Happy 3.141592653 [Pi] Day!

Today, 3.14.15, is Pi Day. Pi, the Greek letter Π, is the symbol for the mathematical ratio between a circle's circumference and its diameter, or 3.141592653… (carried out to a trillion+ digits past the decimal point). At 26 minutes and 53 seconds after 9 am (or pm), the date and time will represent the first 10 digits of Pi.

Let's celebrate Pi Day looking at the use of circles in quilting and the fiber arts.

"Blue Rhino Moon"

Dresden plate (detail) from "Moon Garden."

Here is my quilt, "Pi E² [Exponentially Embellished]" that you read read about in the post, and its HMQX win in this post.

"Pi E² [Exponentially Embellished]"

Appliqué

Table runner using 5" charm squares by Blank Quilting Corp.

Appliqué quilt.

Fusible appliqué with Peppered Cottons by StudioE Fabrics.

"So Easy Dresden" class

From "Fillers, Spillers and Thrillers" free-motion quilting class.

From "Circle in a Square" reverse appliqué class.

Circles fabric prints

Lining for a zippered purse. Fabrics by Blank Quilting Corp.

Silk screened print on silk.

Mono-print with fabric inks.

Fabric inks in preparation for marbling on fabric.

Quilting designs

Free-motion quilting (back of quilt).

Free-motion quilting.

"Lola" quilting detail.

Free-motion quilting (back detail).

Free-motion quilting.

Trapunto with free-motion machine stippling—pebbles design.

Circular LED lights shine in the centers of these felted flowers.

Felted e-textiles by Geri Forkner.

This fabric bowl is created with a spiral of fabric-covered rope.

Fabric bowl. Striped fabric by Blank Quilting Corp.

Antique quilt

Antique quilt.

Quilting inspiration. Nature is full of circular motifs.

Spiderweb outside my studio.

"A" is for Applique

Learn appliqué! It's not as scary as you might have heard.
My pattern for these sweet funky flowers is included in the class.
[Fabrics used in this piece are all by Blank Quilting Corp.]

Many quilters say they don't do "the A word."

"A" stands for "Appliqué" and it's really not the scarlet letter that some make it out to be.

Look at these cheery flowers. They don't look intimidating, do they? Applique is a wonderful complement to patchwork and quilters can achieve some amazing results in their compositions with this technique.

I'm teaching a Beginning Appliqué class this coming Tuesday, February 10 at Pins and Needles Quilt Shop.

Join me for this class and I'll tell you the reasons why I like this particular method of appliqué and I'll show you how you can do it by hand and by machine. 

Options are always a good thing!

Applique on a rainy day

Color was blooming at my recent Beginning Appliqué class. There's nothing like being inside working with fabric, thread and stitch when it's cloudy, cool and rainy outside.

Applique flowers by hand and by machine.

Everyone takes a class for a different reason. I had a couple brand new quilters who were jumping into whatever quilting technique class was available. They just want to learn, learn, learn.

Here I am telling students about composition possibilities
for their appliqué garden quilted piece.

Especially with appliqué—which can be accomplished using so many different methods—some students come to learn a different way of doing a technique. Having a variety of techniques in your quilting toolbox and at your disposal is very handy indeed.

Students in Beginning Applique class at Pins and Needles Quilt Shop.

Some students want to learn a hand method to complement their machine work. Sometimes we just enjoy the rhythm of hand stitching and the quiet times without the hum of a sewing machine.

Applique by machine.

And one sweet student said she was taking the class because I was the teacher. Oh, you dear, sweet lady, you are so kind! I hope the class and I lived up to your expectations.

Appliqué colorful Spring blooms that last year 'round

Want to enjoy a garden filled with bright, cheery Spring blooms without getting dirt under your fingernails? Here is a solution… Appliqué it!

Beginning Appliqué class: "Fantasy Garden"

This whimsical little quilt is a beginner level class project for my Beginning Appliqué class. I'll be teaching this class—both hand and machine methods—this coming Monday, April 7 at Pins and Needles Quilt Shop. Won't you come out and join me in the garden?

Because if you don't have this in your yard…

Quince and forsythia blooms.

or these...

Daffodils and hyacinths. 

you can create and grow these lovelies! And they will bloom all year 'round… (I promise!)

Applique flowers will grow anywhere!

Use this lime Candy Dots backing fabric by Blank Quilting and your garden will always be green and perky.

Free-motion quilting (back view).
Candy Dots wide backing (color: lime) by Blank Quilting.

If you want to learn how to do free-motion quilting with your home sewing machine, check my class calendar for upcoming classes.

Beginning Applique class.

New Applique quilt and class

New applique quilt class.

This quilt design has been in the works for a long time. I designed the appliqué blocks several years ago and was motivated to finish the design of the quilt because several of my Beginning Quilting students requested a class on appliqué.

So, here it is... an appliqué garden with mix and match fantasy flowers.

I'll be teaching this class, "How does your Appliqué Garden grow?" on September 19 and again on October 25 at Chattanooga Sewing. The technique I use can be done by hand or by machine. The flowers are detailed with a bit of hand embroidery as I like the mix of hand and machine stitching.

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I tested Superior Threads new So Fine #30 (formerly Brytes) polyester thread on this quilt. It appears mostly in the borders as a background fill. I was curious about this thread's performance so I used a color that blended with the fabrics.  This thread comes in 50 solid colors. I got a small selection of colors and took advantage of the introductory sale price (which I think goes through the end of this month, if you're interested). I used a 90/14 quilting needle (Superior recommends #100/16 topstitch) and Bottom Line in the bobbin. The threads worked like a champ. I'll be looking for a future project on which to use this thread as more of a focal point to really let it sing.

If you want to give appliqué a try, join me in class and see how your applique garden grows.