Applique Tuesday

I've been having an interesting time making the Splendid Sampler blocks. Some have been quite challenging.  For instance, last Sunday's paper piecing one, the crochet one and the 1" checkerboard.  Last Thursday, it was an applique one.  Here's how I made it:

First I cut out a square of fabric an inch bigger than the finished block. I ironed a very thin fusible interfacing on the back to stabilize the block when I applique.

 I next cut out the shapes of the birds carefully (cut through the middle of the black lines) in a puzzle shape from the template page given. Above I show the three pieces put back together again with my templates cut out [right side up].

 I have a big tightly sealing bin of fabric with steam a seam already fused on it (from previous projects) Found a piece of black I could use.  Traced the reversed shapes onto the paper of the fusible. Then with my micro-serrated scissors {which help lessen fraying} cut out the birds. Again along the middle of the pencil line.

 I removed the paper from the shapes and laid the birds in the cutouts.

 Then placing my hand on the pattern I carefully removed the papers.  Here's where I can adjust the shapes to whichever way I want.  I pretty much left it as our designer drew it. Some of you have made fabulous adaptations.

I ironed the birds according to the instructions for the fusible, and my block was prepped.  Appliqued using a very tiny zig-zag stitch on my Bernina using a 70/10 needle and black 50wt thread.

How do you prep your applique?  Leave a comment and I'll come see your block (as time permits). Thanks for sharing your eye candy.  Blessings!

Some of This, Some of That

Used another 1/8th yard to make the Splendid Sampler blocks (2).  Not much else pulled from the stash.  YTD de-stashing is now 13.21 yards. 

Working on WIP #2  - star blocks made - trying to decide on border fabric. 

Here's two ways I'm leaning. Plain or more stripes. This quilt is on my design wall.

Come by and leave a comment of what you're up to.  I'll try to come by and say hello as my limited online time allows.  Blessings!

WIPs Be Gone Madness

While I haven't been able to quilt as much as I'd like with this arthritis flair up, I have been able to move forward on three WIPs - a little at a time usually only 15-20 minute sessions.

Here's one I actually finished:

I started and finished the top in September.  It's not as dark as it seems in the photo.  It's more like the following photo.  It is a raffle quilt for our local library's friends group.

Here's a photo where the quilting shows up better.  It's to be a family reunion quilt or memory quilt. Once someone wins it, I'll quilt the surname and finish the cross hatch quilting in the center. They'll be able to sign in the squares made by the quilting. If you click on the photo you can see a larger, clearer image.

Here's the back.

This WIP is one of my leaders and enders - all the parts are assembled - just need to construct the blocks from all the pieces. Started this years ago.

My other leader and ender are the stars for this Jubilee wall hanging - another old WIP.  It was suppose to have an outside border, but I like it this size with the stars as part of the last border.  I have three options I'm considering:  a. more red and white sections, b. blue strips that match the blue in the stars, or something similar to the flannel that makes up my design wall.  Please advise.

What are you up to? Would love to see it, whether finished or WIP progress or an old post, or even about what is going on in your life - not necessarily quilty. Share your goodness. Linky below closes Monday, midnight.

An InLinkz Link-up

I'm participating in the Pink Doxies new link up, #BraveQuilter. As part of the link party for April, my goal is to get this WIP top finished, so I have to decide on the border fabric. Something different than a plain border.