Sunny Floral Applique Quilt Online!

All 12 applique blocks for the Sunny Floral Applique Quilt are now online!

I, personally, have finished the first three blocks (pictures are on the Web pages and also scattered on the blog) using the button-hole applique technique and am working on the fourth block. The instructions for the last few blocks aren't as detailed as I like, so they will be fleshed out when I begin appliquing each. Particularly the more difficult blocks, with a lot of layering.

I haven't yet decided whether to make it using the straight setting (shown above) or on-point, shown to the right. Which do you like best? I may just let my readers decide!

I've decided to give this quilt to my sister for Christmas (or maybe her birthday in November), so I'm putting the pedal to the metal!

So many quilting projects to do, so very little time!

Sunny Floral Applique Quilt Update

Blocks 1-9 are now online!

Sunny Floral Applique Quilt

Handkerchief Quilt

I am currently working on a commissioned, antique handkerchief quilt. My client didn't mind if the handkerchiefs were cut, so here's my block idea. I'm calling it, "Crossing Time". I am using my very favorite method of applique, the button-hole technique.

Instructions for making this quilt will be online within the next few weeks!

I also have a second block, based on the same method of cutting. Sort of. Instead of cutting the handkerchiefs into quarters half-way through the hanky, I also cut each hanky into quarters, diagonnally. This newly cut, handkerchief corner is centered onto the edge of the background and appliqued into place. A sample is shown below, but a block photo will follow when the instructions are released. As you can see, when cut half-way, it creates a "cross" effect. When cut diagonally, it creates an "x" effect.

Rose and Buds Applique Pattern Online

Block 4, Rose and Buds, of the Sunny Floral Applique Quilt series is now online.

Enjoy!

Three-Part Rose Block Finished!

The three-part rose is a very simple block to applique. Again, I've chosen the button-hole applique technique, as this is my favorite method and is also block three of the Sunny Floral Applique Quilt design.

If you're making this quilt along with me, I would love to hear about and see your photos! You can e-mail them to me (I can post them here if you give me permission) if you wish.

Happy quilting!

Goodbye Needle-Turn, Hello Button-Hole!

This past week I have been so frustrated that I've dreaded quilting and put off working on the Sunny Floral Applique quilt. Why? Simple. I had forgotten how much I hate to needle-turn!

On Friday, I concluded that clenching my teeth, tightening my shoulders, getting a stress-headache, and the pain in my neck just wasn't going to cut it. And I wasn't even half finished with the first block, Mexican Rose!

Once I came to the conclusion that needle-turn must go and button-hole must come to my aid, I literally breathed an audible sigh of relief. That made me laugh, as that was the very second that I realized how much I hate needle-turning.

Quilting should be fun. Not stressful. Ya think?