English Paper Piecing & Applique Rejoice!

A few weeks ago, I found a great product on Amazon...tested it and have been using it for applique foundation. It is a wee bit "outside the box" but works great for me. I've been glue (washable children's glue stick) basting applique shapes and hand stitching them together to create all kinds of applique shapes.

Even small items are working great (can you just spy the little bird's tail in the upper left corner of this photo?). What has been really wonderful is that I've been able to use this foundation and not have to sew baste anything! No freezer paper either! Plus, no REMOVING it after the applique shapes are sewn into place...because it starts out stiff enough to fold the fabric seam allowance over nicely; THEN, softens up when it is washed! How great is that!

Just so you know...I'm NOT getting any type of kick-back for this...just wanted to share a good idea! This is designed for use in machine embroidery hoops. It comes in sheets (see above Amazon.com writeup)...and in a large roll (see below Amazon.com writeup).

Then, today...while browsing on Pinterest I stumbled across a design in English Paper Piecing that I had not really seen before. I know...it's been around for ever but I've obviously been "under a rock" as or just didn't pay attention to all of the folks excited about Lucy Boston Quilt Block posts. Check these designs out (borrowed from Pinterest; these are not my work...just so you know THAT fact up front).

So, I'm thinking..."Why not cut the foundation sheets in this shape...glue-baste the fabrics on top (with seam allowance included)...then fold the seam allowance to the back and glue-baste them down) just as though they were applique shapes? All that is needed then is to sew them together in the fashion of English Paper Piecing (but no paper to remove later!!). 

I'm cutting out my shapes...and giving this a go! Will post later next week with the results. ;)

Totally Bummed Out!

While looking for a piece of "novelty" fabric this morning...I opened a box that had been sitting at the bottom of my storage cabinet for a while...thinking it was fabric. Nope, well almost...it was my Erin Russek "Jingle" quilt blocks and fabric. 

The reason that I'm bummed out is 1) I had forgotten about this project as it had been put away "only for a few weeks" as I begin working on my books (This was way back in 2012); 2) When my external drive crashed last year ALL of my free BOM block downloads from Erin's blog were on that drive; 3) The blog and Etsy shop of Erin's don't include this older pattern. 

I've sent her an email and hope that she still has the other block patterns and will sale them to me so I can finish up this project. 

Just when I think I'm over losing so many files...I find something that I "REALLY" need. Bummer!

Basic Machine Piecing Class Happening...

I've been having a wonderful time with the Basic Machine Piecing Class that I'm teaching at the local Community Center. New quilters and quilters that have stopped...but want to get back to it have made a nice little group of six ladies...all eager to learn! We are having a great time!

Retreat Time

Once a year...we have a special retreat. Anyone is welcome to attend...all you need to do is register and get yourself to the Reteat site near Cullman, AL during the dates of the retreat (24 through 27 April 2020)

We do everything else!

Cost is $350 and covers Lodging, All meals, 2-classes w/supply kits...a super deal!

{Classes this year are Stumpwork Dragonfly w/needlelace body & Applique Magic} I think you'll enjoy both of these classes.

Plus, there are gift bags for everyone and prize drawings throughout the Retreat.

Thearica is going to come and set up her CQ Shoppe again this year too...so be ready to shop for lace, trims, beads, charms, and so much more!

You do not have to do crazy quilts to attend...there is time for you to work on other projects (any type) if you like.

We drive up on Friday afternoon (or fly into Huntsville, AL and rent a car). Then we play with fabric Friday night, all day on Saturday, all day on Sunday...(and eat, eat, eat)...then after breakfast on Monday we head home.

So, if you fly...get flights on Friday morning...and Monday afternoon as the BEST times. We will of course work around anytime that you decide...and you'll need GPS to find the Red Rooster Retreat Center as they are located on a County Road in the farm country surrounding Smith Lake, outside of Cullman, Alabama.

Here's their website link: Red Rooster Retreats

If you are interested...just drop me an email at shaw.kathy@yahoo.com

Hugs!

Changes to YAHOO Groups

Good morning everyone...

Yahoo Groups is making HUGE changes to their platform. So, I'm forced to make huge changes to the SHAWKL Files Group site. In the next couple of days...Yahoo will "delete" all FILES from every group site.

SO, if you want the "retired classes"...best get over to Yahoo Groups (Shawkl Files) and finish downloading the ones you have been putting off.

I'll try to find a new site for these...but it will take some time to get that done. When it is, I'll post here on the blog to let you know where you can then get the older class information.

If you have not yet gotten around to joining the Yahoo Group (and now is it almost too late)...just scroll down until you see the rose at the RIGHT SIDE BAR. Click and request to join...I'll approve when the email comes to me...and you can then download all of the files. Don't delay...you only have about 2-3 more days before all is gone.

