some finished daffodil blocks pop up here any minute!!!

For those of you that are using the fusible web method as I am I’ve printed off my pattern at work (shhhhhhh) and will use the photocopier here to mirror image the pattern so there will be no more tracing over. It’s a lot faster but then again even as fast as it is I’m still finishing up April today.

denise