There was no slow hand quilting going on at my house this week. I needed to mark five more blocks on Baltimore Garden before anymore stitches could be taken. So during the good light of the day I was busy marking. In the evening I pulled out Trailing Vines to add some more leaves. The third panel was about half way done, so I decided I would continue stitching till it was finished. The final stitches were put in this morning.
So today, I am going to start a new applique project. I am a little late starting this one, as many bloggers started this project last October. But better late than not starting at all is my motto when it comes to an applique quilt with a botanical theme. Shenandoah Valley Botanical fit the bill.
I am going to make this quilt using 9 inch finished blocks. So, I have decided to do the whole project using back basting to prep my blocks for needle turn applique. I found a great background fabric at my LQS right before Christmas. It has honey bees all over it, without these little creatures our gardens would just not be the same. So, I thought it would be wonderful to honor them and all the hard work they do!
Back basting is a great method to prepare the pieces to be appliqued since it places the pieces in the exact location on the block. The pattern is traced to the back of the background fabric. I use a light box to do this, and then the fabric is place on the right side but basted from the back side using a hand quilting thread and a large needle. I like to use an embroidery needle. The thread and the larger needle leave holes in the piece that is going to be needle turned and helps it to turn right where it needs to. Sentimental Stitches has a great tutorial on back basting in case you want to try it.
My first block is a pineapple block. I have one prepped, but there are three pineapple blocks in this quilt so I need to get the other two block traced and prepped. Looks like there are plenty of slow stitches to get done today. Hope you will join the group of slow stitchers that link up at Slow Stitching Sunday and share your project.
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| I just love how the bits of scraps play off each other! |
So today, I am going to start a new applique project. I am a little late starting this one, as many bloggers started this project last October. But better late than not starting at all is my motto when it comes to an applique quilt with a botanical theme. Shenandoah Valley Botanical fit the bill.
I am going to make this quilt using 9 inch finished blocks. So, I have decided to do the whole project using back basting to prep my blocks for needle turn applique. I found a great background fabric at my LQS right before Christmas. It has honey bees all over it, without these little creatures our gardens would just not be the same. So, I thought it would be wonderful to honor them and all the hard work they do!
Back basting is a great method to prepare the pieces to be appliqued since it places the pieces in the exact location on the block. The pattern is traced to the back of the background fabric. I use a light box to do this, and then the fabric is place on the right side but basted from the back side using a hand quilting thread and a large needle. I like to use an embroidery needle. The thread and the larger needle leave holes in the piece that is going to be needle turned and helps it to turn right where it needs to. Sentimental Stitches has a great tutorial on back basting in case you want to try it.
My first block is a pineapple block. I have one prepped, but there are three pineapple blocks in this quilt so I need to get the other two block traced and prepped. Looks like there are plenty of slow stitches to get done today. Hope you will join the group of slow stitchers that link up at Slow Stitching Sunday and share your project.
I was so tempted by the SVBQ-Along, but had to say no for now. It will be fun to watch yours! Using background fabric with honeybees is a fantastic idea!
ReplyDeleteThanks. I know so many out there and 1857 tempted me too but I just can't go there. So I decided to download the blocks, who knows maybe someday
DeleteLove the fabrics - bees are the key to growing anything! I'll enjoy watching you make this one as I start my new appliqué project later this week. Maybe some prep work with my make shift light box (clear sewing table with a neck light underneath!) in between my playing school with Emily today. Your vines are looking wonderful... Maybe I need to add some to my midget appliqué in a border....... thinking...... Have a great Sunday Carla.
ReplyDeletePerfect light box. They sure come in handy
Deleteyou have been busy. Those vines sure have a lot of work in them. I tried back basting once but to me it seemed like double the work - but we all have our favorite ways don't we - the good thing about quilting is there are so many ways to do things.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right. I don't stick to one method, love having a bag of tricks to go to when needed
DeleteAmazing amount of leaves thus far !