HUGS! 

Book Review: Heirloom Embroidery from Brian Haggard

Technically, this is a group of iron-on transfers...not so much a "book" although it is book format.

The transfer designs are all on single sided paper, so you just need to cut apart; press to fabric...and embroidery over the lines that appear then.

The designs are based on vintage quilt designs; but have a very modern and romantic feel to them. My only issue with the book (as with any iron on pattern) is that you have to live with the scale of the objects. So, the best way to use them is to plan your crazy quilt blocks "around" them...they become the main focus. You could also "re-imagine" them by adding silk flowers or buttons or such!

Also, it will be fun just to prepare a few pieces of fabric with these designs...and stitch. Later, they can be incorporated into blocks even if I don't know "what block" they will live within in at the moment. So, these would make really great quick take-along project ideas. A few skeins of floss, small embroidery scissors, needle book, and fabric with printed design...should fit into just about any size purse! I can see these being worked while waiting in the doctor's office (and don't you just ALWAYS have to wait)...or just sitting and listening during most any group meeting or function. If you have a few minutes...on a train, on a plane, in a car, at the bar (okay, maybe not at the bar)...ha! Dr Suess got to me for a moment...hugs!

Anyhow, this is a great collection...and has over 225 images for you to play with! Totally recommend it to all crazy quilters!

Book Review: The Storyteller's Sampler Quilt by Cinzia White

This is one hefty book...at about twice the width of most books these days. But, that extra space is needed to document the 359 block designs included in this catalog of inspiration! Each block is a tiny pieced wonder (most hand sewn due to their size). Each has a full size pattern and detailed diagram on how to pieced. None of these are overly complicated...but the bits are too small for my old eyes to want to actually sew. While the author hand pieced the blocks; she has included paper piecing instructions on many of them (which would make it easier to do these with a machine). There is some applique and some embroidery peppered throughout the blocks as well. 

While I will not be making this quilt, the book is so worth space on my shelf; and will remain there for years to come because it is so inspiring. Sometimes, I need books just to pull down and look at to remind me that when the "tedious" gets overwhelming, there are still OTHER quilts out there that are so much more detailed than the one I happen to be trying to finish at the moment...and while THEY were done...this one can be done too! A little "pep talk" to myself at times...ha!

Some of the blocks are very manageable, even using fabric strips or fabric with stripes rather than teensy parts. Also, many of the blocks within this quilt are designs that could be done in satin stitch embroidery...especially since the pieces ARE so small. It would be interesting to interpret several of them...af few dozen perhaps. That's going to be on my list of future idea projects as it is intriguing me and I have a vision of the results already. So, best begin a new Project Sheet for the idea before it leaves my head!

If you love small hand pieced projects this is certainly the quilt for you! If you just want to be inspired by the glorious work of other quilters, this is the book for you!

Applique Inspiration in Books!

I'm a huge fan of books...and can spend hours just browsing them and dreaming of things to create! This past week, I've been playing with some applique and that has caused me to pull several inspirational books from my shelves.

Thought you might like to get a quick look...and explanation of why I love these specific books.

Hand Applique with Embroidery, by Sandra Leichner - This first book is the source of the little rose & bird in the above project that I'm presently working on. It is a wonderful book. The author, combines embroidery...detailed embroidery...into her applique items. Not just the standard "stems and such" either...but in-depth additions to every applique piece that really makes her work awe inspiring!

Little Brown Bird by Margaret Docherty - Similar in style to a Baltimore Album type of quilt, this book documents the create of a single...amazing...quilt. The border alone makes me drool as I'd love to recreate this. It is "once in a lifetime" kind of project that I dream about working on. While I'm not a real fan of BA style applique quilts...this border just is the stuff of fantasy.

Floral Applique by Nancy A. Pearson - An older book but my first one that resulted in a love of applique. While no longer available unless you find a copy in a second hand book shop, it is a wonderful source of designs that are large enough for a beginner to attempt. I'm a fan of the style of applique and have used it to create my own "logo" for Shawkl Designs. 

Piece by Piece Machine Applique by Sharon Schamber - While this is a machine applique book...the preparation of the applique pieces is very similar to what I do myself today for hand applique. Just the method of attaching the applique to the fabric background is the real difference. So, the quilt in this book would be a very cool project to do by hand or hand/machine. The colors are vivid and just make me happy to sit and review the photos alone! Plus, Sharon is a "Master Quilter"...seriously, she has been awarded that title (one of few in the USA that has it)...so, what better source for a "how to" reference too!

