It's Applique Week!

If you've been following along and making the Schoolgirl Sampler quilt with me since January, you should be finished with all the blocks or pretty close to being finished by now. This week is Week 13 -  Applique Week! I'll show you how to do the center section in the file in the Facebook Sampler group. The same file is on my website under the Schoolgirl Sampler Sew Along page.  But please also read pages 12 -13 and 76 -77 in the book. The file contains other suggestions for making this section if you're not fond of applique. 

Applique is fun and if you haven't tried it, you're missing out. Sure, it takes a bit of practice but everything does. I designed this quilt with simple shapes so it wouldn't be that difficult if you're a first timer. 

Make sure you study the directions for starch and template applique in this week's file and practice making some leaves or peels. See if this is something you can do. If not, watch some videos on YouTube or experiment with a few different applique methods to find one that perhaps suits you better. All I can say is I dreaded the "A" word a few years ago. Could never do it well. A friend taught me how to applique this way and I never looked back. It's so easy and it sure saved me in making my Dear Jane quilt. 

Here are few extra Peony blocks from the Peony Star quilt in my book Remembering Adelia -

Easy prep

Toothpicks are your friends . . . .

Some other simple applique quilts from my books and patterns. It doesn't HAVE to be difficult to be cute. 

There are so many applique projects I want to make. Hoping to get to do more of them soon.

Here are a few of my favorite resources for learning applique -

 You can find the Applique Made Easy book on the left on Amazon ridiculously cheap. It's an older book, but still great. Kim Diehl's book has some good freezer paper and wool applique directions. The DVD on the bottom by Karen Kay Buckley is excellent. A bit pricey but definitely a game changer for me. It's like taking a private class. That you can revisit again and again. While you're at it, pick up some of her Perfect Circles -

Have a good weekend! If I got you thinking about maybe learning to do some applique, practice making some peels, leaves or hearts. Once you conquer a few basic shapes, you can do just about anything . . . . 

                       

The Sew Along Continues . . . .

I know, I know! I've been extremely remiss in my blogging obligations for a few weeks. Again. It's difficult to come up with inspirational things to write at times. As they say, I'd rather be quilting . . . . 

(This week's blocks brought to you by Sue Bennett)

If you're following along, we're on Week 10 and you'll be making blocks 55 - 60 this time. There are tips in the files I've been uploading each week and rereading some of them may help if you get stuck. If you can't download the files in the online groups, go to my website and check there. 

I can't believe we're almost finished making all the blocks. This really hasn't been too difficult, has it? I can't believe some of the beautiful blocks I've seen posted on Facebook.  All the wonderful fabric choices! Here are a few for you to drool over - 

 Charlotte's blocks

Charlotte's blocks

Karen's blocks

Karen's blocks

Marian's blocks

Marian's blocks

Jennifer's blocks

Jennifer's blocks

Robin's blocks

Robin's blocks

Jeanne's blocks

Jeanne's clever take on Block 35!

Ann's blocks

Ann's blocks

As for me, I've been making some really good progress on my Dear Jane triangles. The top triangles are done and I hope to finish up all the ones on the right side of the quilt this weekend. Still have a few hearts to applique  before I complete everything on that side. Saved the best for last! 

A few mistakes here and there. Oops, not going back. A few tweaks as well to  make it easier instead of frustrating. You never know if a block is actually going to turn out okay when you finish. I breathe a huge sigh of relief if it all comes together in the end. But all in all I think they're pretty good. Don't tell anyone, but sometimes I skip the little extras things that Jane included that I think really don't matter. Like a miniscule appliqued triangle here and there. Who's to know?? The Dear Jane Police??  

Those of you who have started and not finished yet or who want to make this quilt -  Do you know about this page? I follow many of her tips for making my blocks and they're very helpful. When I first started my DJ quilt, Brenda Papadakis, who wrote the book, used to have a Dear Jane website with all sorts of tips and tricks to help you make the blocks. Those are gone now and so you're basically on your own if you try to start. If I didn't also have the software I'd probably be stuck quite a bit. That Quilt is a very good resource and has made my journey a little easier. She breaks each block down into simple parts. (Well, okay, maybe they're not all simple but at least understandable . . . .) Just thought some of you would like to know this if you haven't run across it yet.

Here's even more inspiration for you. Marian Edwards finished her Dear Jane quilt recently. Can you believe how beautiful it is?  All hand pieced and hand quilted. Whew. Congratulations, Marian! You did a fantastic job. 

Have a good weekend!