The Tiniest Bit of Slow Stitching

I happily share my tiny bit of slow stitching. Even a little bit of hand work is better than no hand work at all, right?

I have absolutely no idea how this applique posey will be used. Several years ago, I was just sorta' playing around with some EPP and made about a dozen of these in various color combinations. I then set them aside and moved on to hexies for a quilt that did have a plan - Grandmother's Flower Garden. 

Once all those GFG hexie flowers were made, I felt I needed to practice how I would applique them to a background. (I'd already decided that I wasn't using more hexies to join my flowers.)

For practice, I used these little posies. It has been fun - and easy - and I am now considering how I might end up actually using these little pretties. A table topper? Doll quilt? Wall hanging? Sides of a pouch or a bag?

 

So that is the extent of my Slow Sunday Stitching. Even a little bit goes a long way to resting one's brain and easing one's stress. I will link up with Kathy and her weekly slow stitching gang. I am sure there will be many inspiring offerings on display! 

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Revisiting Lake Effect

I have taken a brief hiatus from Lake Effect in recent weeks (months), and I finally find myself in the mood once again to tackle some of the applique for my one remaining panel. 

It occurs to me as I pull this back out that so very many steps are involved in applique. Trace the design onto the back of the panel; cut the shapes; back-baste shapes to panel; trim shapes; applique. This is a brief summary of the steps. Left out are decisions about fabric colors, thread colors, layering correctly (does the leaf go on top of the stem or behind the stem?) and neat workmanship on the actual appliqueing step.

Back of panel; bird fabric stitched to front.

Front of panel; two berries ready, as well.

Trimmed and ready for appliqueing.

The steps to this point are rather hum-drum, and maybe that's why I get so tired of working on this quilt. What comes next is the real stitching of those elements in place over that vine/stem. It is pleasurable work because it actually means it's done. And big shapes like the redbird are so nice, as they have few tricky curves and take up a lot of space. These leaves will be equally fun to do for those same reasons.

Three leaves prepped; back view.

Front view of leaves.

Trimmed and ready for appliqueing in place.

Because I grow impatient and want a fast finish, I stop work on this - my so-called Ten Year Project - and work on other things that come together faster. I do still want this quilt, however, and I intend to finish it. No pressure! I still have 6 years to meet that 10-year mark! *chuckle*

I am linking to Kathy's blog and her Slow Sunday Stitching party. I've not stopped by there for awhile, so go with me and have a look around!

Happy Quilting, Friends!

 

Back Basting More Leaves

In amongst all the fun summer activities, I have actually found some stolen moments for hand stitching. The project is still Lake Effect, of course, and bit by bit I am attaching all the leaves on my viney panel.

Discovering the back-basting technique has been a true game-changer for me. I no longer dread the prospect of stitching these panels, and I am actually seeing improvement on some of my more recently finished sections when compared to those first bits I did last summer.

Getting the panel ready for stitching takes some doing, however. Above, the loosely-cut leaf shapes are attached to the panel with thick, dark thread. I have basted right on the traced lines which are on the back of the panel. The reason for using thick thread is important. When stitching, those basting threads are removed a few stitches at a time. I use the tell-tale line of the basting stitches as my guide for where to turn under my raw edge. Of course, the reason for using dark thread is simply to see it better. *wink*

 

But before any of the actual stitching can begin, those loosely-shaped leaves need to be trimmed down close to the basting stitches. Also, corners and curves must be clipped and notched. By taking a close look at the photo above you'll see that two of the leaves have been trimmed, notched, and clipped. Those are ready to be stitched.
 

These final two photos show my little pile of cut-away trimmings. This technique requires precision cutting with sharp, pointed scissors. 

As I often do, I am linking up with Kathy and her Slow Sunday Stitching bash. Go have a look to see what everyone is working on.

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Back Basting

 It has been awhile since I spoke about how to do applique with the back basting method. By no means am I an expert, but I am finding success with applique, which previously was a skill I would avoid at all costs. 

My breakthrough came in two moments which occurred almost simultaneously. First, I admired my friend Becky's beautiful applique and learned that she uses the back basting method. She explained the method, shared some tips, and encouraged me to try it. Within a day or two, almost as if destiny intervened, I chanced across a video on Instagram by the very talented Jeana Kimball, in which she provided a step-by-step tutorial on the method.

Since I am beginning the leaf appliques on one of my panels, I thought I'd go ahead and share the prepping steps. Almost any time I mention back basting, I get comments and questions about it. Hopefully this will help someone.

Prior to what you see in this photo, I have pencil-traced my entire design on the back of my panel. I have already stitched the vine/branches, which is faint but visible on the left. For leaves, I cut big shapes out of my desired fabrics and pin them over the traced leaves. It is essential to leave ample turning-under fabric, so cut larger than you need.

When you know which leaf you want to work on, move the fabric to the front of the panel. I hold my fingernail on the widest parts of the leaf to make sure I am leaving enough fabric for turning under and adjust accordingly. Pin in place.