Do you have favorite appliqué books? I'd love to know what they are...as I can always add to my library. Ha!

New Templates Available!

Embroidery Shape Templates

are here!

Note: Don't be confused...these are NOT the Stitch Templates that have sold out (we have those on back order and I'll post just as soon as they arrive back in stock).

These are NEW and will be the accompaniment to my next book "Dazzling Diamonds" which releases this spring (or before). They are not STITCH templates but rather are SHAPE templates. If you took the BCQC-101 course, you'll easily understand the difference. (and if you missed that class...check out "classes" under the top tab here on the blog for the schedule of courses to begin again next year). :)

This set is a grouping of 5 plastic marking stencils. Each one is 6 x 6 inches in size and contains a variety of shapes to trace...that then become Base Seams in crazy quilt blocks (or other crafts). Just embroider along your traced line to create...curved seams, Holbein seams, etc. There are plenty of seam ideas...PLUS an entire alphabet and numbers 0-9 to help "write" on blocks to embroidery over.

 Here's a seam design with a SHAPE as the base seam...the "curved" part. This would be drawn using these templates...than every thing is stitched on top. In this example the curves were done in Back Stitch..then wrapped in a second color. The French Knot flowers have 4mm ribbon leaves in Straight Stitch; and the large flower is a Woven Rose done in 7mm silk ribbon with 7mm silk ribbon leaves created in Japanese Ribbon Stitch.

Hoping we can keep these in stock...but not sure what the "demand" will so get yours soon! ;)

The template set is available at Creative Impressions and at my Etsy Shop.

Hand Applique like a dream....

I was so happy with the quality of the Clover silk threads that I posted about this week...that I jumped right into an applique project. It will be a wall-hanging...and while I can't share the entire look of it here is a beginning look just the same.

Working with silk threads for applique is the same difference as working with crochet cotton rather than rope! One is so much more pliable than the other...and easier to get into tight corners. The needle I like to use is a #10 milliners because it is thin but sturdy.

While my goal is always to have stitches that don't show at all...my eyes are not what they used to be so I do get a few tiny stitchers here and there. The silk makes this much forgiving than working with cotton...even the thinner 2-ply variety. These photos are REALLY close up, so from a normal distance the work looks even better. Ha, maybe I should stand across the room...and I'd be really happy then. :)

I hope Janet gets these up on her site at Creative Impressions soon! Or, just call her at 1-719-596-4860 to talk with her about which colors you need.

If you are wanting to begin an applique projects...select colors that match as close as possible to the color of your applique piece(s). But, if you want to economise...purchase a medium gray, light gray, and cream. These will be close enough to just about any color to hide sufficiently. Then buy a couple of colors each month..until you have the entire set! I'd go with black next...then greens (there are always leaves to applique)...and then work through each main primary color. 

Sweet Silks!

Just look at all of the beautiful colors! In this white basket, it reminds me so much of Easter and gathering brightly colored eggs. (But alas, we turned on the heat today here at home...so a far cry from Spring weather for sure).

So, I'll have to be content (VERY content) with having all of these pretties to keep me thinking of gorgeous flowers that can be re-created in embroidery as I hunt for my winter sweaters on this cool Autumn day. 

Plus, these are a MUST for hand applique work! They slide through fabric so wonderfully! I so enjoy stitching with pure SILK. If you need silk threads...I totally endorse Clover's brand. Really, Clover is such a great company (nope, not getting any kind of "kick back" to say that)...totally enjoy any product that I get made from this company. Their double needle-threader is one of my most favorite tools!

Silk thread is also great for making fishing lures too..so share this post with any lovers of fishing (friends/family). These specific spools by Clover are available at creativeimpressions.com (though not sure if Janet has them on her website yet...so, if not just give them a call and they can "hook you up". Ha, sorry couldn't resist a fishing pun. :)

with your fishing folks in t

70% Off Sale

This weekend is the Home Coming Football Game for our local high school...so, I'm celebrating with them by having a 70% off sale on my Etsy Shoppe.

ALL E-PATTERNS

&

ALL DOWNLOADs of IMAGES

So, if you do scrapbooking, embroidery, or quilt...join the celebration and get these while the sale is on.

Go Bulldogs!

:)

Where has time gone?

I don't know about you...but for me, this year is just flying by!

I was looking over the class schedule..and we only have ONE MORE COURSE for this year before "holiday season" stops my teaching for a few weeks.

(ICQC-104) Dimensional Motifs

15th-17th (October)

The ICQC-104 (Intermediate Crazy Quilt Course-104) is advanced motifs. It should be taken after the ICQC-103 is completed. This course included various motifs that include different applique methods, silk ribbon flower borders, dimensional applique and the creation of embroidery/beaded/printed slips.

