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.