ReplyDeleteI've seen quite a few blocks lately in regards to the botanical quilt where people have recently joined in so you are not really behind at all :) After two months of trying to get blocks done for the link up on the 15th and doing little else, I just relaxed and am lucky to get one done each month but I am happier about it ha ha ! :)
Good for you. I don't plan to try and catch up or keep up. But, I love botanicals so I had to give it a go
DeleteCarla,
ReplyDeleteYour trailing vine panels (and now you've finished your third one!) look wonderful and I'm envious because that quilt is one I'd love to make --------- someday.
You newer undertaking is quite formidable looking too. Good luck!
I know what you mean about accepting those fabric deals and steals when they are presented and we run into them, it's better to succumb any day rather than say "Why didn't I? and I should have....." lol
Take care and thanks for stopping by. Jane
Oh I hope you go for it. Trailing Vines is a lot of fun to stitch with all those bits of scraps. Great take along or in between projects project.
DeleteI am looking forward to watching that quilt grow with the honeybee background fabric.
ReplyDeleteAren't those honey bees perfect!
DeleteSo glad that you are starting this project... I look forward to watching your progress!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kathy. I have a lot of slow stitches in my future for sure
DeleteIt will be fun to watch your progress on your new applique quilt each week. Those vine borders are to die for!!!
ReplyDeleteThe vines are for a strippy type quilt that was originally made by Susan McCord. I have a long way to go but they are fun to stitch
DeleteWhat do you use to draw you design on the back of the block?
ReplyDeleteJust a mechanical pencil. Sewline, Fons and Porter, papermate sharpshooter all work well.
DeleteA new start is just so exciting! I am looking forward to following along on your new applique journey!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ellen. It has been a joy to see you enjoy the process of making all those seven sisters quilts. It's really all about the stitching.
Deletebeautiful applique! I need to see how back basting works. I don't understand it quite. Your vine panels are so lovely!
ReplyDeleteIt is really great for curved handles on vases as it prevents the piece from getting stretched. The same concept as drawing and sewing on the lines to make HST's
DeleteI am so happy that you are jumping into the SVBAQ sew-a-long. It has been fun. Mine are 10" and they seem to be working out fine. Looking forward to watching your progress.
ReplyDeleteI didn't want a large quilt, but get Leary when the pieces get small and narrow. So I decided to challenge my self to just use back basting on this one. So far I am getting good results
DeleteYou are really moving along with your Trailing Vines now! So very lovely.:)
ReplyDeleteThere are twelve strips in the whole quilt so it will take a while. I am not in a hurry it's a go to project when I am in between projects and need something quick to pick up and stitch
DeleteCan't wait to see your Trailing Vines finished into their purpose! They do look so lovely Carla! And your new project looks quite fun too! :) Glad you got some slow stitching in yesterday! Kathi
ReplyDeleteIt will be a while but I do love the scrappy vines.
DeleteThanks Donna. Who knows when I will get enough strips finished but it is providing me with plenty of slow stitching to do.
ReplyDeleteOh how nice to see Trailing Vines again. I just love the use of scraps in that. I only have luck appliqueing basic shapes and someday, maybe when I retire, I might tackle something like that.
ReplyDeleteOh, that new project looks wonderful. Honey Bee background...now that sounds like fun! And, hah! I thought you were back basting on a honey bee or dragonfly or something when I saw the preview photo on Slow Sunday Stitching. Who knew it would end up to be a pineapple block!
I highly recommend Trailing Vines! I used to worry that I would ge bored adding leaves to vines, but the use of scraps really makes it fun. So fun to see how each branch turns out. My only rule is not to use the same fabric next to each other in the leaves that are not pieced. I was a bit concerned doing 9 inch block a bit small for me, but the back basting is working well.
DeleteThe bee fabric is going to be perfect background for your new project. I follow a couple bloggers that are working on this project. I do not do needle turn applique' but I enjoy seeing others' work.
ReplyDeleteI learned to applique because I love hand quilting them. I have never worked on such small blocks but I really like the way they look. Love the challenges!
DeleteYour vine panel looks wonderful! I miss working on mine :0) it will be fun to watch your progress on your new project.
ReplyDelete