Return to the back of the panel, and with very dark, mismatched thread, run a basting stitch on the leaf outlines. In the photo above, you can see that I have three leaves basted. This is where we get the term back basting. The next picture shows how the front looks when basted. The leaf shows because you've used that mismatched thread. Note that I am really cutting that one leaf edge close (at about the 10 o'clock point), but I think I can make it work. It will still look like a leaf if I have to come in a bit at that point, right?

Next, trim around all the shapes to remove the excess fabric. As I applique, I will trim more closely on the curves, notching or clipping as needed.

Now I am ready to stitch these three leaves. As I get some done, I will take pictures and do a follow-up on the stitching and finishing part of the process.

I sure hope this simplifies the back basting method for you. I learned it as the result of two accomplished quilters helping me along; I hope this will do the same for you!

Linking up with Kathy's Quilts in just the nick of time! Check out her weekly feature Slow Sunday Stitching!

Happy Monday! 

And Happy Quilting, Friends!

Slow Sunday Stitching

I'll be honest - I'm not slow stitching today. It is just too gorgeous a spring day to be sitting indoors working on applique. 

No, the new work I am sharing here was done on Friday morning when I met at Becky's house with the Frankfort Girls. We always have handwork to do when we have these Friday morning gatherings, and I am fairly consistent about bringing this applique from my long-term Lake Effect project.

I've gushed quite a bit about how much my attitude toward applique has changed since learning the back-basting method. Well, even though I am growing accustomed to this method, I will admit another thing: I got pretty sloppy on some of my work Friday morning. I do not plan to undo and restitch, but I am going to commit to being more careful, especially on curves. I don't want to be embarrassed because of sloppy workmanship.

I am linking with Kathy's Quilts for her weekly party.

Before I sign off, I will mention something I should have included in the last post. Not only was it the first day of spring (yay!), but it was also International Quilting Day. Now, I do try to celebrate quilting every day, but a day to honor and recognize the art of quilting is special! I honored the day by sewing, cutting and pressing about 140 HSTs. Whoo-hoo!!

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Slow Stitching on Lake Effect

 I bring the same stuff every Sunday; what can I say? I really do slow stitch on Lake Effect.

This photo shows a very good view of the basting stitches (in dark thread) that form the vine I am appliqueing. The method is known as "back-basting" and affords the most success I have ever had with applique.

Looking at the back of the panel, one can see that the design has been traced out. I used my big dining room window as a makeshift lightbox. Then I cut my vine fabric the same size as the panel (yes, there will be waste). I layered the two fabrics together, the vine fabric right side up on the back of the tracing. Then I used big stitches and dark thread to stitch along the design of the vine. Where you no longer see dark stitches, I have appliqued the design, so my light-colored stitches are visible.

So, back basting = baste the design on the back, turn it over to applique from the front.

It is easier than any other method of applique I have ever attempted. The trick is to cut away just 8 or 10 stitches of basting at a time - just enough to give your needle room to work the folding-under process.

The best teacher of this method, in my opinion, is Jeana Kimball. I found her on Instagram, and she did a few videos awhile back that were incredibly helpful. Maybe you can dig them up if you are interested in learning the method.

Have a great day, friends! And have a productive week! 

I am linking with all the stitchers over at Kathy's Quilts for her weekly Slow Sunday Stitching party. Her motto for the day: "Relieving Stress One Stitch at a Time."

Happy Quilting, Friends!

 

Slow Stitching; Still Lake Effect

I tried calculating the length of time I have been working on this quilt. It was on my radar in April of 2017 because I bought the fabrics for it in Jackson while we were on our Canter's Cave Retreat.  So I am coming up on a 4-year anniversary for Lake Effect, a project that I call a 10-year project in jest, knowing that it will be one of those long-haul quilts. I am trying to stay reasonably well-focused on it.

 Here's a picture of my pattern with some additional marks indicating the areas I have been working on since early autumn. Not overly zealous with my efforts, but I do return to it periodically.

Today I hope to finish this last bit of stitching on the vine for this panel. The black basting stitching indicates the remaining applique needing done. I am almost ready to begin on the leaves and berries! 

Here's a larger view of the area I have been working on this past week. I am slow; I don't pick it up every day, and will sometimes go for several days before getting back to it. 

 I had quite a few of those deep concave curves in this last section and I do believe I am getting better at them. I am not as fearful and reluctant when encountering them, which proves the point we all know - practice makes perfect; well, I am not anywhere near perfect, but improving.

I will link up with the fine friends in the Slow Sunday Stitching party over at Kathy's Quilts. She is celebrating Valentine's Day by sharing many of the little quilts she's made over the years to celebrate the day. I will add a celebration of my own; I found that Fat Quarter Shop offers several free patterns for Valentine's Day. I found one that I liked and you might, too.

