| How To's & Tips |
Tip # 1 I love this method for stabilizing the edge of a quilt. Instead of stay stitching around the edge of a finished quilt, I like
to cut 1/4" strips of fusible interfacing with a rotary cutter, place them adhesive side down on the wrong side along the
outer edges of quilt, press in place to prevent the edges from fraying or stretching.
Easy peasy!
to cut 1/4" strips of fusible interfacing with a rotary cutter, place them adhesive side down on the wrong side along the
outer edges of quilt, press in place to prevent the edges from fraying or stretching.
Easy peasy!
Tip #2. This is the method I prefer for making the leaves for the willow tree. It is fast, easy & accurate! Cut out cut all leaves
out leaving about 3/16" seam allowance. Trace and cut out approx 6 leaf templates from Mylar heat resistant template
material. Set aside 5. With a needle & any color thread, run a basting stitch around the leaf in the 3/16" seam allowance &
approx 1/8" from the raw edge, place a Mylar leaf template on the wrong side of the leaf fabric inside the drawn leaf line,
then pull the thread tight so that the fabric conforms to the shape of the template. Next, using steam press the leaf on the
front & back of leaf; set aside to cool. Do the same for the other 5 leaves/templates. When six leaves are stitched around &
pressed, rotate & go back to the 1st leaf, loosen the stitching, remove the Mylar template, pull the thread to restore the leaf
shape, press once again. This finishes the leaf. Continue in this fashion, when all the leaves are completed, pin them to the
tree with small appliqué pins & appliqué them in place by hand or machine.
out leaving about 3/16" seam allowance. Trace and cut out approx 6 leaf templates from Mylar heat resistant template
material. Set aside 5. With a needle & any color thread, run a basting stitch around the leaf in the 3/16" seam allowance &
approx 1/8" from the raw edge, place a Mylar leaf template on the wrong side of the leaf fabric inside the drawn leaf line,
then pull the thread tight so that the fabric conforms to the shape of the template. Next, using steam press the leaf on the
front & back of leaf; set aside to cool. Do the same for the other 5 leaves/templates. When six leaves are stitched around &
pressed, rotate & go back to the 1st leaf, loosen the stitching, remove the Mylar template, pull the thread to restore the leaf
shape, press once again. This finishes the leaf. Continue in this fashion, when all the leaves are completed, pin them to the
tree with small appliqué pins & appliqué them in place by hand or machine.
Tip # 3. To make the flag without piecing, I used paper foundation piecing. Trace the flag onto 20 lb. paper or lighter but
remember to draw your flag in reverse so that when it's sewn it will face the right direction. Trim paper piecing pattern and
turn edges under for appliqué.
Tip #4. For the roof, I used my own freezer paper appliqué method. It is different than the conventional freezer methods most
use. Trace and cut out freezer paper template of roof. Next, iron the freezer paper roof template to the RIGHT side of your
chosen fabric. Cut out leaving a scant 1/4" seam allowance around template, clip seam allowance where necessary. Place a
thin line of water soluble glue stick to wrong side of roof in the seam allowance. Press seam allowance to back of template
following template edge; you can also press lightly with the iron when edges are turned back, if desired. Peel off freezer
paper template & save for a future project. It can be used again. This method eliminates the difficult removal of the freezer
paper from the wrong side of the fabric! The roof is now ready to appliqué without having to do any needle turning! I use
this method of appliqué a great deal. I'm able to achieve very intricate and accurate shapes.
The above described appliqué method was
used for the leaves, branches & stems in the
picture to the left on my latest design, Miss
Lucy's Cottage. This method works supremely
well for them!
used for the leaves, branches & stems in the
picture to the left on my latest design, Miss
Lucy's Cottage. This method works supremely
well for them!
| Got extra fabric and no room for it? This sounds familiar! Think outside the box.......or inside the box. There are many home dec items that can "hide" our extra or special fabrics that haven't found a place in our fabric storage areas yet! No one dreams there's fabric in this wonderful wooden box that I've painted with a aged green crackle paint finish. |
| I bought this box at Potter Hill Barn on the way to Vermont and covered it with Susan Winget fabric; then varnished it. It is a handy storage solution for some extra pieces of wool! |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
