Thursday 2 June 2016

Crafted Appliqué: New Possibilities

Welcome to my turn in the "Crafted Appliqué: New Possibilities" blog hop!
I am thrilled to have been asked by my long distance friend Lara Bucella of BuzzinBumble to take part in this hop celebrating the publication of her book.


For a whole month now we have been happily hopping, showing what can be achieved with Lara Bucella's new method of appliqué. And still we are not quite finished! If you are new to the party do check out the blog hop schedule at the end of this post for a wide variety of appliqué posts, reviews of the book, and giveaways at every stop!

- of course I have a giveaway, too, find it at the end of this post -
GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED
Winner announced in my next post!

But first, what did I think of Lara's book?
Over the years I have been doing all kinds of appliqué: Starting so many years ago with the Gardener's Choice (Dresden) block in the sampler quilt I showed earlier this week; broderie perse; blanket stitch (by hand and machine); running stitch with raw edge appliqué; reverse appliqué; needle turn for Baltimore style blocks (drafted for a series of classes); shadow appliqué; stained glass (by machine); Hawaiian appliqué (image here)...
There has been an exclusively appliqué quilt inspired by Picasso, needle turned leaves on "Urban Jungle" (did I ever show those quilts? I will have to remedy that), a jungle themed wall hanging for a school reading corner using fusible, and of course my City & Guilds wall hanging which consists of only fused appliqué.

In all those years of exploring appliqué techniques I have never come across a method like Lara's. Time to test it out with a few small projects!

I prepared some small pieces of fabric according to Lara's method, and used a feather and egg pattern I had drawn. The fabrics were then ironed to a fine shot cotton background, layered with wadding, and stitched down. In her book Lara tends to use a straight stitch to stitch her appliqués down, but I carefully (I am not that confident) free motion stitched them instead so I didn't have to turn the fabric this way and that. The appliqué stayed put while sewing, and not a wrinkle in sight! I turned this into a small pouch which now holds the threads I want to keep to hand for my current project(s).



Then recently, I received some solid scraps and was inspired to make a small rainbow project. Again I prepared my fabrics, and this time I used my Sizzix Big Shot and my hexagon die. Perfect hexagons were the result:

Laying out a hexagon rainbow

The hexagons stayed in place while I transferred the fabric from the table to the ironing board and were ironed in place:


Then over to the machine to add some stitching:


Now, if you noticed the coloured panel on the bottom is different in these pictures, that is because I made two! And sure enough these panels, too, were turned into pouches:

Rainbow pouches
Even though the panels went through a fair amount of handling while transforming them into these pouches, the hexagons with their raw edges stayed crisp. And unlike when I stitched my wall hanging, my needle showed no sign of gumming up at all. The backs of the pouches got some decorative stitching, and off they went to surprise their respective recipients. One has arrived recently, the other should be at its destination soon, hopefully is also at its destination.

So while I have used many techniques for appliqué, I am happy to add Lara's new technique to my list of appliqué methods. And if you want to learn her method too, I can only recommend her book!
The book is written in a friendly and accessible voice, she seems to be sitting at your shoulder explaining all. Not only that, she has tested and compared her method, found the best way to use it, and added seven highly original projects for you to try. If you want to know more, do check out the other stops on the blog hop. Lara herself shows images of some book projects, and many other bloggers have tried the method in their own projects, or using patterns from the book. And all stops have the book to give away, too (though some have closed by now, others are still active), and Lara herself is giving away the most generous prizes to be drawn on June 4th - hurry!!

So now for the giveaway:


Comment below for a chance of winning Lara's book directly from the author. If you want a subject, tell me which types of appliqué you have tried. And for an extra entry, tell me how you follow Studio Sew of Course. I will draw one winner after Thursday June 9th. Please be sure I can contact you if you win!

And if you cannot wait and want to buy the book right now (here, here, here, here, or here, and probably in a few more places) go ahead; Lara has said she'll reimburse you instead if you win.

EDIT: please make sure to check if you could be a NO-REPLY blogger, and if so (or you're not sure) leave an email address! I have 10% no-reply bloggers at the moment, and if I can't contact you you can't win!! 


Good luck!

