Wednesday, October 10, 2012

A good start but not a finished block . .

For a change of pace I decided to work on the appliqué blocks for my current project Hallowe'en 1904 by Blackbird Designs. After seeing Nicole's cute pumpkins I was anxious to make my own.  I can't remember the last time I did any machine appliqué and wasn't really looking forward to it, but I'm off to a surprisingly good start.

By the time I got the blocks pieced, and got out my Steam A Seam 2, my Sulky stabilizer, my machine manual, my appliqué foot for my machine, my magic markers and special thread, I figured I might as well work on all the appliqué blocks at once, and not one at a time.


This is what I accomplished in one day and I'm very happy with my results so far.  One of the things that's making this so easy is this wide and clear applique foot.  The edge of the fabric just slides next to the right inside of that foot, making it easy to get the stitches right where they need to be.


Instead of matching the thread to the fabric I decided to use black thread for all the pieces.  I'm going with black in the background fabric so I thought the black thread was a good match and I just like the look of blocks appliquéd in black.

The pattern comes with a pattern for the stars, but since I was using different stars for my pieced blocks I thought the pattern appliqué stars for my pumpkins would have a different look, that no one would notice but me, but you know how I am.

So I traced one of my pieced blocks onto my Steam A Seam paper, 


and used that pattern for my appliqué stars.


Besides being surprised at how nicely it all looks and is coming together, I'm also surprised at how looooong it takes to machine appliqué!  I'm hoping I'll finish up the appliqué blocks tomorrow.

14 comments:

  1. I am loving this project. I think I really NEED to get this pattern and make one. Like I don't already have about a hundred projects waiting to be done. You are just an enabler.

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  2. Thelma, darling, I have only recently acquired the urge to learn to do machine applique. That foot you show is splendid. What kind of machine, please, and if a Bernina, the foot number? I am nearly ready to take the plunge . . .

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  3. on Sunday I am taking a machine applique class. I look forward to learning more techniques and tips. So far I am self taught

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  4. Loving your applique - have fun.

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  5. hi thelma!

    sure am enjoying your's and nicoles' hallowe'en 1904 journey. a few friends have made it as well~ which has encourgaged a handful more to take the plunge! you are definitlely helping to push that thinking forward! as always, your blocks and work is/are stunning!

    since you sew on a bernina, and most, if not all of us do that are about to take on this project, what number is that clear, open-toe foot that you are using for the applique work? i'm betting we already have the foot...but want to make sure that there's not a newer, better discovery in the applique world!

    quilt on!!!

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  6. This quilt is turning out great! I love how you and Nicole have both made the same kit "your own."

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  7. I'm interested in the applique foot; I have a Bernina--will it fit? Your Halloween quilt is going to be spectacular and I can't wait to see the blocks you'll add today. XOXO

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  8. Love your pumpkins ! The black thread for applique will be perfect ! I need to find a applique foot like that. I have a Husqvarna Viking , I wonder if your foot would work on my machine ?

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  9. Your blocks looks so great! Looking forward to see how you'll quilt this :-)

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  10. I started one of these last year and put it away when I didn't finish it by Halloween...need to dig it out of the UFO pile...if I remember right I only have to put the blocks together!

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  11. I love this! Will have to hunt down the pattern; can never have too many pumpkin quilts.

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