Some of This, Some of that

Because of my arthritis, can do very little hand quilting. Can only afford to do about 15 minutes a day before my hands start feeling it.  Now working on next to the last border - a sort of water lily.

One thing I can still do is machine quilt - this can be 15 - 20 minute sessions, so a bit more progress per day. That center motif had to be marked on the back - too dark to be able to see the marked lines otherwise.

I've added another border to my WIP #3 and finished all the rows for WIP #1.  I hope to show you both completed tops at the next WIPs Be Gone which you can still link to here.

Till Friday, blessings,

WIPs Be Gone

Almost no de-stashing as I have been working on projects that need to be finished - or quilted.  I did use about a fat eighth for two SS blocks, but I'll add that to next week's total.  For this year I have another finish - WIP #4 is done. I made the top in September, 2015. Then got sidetracked -trip, broken hip, arthritic hands - life. It's a neonatal quilt 30"square.

I chose my border for WIP#3 and have one outside border done (as seen on my design wall):

Thanks for your input - online and otherwise.  Also got another two rows finished on WIP #2. I'm linking to some parties - see tab above.

Now it's your turn. Would love to see what you're working on, 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

Blessings,

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!