I thought I would trawl around blogland to help brush up on my needle turn before I started and this is how I prepared the block....
I finger pressed the background in half, and half again and then tacked along these lines.
I then folded a piece of freezer paper in 4 and traced over the pattern...
Then cut it out like a primary school snowflake...
Then ironed onto the right side of the fabric...
I then traced around the freezer paper template with a silver Hybrid Gel Grip marker (this washes out, but please test for yourself). I like using this pen as the silver glint catches the light and it is easy to see on all colours. I put a rubber mat underneath (made in Japan) to stabilise the fabric...
After tracing I remove the freezer paper and tack the fabric to the background. I try to tack around the shapes to assist with the cutting away which I do just a few centimetres in advance as I 'm going along. I use Daruma silk thread and a Clover self threading needle.
I would like to thank the following for their on-line tutorials:
- Miriam @ Yellow Roses
- Janet @ Quiltsalot
- Carrie @ A Passion for Applique
If anyone would like my freezer paper template for this block and a silver gel marker (unused!) let me know in a comment or email - 'first in best dressed'.
I'm looking forward to seeing photos of Jane Wilson's block from other people on Sharon's Chester County Criswell blog.
nb see post below for a Christmas give-away closing midnight tonight.
Cheers
What a beautiful block and a lovely photo tutorial on the basics of how you accomplished such as nice applique! Thanks for sharing! I use the same technique and enjoy it so much - the applique is then "mindless" needle turn - so enjoyable!!! I can't wait to see the next one!
ReplyDeleteHi Carole - this is gorgeous - beautiful applique - and I love your previous post on the 12 days of Chrsitmas - looking forward to seeing more of both of these quilts.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful block Carole. I love the fabric you have chosen.
ReplyDeleteGreat information on how you prepared your block.
That's a gorgeous block and your applique looks great. I love the freshness of the red on white.
ReplyDeleteLove the fabric...might have to hunt that fabric down :)
ReplyDeleteJust a tip to make sure the design is in the middle of your background square..this is what I do..see how you folded the freezer paper in halves and you see the line on the paper...I then draw around my design and in my seam allowance I mark those lines with a pigma pen..... so then when I stick the design down I can then line them up with the lines on the background fabric.
Still waiting on my background fabric
Thanks for the block pattern cutting information. I have been making 4 copies on my printer and trying to tape them together. I seem to have to reverse two of them to get the lines to match up. I Will try your method.
ReplyDeleteI am on try #11 of the prove you are not a robot. Please consider turning it off.
Sorry Nancy about the name identity, I think I've switched it off now. I'm still a blog newbie. Thanks for persevering long enough to leave a comment!
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