Linking up with:

Midweek Makers

Let's Bee Social

Fabric Tuesday

Sew Cute Tuesday

Linky Tuesday

The Giveaway Roundup


 Sandra



Crafted Appliqué… New Possibilities Blog Hop - May 1st to June 5th 2016

Sun
Mon
Tues
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
Lara
Buccella
Introduce Tour   

2
Valerie Smith
3
Dana Gaffney
4
Lorna McMahon
5
Mary Schuberg
6
Heidi
Kuntz
7
Alycia Carmin
8
Amy
DeCesare
9
Sherri McConnell
10
Lara Buccella
Guest Post

11
Christina Cameli
12
Melissa Corry
13
Sarah
Craig
14
Soma Acharya
15
Valerie
Reynolds
16
Angela Pingel
17
Sandra Walker

18
Cheryl Brickey
19
Judy Murphy
20
Yvonne Fuchs
21
Cindy Pieters
22
Susie
Zlogar
23
Connie Campbell
24
Ruth
Bourke
25
Kaja
Zieslar
26
Ann
Brooks
27
Cynthia Brunz

28
Holiday
29
Holiday
30
Holiday
31
Jenn Trott-Zisserson
1
Paulette Horn
2
Sandra Jansen
Studio Sew of Course
(that's here)

3
Christine Sherman


4
Darlene Simmons
5
Lara
Buccella
Giveaway Winners Announced!         





 










89 comments:

  1. I love apllique! And your pouches look so sweet! I normally do needleturning or buttonholestitch applique but this method looks very interesting! Thanks for sharing!

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  2. I follow you via bloglovin'

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  3. I am doing some appliqué, mostly fusible with machine stitching, but also hand stitching the buttonhole stitches. Lately I have also made progress on my needleturn.

    I love learning new methods, and this book looks very interesting!

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  4. I've tried about all kinds of applique- would like to try this one too!

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  5. I have tried many applique techniques, but this sounds much easier/better.

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  6. Oh Sandra - those hexie pouches are brilliant! I love the rainbow of colors set against the dark background. I noticed that you not only added a footed bottom to them, but also colorful zippers and tabs. They're wonderful! I love your feather and egg pouch too. What a sweet and whimsical design. :)

    I'm really glad that you'll be adding the crafted applique method to your tool belt. Thank you for showing us such fun projects! Thank you too for the great book review and for promoting all the other stops and giveaways! It's really great to hear what someone with your applique experience thinks of Crafted Applique!

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  7. I love tour hexagon pouches!
    I've only tried fusible applique but I found it to be rather stiff!

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  8. I have done fusible as well as needle turn. Love them both but it depends on how much time I have that will let me decide which technique to use. Love those hexie bags you made.

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  9. Every project in this blog hop has impressed me! The idea of having no frayed edges and not having to stitch the dreaded satin or blanket stitch perfectly is very appealing! Lara's brilliant! I do enjoy applique and have used several different forms, but not this technique yet!

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  10. I've tried a lot of applique methods as you have, so I'm anxious to try Lara's. Lovely pouches.

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  11. Your pouches turned out very nice! Applique is a good skill to have.

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  12. pouches are sew much fun, i love them. i'm not crazy about needle turn or raw edge fusible applique so can't wait to try this new technique.

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  13. You don't like the stop/start turning version of raw edge? Tis the only kind I can do, my FMQ skills are negligible.

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  14. CAN'T WAIT TO TRY THIS NEW METHOD!!!

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  15. I FOLLOW YOU THROUGH EMAIL.

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  16. I've done fusible applique, but hate the fraying. Sounds like this method is just what I'm looking for!

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  17. I love your feather and egg especially. Your FMQ is just the right touch. I am a hesitant FM'er, myself, but it has a more casual look than straight machine stitch that I feel adds a lot of charm. I have done only a little bit of applique, but of various kinds; needle turn (best results in terms of the edges); fusing and stitch; a little reverse applique; and a technique involving stitching the applique all the way around, to interfacing, then turning it right side out. Fiddly and not necessarily the best result I've had, due to the complicated shapes I was attempting. I have some ideas I'd love to try, and a new technique like Lara's may do the trick! And I follow your blog on "Bloglovin". Cheers!

