Time to relax!

Today, I will starting the second border of Baltimore Garden.  I must say, I am very pleased that I was able to finish up the top border on Friday.  Saturday I spent some time prepping for the bottom border.  I like the idea of prepping more, but I worried about how to keep the pieces safe while they wait to be stitched.  Then it dawned on me, I have a small 36x36 inch design wall that I use when laying out blocks to be pieced, why not keep my little pieces there. It is easy to separate each flower and I can see when I need to start doing more prep.  Seeing all of those pieces just makes me want to sit and stitch.  I must say, prep work is a bit like hiking up a mountain, but it is so worth it cause once you get there, the view is spectacular.  Kathy's post today talks about multitasking and feeling guilty! We all do that, but we also all need to take some time and really enjoy the view. That is my plan for a few hours today anyway! 

I snapped a photo of the borders laid out side by side.  What a view!  I really like the difference!  I hope you can take some time today to really enjoy some slow stitching too!  Get into the zone and enjoy the view!

 

Backbasting Applique

I find when doing applique, it is a good idea to learn several techniques.  I think one of the best ways to learn needleturn applique is to start with learning a technique that is called backbasting.

With backbasting the shape you want to make is drawn on the back side of the fabric.  Then a piece of fabric cut large enough to cover this area plus a generous seam allowance  is place right side up on the right side of the block and pinned in place.  Then from the back side you baste on the drawn lines.  I like using hand quilting thread and a larger needle.  The holes formed by the needle and thread will later act very similar to perforated paper and assist you with the needle turn process.

After the basting is done, I like to wait till the next day to actually start the needleturn applique.  The needleturn process starts with clipping the basting on the front side and removing a couple of stitches.  Then use your needle to turn under the seam allowance.  You will find that the fabric will want to naturally turn where the thread and needle have perforated the fabric.

I love this technique on larger pieces of applique, as it really helps keep them from shifting.  It is also great on stems when they are not one uniform size.  I also find it works great on curved handles, so you don't have to fight with bias strips to get them to lay flat. As you can see on this block, I used it only on  three of the many stems as they flared out on the end..

This shows the basting on the backside of the block

This is the front side after I trimmed it leaving a scant 1/4 inch seam allowance.

This photo shows the flare at the bottom of the stem.

There are a lot of You Tube videos on back basting, so if you haven't  tried it may I suggest you  give it a try.  You never know when you might run into a situation on a block that it may come in very handy.

Slow Stitching Hexies!

Christmas has come and gone and we sent the last of our Christmas visitors on their way this morning.  I can't believe that I have not done any stitching for the past few days.  I did get three hexagon flowers assembled before my sister and brother in law arrived on Christmas.

So today, I will spend the afternoon assembling a few more hexagon flowers. Hexies are such a great project to fill in those times  I am in between projects.  It is nice to have company, but I am looking forward to sitting down this afternoon and enjoying some stitching before we I have to face the routines the rest of the week will bring. I will be linking up with Kathy to see what others are slow stitching today!