Bloggers Quilt Festival

It's Bloggers Quilt Festival time again thanks to Amy's Creative Side!

I'm entering my quilt into the Applique Quilts category.

http://amyscreativeside.com/2014/10/24/bloggers-quilt-festival-fall-2014-edition/

Several years ago; I took a class to learn a new applique technique called "Back Basting". We started with Baltimore Album blocks. I took me over one year to do nine blocks. When it came time to put the borders on
I realized that I didn't buy enough white on white fabric and by that time the fabric was out of print. And so the quilt top sat in my closet for a long time.




Until the beginning of 2014 I decided to complete some of my WIP. I decided to take part of the Baltimore blocks apart and make individual Wall Hangings out of three of them. I have other plans for the rest of the blocks.

The "Rose Wreath with Red Birds" is one of my
favorites. A truly Traditional Block dated 1854, it can be found in  "Baltimore Beauties  and Beyond" Volume One by Elly Sienkiewicz.

I used needle turned applique along with the back basting method for all of the pieces. I find that using YLI silk threads are best for
needle turn applique - it seems to make your stitches almost invisible.


(If you're interested in learning the back basting method there is a very good easy to follow tutorial By Sentimental Stitches)

After taking this block apart from the others; I thought that it could use ...something. so I decided to  hand embroidered around the turquoise flowers and center hearts using a simple blanket stitch. I think it gives it a little more texture and interest.

To keep with tradition this quilt is hand quilted with straight line quilting on the diagonal. Also, some echo quilting around the leaves and flowers.

The binding is done the Sharon Schamber way. You can find her video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2hWQ5-ZccE  HERE

After the binding was done I needed to add a sleeve. There are many tutorials on the internet but my favorite
is Susan Brubaker Knapp's
http://wwwbluemoonriver.blogspot.com/2007/07/how-to-make-quilt-sleeve.html

I am very happy with the way this wallhanging came out - it measures 20' x 20' and would certainly brighten up any space.

Many Many beautiful quilts in this
festival - Hope that you'll go and 
take a look!

Sketch Book Challenge and BOM

I'm almost caught up with Dawn's BOM
"Folk Art Tribute"

Block One

Again, I'm only using what's in my stash. For Block
One I used the freezer paper on the back. I'm also
using YLI Silk thread for the applique. I love the
way the thread just blends in with the fabric.
The red fabric is Heritage Square by Kathy Schmitz
for Moda.

Block Two

For Block Two I'm using the freezer paper on top.
This is my least favorite method because I personally
find it harder.

For the cherries; I used Karen Kay Buckley's
Perfect Circles templates. I'd be lost without them.


I used Fusible Web for the star (-:
I had this fabric for awhile it's Blackbird Village
Quilts by Kathy Schmitz for Moda. I love it!

I then skipped Block 3 and went on to Block 4
because I wanted to do the weather vane first.

Block four

I decided to do the back basting method.
It was easier and faster for me to use this method
on this block.

I searched and searched through my stash to
find a fabric that would coordinate with what
I was working with. This was a fat quarter and
there was no name on it.

Block Three

Block Three is all cut out and ready to stitch.

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Have you heard of the Sketch Book Challenge?
See my side bar----------------->

It will begin on January 1st and each month
there will be a theme.

As I already have......

Almost all of the supplies; I thought that I
would join in. It sounds like it's going to fun
and there will be tips, techniques and tutorials!
I could sure use those! Hopefully I will also learn
how to be more organized.
Please visit the web page for more info.

My Pages (under the banner) will be changed
periodically - please check them out.