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Slow Sunday Stitching

 Slow stitching this week involved my getting back to focusing on Lake Effect. This quilt will only get done if I work on it. I take far too many weeks off.

I love to do back-basting applique when the lines are nice and straight or gently curving, like the picture above. It goes fast; I don't have to work hard or concentrate. The black stitching is the other side of the stem or vine that I am appliqueing. Stitching big stitches like this leaves a dotted line where the applique stitches will go. I cut away about 5 of the black stitches, and the same amount of top fabric. Then with my needle fold under the seam allowance and stitch on the dotted lines left by the basting thread.

Now, deep curves still give me troubles, so when I get to sections like the next two pics show, I have to be fussy and take my time.

One little branch protruding off the main vine. Do you see the black basting stitches on the top of the vine? Lots of little protruding branches. Yippee.

This picture shows more deep curves created by those branches. I guess I am getting better at it, but I am glad I am not making anything more involved than this, you can bet your bottom dollar!

I am linking up with the Slow Sunday Stitching party over at Kathy's Quilts. I am heading over there now to check out the projects. Hint: it features a celebration of embroidery!

Have a great Sunday and a fantastic week!

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Lake Effect Update

Since January is the month to take stock and organize things for the year ahead, I figured I'd better do just that with an old WIP (work in progress) that has sorta' been off my radar in recent weeks.

Lake Effect is a quilt I began in 2017. I have been digging through old posts to find this one in which I detail shopping for the fabrics. So sometime before April 2017, I had seen the Minick and Simpson pattern and had determined that I would make this quilt. The last time I wrote about Lake Effect was here; you can see the pattern and my early work on the appliqued border.

Now that we are up to date on this WIP's history, let's see what I am stitching this fine day.

Strange-looking appendage there  - it is a branch of a limb. This is a small portion of a long, thin vining-type border in this quilt. If you clicked on the earlier links, you saw that the pattern has a prominent applique center and border. Vowing to complete these appliqued sections were instrumental in my giving myself 10 years to finish the quilt. I know me: I procrastinate even more than usual when the task is less than enjoyable.

I have always claimed that applique was definitely not my favorite thing to do, but this pattern was going to force me to apply myself and learn how to do it. Then I found a method called "back basting" and gosh, did my opinion of applique change! Quilting friend Becky uses this method and in addition to demonstrating the technique for me, she recommended following the work of well-known quilter and teacher Jeana Kimball (find her on Instagram or Facebook). Talk about a game-changer.

I have one long panel finished, and have just begun this second long panel. Then there will be two smaller panels to tackle. But I think I am ahead of schedule, assuming I am still shooting for the 10-year deadline. I would like to think that I will finish way ahead of that.

It has been awhile since I last linked up with Kathy's Quilts and her Slow Sunday Stitching party, so why not click on over there to see the lovely projects from some other quilters and seamstresses.

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Hello, Old Friend

 In the hubbub of summer activities, Lake Effect has gotten lost in the list of objectives to complete. Now, with winter coming on, I find myself in need of hand stitching for long, dark evenings, and this will fill that time quite nicely.

I have completed the applique on the center panel as well as the top and bottom of the inner border. The next step is to tackle those longer sides of the inner border. (See arrows.)

A few days ago, I taped the template and fabric to the window and traced on the design. I have been using the back-basting method with a good deal of success, so I definitely will continue with this method of applique. 

The first element to go on is that long, undulating vine with the wonky branches. I have the pieces cut and ready to stitch in place. While it results in quite a bit of waste, it's the best way I can think of to get the stem element on there. And the sole reason I bought the fabric was for this purpose, so I won't think about the waste. After it's all cut away, I will take the scraps and cut salvageable squares, so not all will be lost.

Click here and here to see the finished center panel and in-progress upper/lower border.

That's all for today, peeps! Cloudy and dreary, today; more like November is supposed to be. We have had the most beautiful stretch of 70-degree days and I have done my best to appreciate them. Blessings, for sure!

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Lake Effect Update

I don't often bring you updates on Lake Effect because all the work I do looks exactly like the last bazillion pictures I shared. My work is slow and steady, and seems never to make inroads toward completion, but it IS happening, trust me.

The last I did on this was Friday when all the Frankfort Girls met at Helen's house. I am appliqueing the vines which appear on the inner panel and middle border of Lake Effect. This step intimidated me immensely until I learned a wonderful applique technique called back-basting. It has changed my long-held opinion of applique, and I can see myself getting more and more proficient. My most difficult aspect is turning those deep curves. There always seems to be a frayed bit that won't behave.

It has been awhile since I last shared this project, so let me run a picture of the pattern here, and then some pictures of my earlier work.

I am linking up with the ever-gracious Kathy at Kathy's Quilts for her weekly installment of Slow Sunday Stitching. Some of the featured blogs cover all manner of handwork - quilting, piecing, cross stitching, knitting, and more. Have a look!

Happy Quilting, Friends!