Fiber Babble: Before and After

Before and After

February 24, 2011

"Right answer, Jones." "White Lies" by Jayne Ann Krentz ♦♦♦♦◊

Well, seriously? I spent a good portion of Sunday at my machine (Waldo), sewing down fusible applique shapes. Not nearly all of the fused shapes that need sewing, but two whole projects.

But what happens when you sew along the edges of appliques with clear or matching thread? You can't see the stitching from more than 12" away. So essentially I spent hours doing something and I don't have anything to show for it!

Oh, woe is me, drama-drama-drama.

There, I feel better.

So even though you probably can't see what I did, here's what I did.

Before

After

I sewed down the gingerbread men on Gingerbread Toss, using brown thread. I used a narrow and long zig-zag.

This is not my picture, I found it on flickr!

Normally I'd use a blanket stitch on applique shapes as large as the gingerbread men. Waldo does a wonderful blanket stitch. Well, at least he used to until I took him in and mistakenly had the service people remove the plain blanket stitch from the electronic library but leave the 'double' blanket stitch. The 'double' is apparently what (internationally known quilter) Ricky Tims uses; as the title suggests, it's twice over everything. Fine if I want it to be a part of the design, not so wonderful if I want something more subtle.

Hey, look! I also sewed down the appliques on Bella Rosa Babies!

This is a new one for you all. I found the pattern at the distributor's warehouse. Bosslady bought up all they had. Pam made a sample, Bosslady taught a class or two and we kitted up the rest of the patterns. (Later I found more patterns & scooped them up, but all but one kit is gone already!)

When Pam made the sample I fell in love with it even more. I always say, "You won't know if you don't ask", so I asked: "Pam, what are you going to do with the sample when it comes off the wall?" "Pam, if you decide to keep the sample, I'd be happy to buy it from you." "Pam, I sure love that sample. Have you decided if you're going to keep it?" Subtlety at it's finest, eh?

Pam, being the gracious, giving and prim quilter that she is, finally said, "Take it." It took me about 30 seconds to get Adam up on that ladder to pull it off the wall and stick it in my bag to come home with me. Again, subtle.

Their heads, hands & feet are all zig-zagged down with fleshy-colored thread. Their dresses & pinafores are sewed ¼" away from the edge so that when they're washed they'll fluff up a bit.

I can't hardly wait to get to the fluffing up part!

Bosslady says she wants it back in the shop for awhile after it's quilted. When if finally does come to my house to live forever, it will go in the guest room. (Sure hope you like it, Mom!)

I'm going to leave you with a recent picture of MoonPie - and a heads-up: Next post will be all about our ever-so-clever and exceptional kitty.

Labels: quilting

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5 Comments:

At 2/24/2011 12:44 PM,

Mom Babbled Back:

Yes, I DO like it. Good job daughter (I'm sure I don't know how you learned the fine art of subtlety).

At 2/24/2011 2:52 PM,

Deb Babbled Back:

FB my mom has all these Bella Rosa done except for the pinafores and the dresses but everything is ready to put together. She can`t make up her mind what she wants for their dresses..and oh I so want this quilt they are just adorable. Those cheek circles are so itty bitty!!!
Moonpie is just as gorgeous as ever can`t wait to see the post tomorrow

At 2/25/2011 4:23 AM,

Crispy Babbled Back:

Subtlety is truly the best way to go in these situations. It's sad that you have to give it back for a bit, so I recommend you put your name, in BIG letters on the back so no one can fanagle (another technique of getting what you want) and take it home :0)

Crispy

At 2/27/2011 1:42 PM,

Julie Babbled Back:

I don't blame you. I would have loved to have this myself. Moonpie is a cutie.

At 4/17/2011 1:40 PM,

Diana Babbled Back:

if you want another little different "Friends Care" quilt take another look at FatCatPatterns.com

Sindy has prepared Girl Friends and Boy Friends for her friends

She's holding a swap right now too.

Yours in Applique

Diana from QuiltersBee