Seriously, where has time gone? You may also be wondering what happened to the "usual" class that hits 5-7 each month for registration...well, this next month I'll be out of town on those days...so didn't add another BCQC-101 or BCQC-102 to the calendar. The BCQC-101 will begin again next year however...so no worried.

There is also a new course coming in January...and you can read all about that under the CLASSES TAB at the top...hugs! 

ICQC-106,, Vintage Victorian Style CQ Course is Open for Registration - 15-17 Sep 2019

This is an Intermediate level course.

We will be doing a "vintage reproduction style" crazy quilt block out of silk tie material (and/or cotton and silks). We'll be doing a planned block to get the hang of working with silks and fancy fabrics.

Then you will can proceed independently (with some instructions) to create a larger piece that is more "organic" than "planned". So, if you have been wanting to work up a project that is more indicative of 1800's projects...this is the class for you to get your feet wet in!

No photos...but there will be vintage style seams (no ribbon, no beads, no baubles). Embroidery is best done in silk cording or threads if you have them...but if now, cotton is fine.

Fabrics should be medium to heavy silk (not thin like for blouses). Silk ties at the local thrift or consignment store are the best for this block. PRINTS are needed, rather than solids...as prints will be part of the "learning" portion of this class.

Later, after the first initial block is finished...the last task is to step-out and design/create a larger project. Then, you can add solids to the mix of silk tie fabrics. Also, you can add other fabrics like wool, silk solid fabrics, cottons, etc. It will be YOUR creation; having gained some experience in the first half of the course.

Try to stay away from "modern" fabrics like dance costume type that are too shiny or too slippery...as these don't fit the "vintage style" we are striving for in this class.

Interested? If you have completed the BCQC-101 course...you can sign up. Just email me at shaw.kathy@yahoo.com....with your name, state/country, and email you want me to use for the class blog (and to send homework tasks if that is different).

Hugs!

Heads Up Class Folks!

ATTENTION NEW STUDENTS (AND EVERYONE ELSE)

Windows 10 update last night crashed my system...and now, I can't get the laptop to "recognize" my external drive...where all of my files are held.

So, have ordered a "fix" I hope...after spending all night (literally) trying different "help" suggestions...none of which worked.

Have un-installed the update...but same problem still exists.

So, have an old laptop...but will wait until the "fix" arrives from Amazon on Monday before I go that route.

So, if I can find an old email that has "your next task" in it...and can forward...then you will get a new task. If not...then you have to take a break until Tuesday.

But, meanwhile...after staying up all night working on this problem (literally...all night)...we had a family yard sale today..in the hot sun. So, I'm cranky, hot, tired, hungry...stinky...and need a shower, food, and sleep. That is my priority at present...so hope you understand if I don't talk more until tomorrow.

Hugs, to all...put your feet up and dream of future projects!

A Beautiful Surprise

Thanks MaryAnne Richardson! This gorgeous little fabric postcard arrived in the mail yesterday afternoon...inside an envelope for protection thankfully. It is one using my STITCH Templates and I adore the results! Thanks so very much MaryAnne for thinking about me!

Appreciate that it is "pink" too! Ha! You know me so well...it's almost scary!

ROFL!

Rose Bud Blocks Continued...

...finally all of the parts have been cut out. "Finally" because it seemed to take forever...but really, it took one afternoon to press the fusible/freezer-paper patterns to the fabric. Then, a weekend basically to cut them all out.

Now, I'm busy aligning and pressing them to the white background blocks. The stem lines are drawn on in pencil.

I'll be embroidering around each piece in perle green/red. Not sure if I'm going to like the stems in size 8 (which is what I'm using for the "around" stitching). Might need to find some size 5 in the same green color if possible. So, will go searching online...or drive to Hobby Lobby (about 30 miles) one day. We shall see....for now, it more pressing to get all 80 blocks ironed down.

This will be a great evening 'tv time' embroidery to work on...all Stem Stitch.

De-Stash Sale

Shawkl.net has new De-Stash photos...each baggie is $10...plus less than $4 shipping. Detailed photos show what is in bag...vintage linens, silkie prints, Czech glass button cabochons, cabochons, charms, lace motifs, lace trims, lace doilies, etc. Have fun!

Heads Up - Super Sale!

Heads Up...tune in to shawkl.net (Etsy Shop) at midnight...I'm de-stashing lace, silk fabric, doilies, cabochons, and printed silk images!

Serious Super Sale....limited number and first come.

Directions on items and payment post at midnight, CST!

Don't miss it!

Seriously, you'll be sorry that you did!

Hugs,

Edited to change: Sale begins NOON tomorrow, 8/16 CST