Apple Orchard Project

It's here.

Continuing on with my quest… to use more of my stash fabrics, I attempt new ways to create interesting strip-pieced applique. Being passionate about machine fused applique, I continue to incorporate this idea into my own designs. So here is my second design: APPLE ORCHARD to showcase some larger applique elements and add bold colors into the design. Will this inspire you to use your own stash fabrics?

As tulips may remind you of the rebirth that spring provides, picking apples takes us into autumn which is a special time of year to harvest the bounty of the growing season.

A BASKET OF APPLES

Create your own apple orchard using pieced-fabric appliques and an interesting pieced background using 2-1/2” wide strips. Add bold colors for the borders; and quilt it as desired.

Why not try this charming wall-hanging to brighten a corner of a room to remind you of the blessings of our world.  And when the weather gets colder, can’t you already smell an apple pie baking in the oven?

So... with this quilt, I have used:

• 2-1/2" wide strips to create the background for the appliques. This allows one to use smaller pieces of fabric, fat quarters, or ready-cut jelly rolls. 
• 1-1/4" wide strips to create more pieced-fabric appliques that add a stunning look.
• High contracting fabrics to frame the project, for an exciting finish that will make this quilt come to life.

JUICY RED APPLES

APPLE ORCHARD QUILT -- 17" x 36"

For more on this project, you'll find it in the pattern details. It's available at my Craftsy store now. Creating beautiful quilts is really quite easy. So, why not revisit your stash fabric supply to see what you can make.

An apple a day...  be in good health!!

Playful Tulips Project

It's here!

Going on another quest… to use up more of my stash fabrics, I discovered how much fun it was to make stunning strip-pieced applique. 

Being passionate about machine fused applique, I wanted to incorporate this idea into my own designs. So here is my first design: PLAYFUL TULIPS to showcase some bright and colorful pieced-fabric appliques. It’s such a great way to bring renewed interest in your own stash fabrics.

Flowers bring us so much cheer; and who doesn't love the TULIP for it brings to us the promise that spring will soon be here again! Peeking out from under the snow, it truly is a delightful sight!

So whether spring is soon to appear in your part of the world, or it still feels like a distant memory; this may be the perfect project to make to brighten your home, or to make as a gift, to bring cheer to someone you love.

I generally use darker colors for background fabrics; however, this one may be the exception because I wanted to contrast this changeover in seasons, with how it looks in real life. Here the snow is represented in white; and the colorful bulbs that burst forth with enthusiasm; are showcased in bright colors using the pieced-fabric technique.

  

Why not try this delightful table runner to celebrate the promise of spring, or to brighten up your living space at any time of year?

PLAYFUL TULIPS -- 15" x 45"

PLAYFUL TULIPS DISPLAYED ON CABINET

This pattern is now available at my Craftsy store. Wish to check it out then click HERE.

Spread joy with flowers!

What's in a String?

In quilting, a scrap piece of fabric that is less than 1.5” in width is referred to as a string; and generally ends up in the trash. 

However, if these colorful leftovers are sewn together with an imaginative mind; they can really add to the creation of more quilts. Many beautiful projects are a result of this creative process!

Quilters are very fascinating people, and somewhat mysterious, too.  Why you say? Because why would anyone purchase perfectly good fabrics and then take them home to cut up into small pieces!  And, then sew them back together, again…

However you may look at this strange phenomenon; from this development came the many varied techniques that make up the quilting world today. A truly great one, at that!

And for anyone that didn't know… quilters are also very environmentally conscious. In days gone by, all manner of fabrics were re-purposed into new items to wear and quilts to keep warm to stretch the meager resources, when necessity dictated this requirement. Today, fabrics are expensive; and why toss out new materials when they are too small for that next project. They may still have another usage and be spared ending up in the trash. Couldn't they?

This blog is all about those lowly scraps…. 

Thanks for stopping by, and checking out this new blog. Hope to see you soon; and I welcome your comments and input.

Awaken your imagination!