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  18. Crap! All the commenting gone ;(
    I like machine appliqué most and with a straight stitch.
    Lovely pouches! I love hexagons

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  19. I have not done much applique, but would love to learn this technique. Thanks for sharing and for the giveaway.

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  20. The hexagon bags are super, love that quilted stitching, and Lara's method, this gives us another project where it seems to be so easy to use. I hopped to you from Lara, but have added you to my sidebar blog-list. And the give-away, so generous, and every blogger who has done a review and showed us the way they have used Lara's method, inspirations galore.

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  21. Hi,I now follow you on blogger, on my blog.

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  22. Have done both machine and hand appliqué. Looking forward to expanding my repertoire with Lara's method.

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  23. Follow you by reading your blog online.

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  24. And another few words, when I looked at your garden photos, I see you have a New Zealand flax there. I didn't know they were exported from down here. Always so good to see a little part of us in your part of the world. Hope the bird's nest stays safe.

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  25. Your hexagon bags are the cutest! Thanks for sharing!

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  26. Like the hexie pouches. I usually do fusible applique with a zig zag edge. Looking forward to trying raw edge applique.
    fabricstasher24@gmail.com

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  27. I have mostly done fusible applique when I have done it, raw edge as my satin stitch leaves a LOT to be desired. I find it a bit tedious to be honest, and am looking forward to learning Lara's technique. I love the look of applique works but have not enjoyed doing them. I did attempt needleturn applique and simply could not get the hang of it. Of course, practice makes perfect but I could not force myself to practice, sigh.

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  28. I think I've tried all the applique techniques except this one -- but I am hoping to learn this magic technique soon! It looks like it would give me lots of new options for adding applique, especially small or complicated shapes.

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  29. Wow - love teh feather and the egg! I follow you on bloglovin!

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  30. Opps forgot to say that I have done needle turn applique (haven't liked my results though!!) This method looks very interesting!

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  31. Your rainbow hexagon pouches are really beautiful, and the feather is amazing. I wish my appliqué would turn out so well! I've tried fusible, needle turn and reverse appliqué, but with varying degrees of success. I would love to learn this new method. Thank you for the chance to win a copy of Lara's book.

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  32. I love needle turn applique-takes so much time-but I love the results, and have done some fusibles-but they are quick-yet too stiff.

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  33. I have used mostly raw edge appliqué which is fast and easy, but have been disappointed with the frayed edges....Lara's technique looks amazing. Thanks for sharing the giveaway.

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  34. I am totally intrigued about this new applique method and can't wait to give it a try. Thanks for the opportunity to win!
    kakingsbury at verizon dot net

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  35. I'm going to go back and check out all these blog hop blogs. I'm really interested in the book and if I don't win it, will purchase it for sure. Thanks for sharing, and LOVE the bags - super cute!

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  36. i have done machine applique .... happyness04431@yahoo.com

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  37. I aslso follow you on bloglovin... happyness04431@yahoo.com

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  38. Those hexies turned out awesome! I've tried fusible, needle turn, and turned edge over freezer paper. Haven't found a technique yet that is my go to method. I'll have to check out Lara's book - thanks for the chance to win!
    And thanks for linking up at Midweek Makers

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  39. Loooove your Pouches!! Soooo pretty!!

    I did a few hand applique wallhangings...wassoooo slow at it tho! Arrrgh! lol Have also tried the Raggedy Edge machine applique...was quicker...& fun. But...not a good style for some projects. This Tour/Hop has soooo encouraged me to try Applique again.

    Thank you for chance to win your Give-a-way too :)





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  40. I found your Blog thru this Hop too...and am now a new Follower thru Bloglovin! :)

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  41. I have done fusible web and needle turn applique. Thanks for the opportunity to win Lara's book.

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  42. I follow you on Bloglovin'. I commented above but wanted to add that your hand quilting is very impressive!

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  43. I've tried raw-edge applique. I'd love to try this new technique. Thanks for the giveaway chance. refusestofear at yahoo dot com

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  44. I've tried needle-turn and raw-edge - needle-turn is difficult for me!

