Monday 12 January 2009

De Je Vu?

Feels like I've done this before !

This is the second go-round for the Bunny Hill block . . . it's such a really fun block to do, so if you haven't given it a shot yet . . . go for it! They work up so quick and easy - you gotta try one.


I used fusible web for all of my shapes and then blanket stitched with as-close-to-matching thread that I had. I also made sure that I cut all my threads (front and back) long enough so that I could thread the front thread onto a needle and take it to the backside - then I just tied the back and front threads together in a beautiful little knot to secure everything in place. No one will ever see these and it will all get quilted down and no one will be the wiser.
Not sure if this how everyone else does it or not, but when I first started doing applique like this with just the machine back stitch, I wasn't happy with how insecure it looked, so now I go that little bit extra and feel much more confident that the stitches won't be coming out ten years from now. I didn't get this out of a "how-to" book, so if you have another way of doing it and would like to share, please let me know.
Some of my applique is done with the raw edge turned back (freezer paper method) and then invisible stitched to the main fabric, but in this particular BOM I felt I wanted something just a bit quicker so this was the method of choice for this quilt. Either way I'm convinced it's going to be a beautiful little quilt and my husband says that he likes the first block better because the second one is "girly" . . . that's just what I had planned . . . so I guess I'm on the right track!
As far as the gremlins from the previous post, I checked my blog this afternoon and found the blue background/edges were back . . . how did that happen? The weird part is that it kept the green centre from the blogger one that I had put in yesterday! Em . . . blue and green . . not sure about that so I'll have to do more research on how to get things moved around again.
'til next time,
M.
PS: Just in case you haven't chosen a BOM yet this year, stop by Gail Pan Designs and check out her new nine month BOM - piecing and embroidery I think . . . looks very interesting!
PSS: Also check out the Great Summer Mystery Quilt from Helen that's just nicely got underway also.
Lots to see and do out there . . . so get out there and see and do!
M.

3 comments:

Quilter Going Bananas said...

I think I like this one better Marlene! I'm going to print off the instructions tomorrow and do it.

Pieced Pastimes said...

I like both of the blocks. Your latest version has a nice 30's look to it. When I machine applique, I use a locking stitch (a tiny stitch that is repeated back and forth several times)at the start and stop of each piece. I have never had a problem with insecure stitches.

free indeed said...

Thanks for even the little tidbit of information you gave on this BOM. I've also seen it and would love to do it....I've never done a BOM, never done fusible applique and super little of regular applique so have been dragging my feet. Think I'd like to try the fusible just so I don't get bogged down and left behind! I always wondered how well the fusible holds after several washings...does it ever start to fray or come 'unglued'? What's your experience?