I sometimes put off doing things that I think I may not do well. For example, the tiny berries are the last pieces to be stitched (except for the wing which is waiting for me to decide about fabric). I've never appliqued anything so small as those berries and I wasn't sure I could make them round(-ish) enough. Two have come out okay so I think the third one will, too. ( One berry is almost invisible. Only the bird can see it, and without eyes, at that. Ha ha.)
I aim for perfection but I never achieve it. I keep telling myself that this basket block is just practice and that I'll be making more baskets. I'll get better as I go.
On Cheri Payne's facebook group I asked if people cut away the fabric behind the appliqued pieces. Of the 12 or 18 who responded there is about an equal number of those who do and those who don't. Most explained why they did or didn't and I could understand their reasoning. Since this will be hand quilted, I will cut away behind the applique pieces.
I'm linking this post to
WOW: Sweetly Does It at Esther's Blog
Let's Bee Social #163 at Sew Fresh Quilts
Midweek Makers #58 at Quilt Fabrication
Thanks for hosting, ladies.
--Nancy.
Your block looks great!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Missy. I appreciate the compliment.
DeleteLooking good! Thanks for sharing on Midweek Makers
ReplyDeleteThanks, Susan. And thanks for hosting Midweek Makers.
DeleteI love your little basket!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Pam.
DeleteApplique can be really tricky sometimes. I'm glad you are being persistent and are looking forward to the next block. I was taught to applique by a lady with long fingernails. She used her thumbnail to secure the turned under part as she sewed along with the other hand. I asked her what she did when her thumbnail broke. "I don't applique for awhile," was her answer. I've tried her technique and it works. But my thumbnails can't be depended on so I've had to learn other ways to keep the raw edge turned down while I stitch. I love what you can do with applique. It gives the quilt a sincere quality.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your encouragement, Robin.
DeleteI haven't yet mastered needle-turned applique and so stitch the edges under but sometimes I find that they are not smooth and then I use the needle to adjust the curve then I, too, use my thumbnail to hold that in place. My nails are fairly short but they still work.
I like applique, too. I haven't yet experimented much with using it with patchwork as Kim Diehl and some others do. I suppose I'll graduate to that one of these days.
Thanks for visiting and leaving such a detailed comment. I appreciate it, Robin.
I admire your ability to applique. I tried it once, about 10 year ago, and it was dismal. You do beautiful work!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your generous compliment, Karen. Sometimes I think my applique looks good (and some parts do) and others times I see where I could improve a lot. Practice, practice! I just keep at it and try to get better.
DeleteWhen I applique, I trim up the pieces but leave a ragged edge because I like that look.
ReplyDeletePopped by from Let's Bee Social
http://thriftshopcommando.blogspot.com
Thanks for stopping and leaving a comment, Tami. I've only ever appliqued with turned under edges but I've seen applique with buttonhole stitch around the edges. Is that how you do your?
DeleteNancy, I love how your block is turning out...great bird and circles!I read your comment on the fb page and read the replies with interest. I had one instructor who said you should never slit your work and another who just as adamently said remove those papers! So I guess it is just like your little survey and so do what you think is best. I, like you, regard each piece as a learning experience because it really is!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jocelyn. And I have so much to learn! I cut away behind the handle, the curved strip at the top of the basket, and the bird but have left the fabric behind everything else. Those would have been harder to remove later, but everything else I can cut away easily if I decide to.
DeleteI think there are times for cutting away, and times when it doesn't matter, or provides more stability not to cut away. For needle turn on curves, do you know about the toothpick trick?
ReplyDeleteHi, Susan. Yes, I know about the toothpick trick but I haven't yet mastered needle-turned (toothpick-turned) applique. I still turn and baste the edges before appliqueing. One of these days I'll give needled/toothpick-turned applique a try again.
DeleteI've cut away behind several parts of this block because it would have been impossible to do it later, but the topmost pieces still have the fabric behind them. I will be able to cut the back away later if I decide to do it.