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  45. I've only tried needle turn appliqué.
    sweetpeamarie2003@y shoo.com

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  46. I'd love to win this book! I have tried fusible, raw edge and just not happy with the "look". Hoping this will be the no-fail method for me. akronne17@gmail.com

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  47. You have really done some beautiful applique over the years! I especially like your reverse applique among your past projects. But your rainbow hexagon pouches are fabulous! (Don't count me in your giveaway as I've got my own happening, as you know.)

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  48. I guess I have tried all kinds but I prefer needle turn because I can do it in front of the TV with my family.

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  49. I've done fused appliqué, raw edge appliqué, and turned-edge machine-stitched appliqué. I have never tried hand stitched appliqué. I'm always interested in new techniques.

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  50. Super cute, Love Lara's technique!

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  51. I do a lot of fusible applique, usually finishing the edges with a blanket stitch by hand, but I'd love to learn a new technique!

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  52. I'm always interested in new techniques! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  53. I've tried raw edge and the freezer paper method for edges...Lara's method sounds like heaven for those frayed edges!

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  54. I have not liked raw edge in the past because of the fraying(except for Batiks). Therefore all my applique has been blanket stitched or satin stitched using a fusible. Love your hexie bags!

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  55. I have done basic fusible/ raw edge applique. I love the design possibilities from applique and an very intrigued by this method. Thank you!

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  56. I love applique and I love the look of it too. chocolatewiskers@aol.com

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  57. I've only done applique once, did a blanket stitch.

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  58. I've tried just about every kind of applique there is, including needle-turn, machine blanket-stitched, and raw-edge. I'm really curious about Lara's technique. Thanks for the chances to win.

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  59. Your pouches are really lovely. I have never enjoyed applique until I tried Lara's method. I love how pliable the fabrics are with it.

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  60. I think I have tried every method out there and honestly I am just not patient enough to be good at any of them. I know they say practice, practice, practice but I am old.

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  61. I have done a little needle turn applique!

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  62. I love all sort of applique & want to learn this new technique XXX

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  63. I have tried needle turn and fusible. I can't stand the ruffled look of raw edge.

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  64. I do hand applique. For me, machine applique looks ok at first, but after a few washings, the fusible releases and then the quilt starts looking "old".

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  65. I have done 3 different types of applique.

    Raw edge - using wonder under then a small zigzag around the edges.

    Turned edge - Freezer paper and starch
    - Needleturn

    I let the type of project determine which method I use.

    Would love to give this book a good home.

    syvisser@gmail(dot)com

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  66. Thanks for sharing - love the hexagons and I'm intrigued by the technique.

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  67. I've tried fusible, needle turn, non-woven fusible and turn inside out and either hand or machine stitch and turned edge over freezer paper. I'd love to learn another way, it may be my new 'go to' method!

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  68. I generally use templates and turn the starched fabric around it.

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  69. I'm very excited to learn this new method of appliqué. Thanks for the chance to win a copy of the book.
    annamariehlustik@googlemail.com

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  70. I love machine applique and either use freezer paper on the wrong side of fabric or templates and glue to turn under the edges. I really want to try this technique so that I can use some raw edge applique too.

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  71. I usually use a fusible and a straight stitch. however, I have an idea that needs no frayed edges, so this sounds ideal.

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  72. You definitely have lots of experience with applique so I'm pleased to hear that you endorse Lara's method. Mostly, I have done raw-edge applique with fusible to hold them in place.

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  73. Great projects, Sandra. The purses are great but the feather and egg is my favourite: I love the contrast in the shapes and the fmq gives it a more organic feel than straight stitching, and is therefore right up my street.

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  74. love those bags. I like doing applique and am intrigued by this book and new technique

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  75. The bags are so cute. It looks like you didn't sew around the pieces and yet they lay right down on the edges
    Sandy
    Swoot@me.com

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  76. I've had that very idea of doing another appliqué project and turning it into a pouch, or two or three as you did! I love your feather and egg drawing one especially.

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  77. I've tried a few different techniques but I am so excited to try Lara's keeping my fingers crossed, grecomara at gmail dot com

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  78. I've tried machine applique. Needless to say I have a lot more to learn!

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