Friday, September 25, 2009

A winner and another block

The only downside of having a giveaway is all the lovely people who didn't win, it makes me sad but I'm happy for the one who wins and that is.......

**************Juliann*************



Congratulations Juliann, this quilt will be winging it's way to you today! WOO HOOO!

Thanks to everyone who has added their name to my follower list and also to the wonderful comments left on my last two posts, I truly appreciate the time it takes and I feel quite humbled by all the lovely motivating words you leave me.

So this week there's been a few disruptions to my sewing time but I did manage to get this Mary Mannakee block done.
I don't know if it's helpful or not but I'll share anyway. When you have an applique pattern, it's assumed you'll have enough knowledge to know how to tackle the parts and in these blocks, sometimes you have to think about it.

I know the leaves are tucked under the stem so to keep it all lined up nicely, I tacked the stem on first through the middle so I could tuck the bottom of the leaves in.
This bloom had to be replaced because I sewed the wrong parts together but you'll get the idea. I stitched this one off the block as one unit. I left some seam allowance free at the tops for tucking in later. This way, I can trim out the seams at the bottom which would be bulky and sew the bottom as a smooth curve. Check out the finished block.

Two leaves have to fit across the bottom of this piece so to make sure I didn't have a ravelling skinny and unstable seam, I ticked it under and it makes putting the leaves on stress free.

I then finger pressed the leaves before placing both of them for stitching down. That way I can check that they meet just where I want them to.

I hope this is helpful to some of you, sometimes with applique, you have to analyse the sequence and methods and theres always more than one way to tackle needleturn but this is a peek into how I do it.

39 comments:

antique quilter said...

I am so thrilled for Juliann I know she will treasure this quilt just like I would have....
thanks for the tips
the last picture is not there...
just thought you should know
I need to work on that block, maybe next week! I am sure you just made it easier for me
Kathie

Juliann said...

Oh my goodness! What a wonderful day! I do hope you have signed this one - I know just where it will hang. Thank you so much.

Abby and Stephanie said...

Congratulations to the lucky winner.

Janet said...

Congrats to Juliann! It was a great giveaway.

luv2quilt2 said...

I love the work you do. My applique skills are just so so, but I'm working on it.

Miriam said...

Thank you for the photographs and hints. It is that kind of information that is left out of instructions that really help you learn a technique well. I will be referring back to this post.

Congratulations to Juliann!!

Marcy said...

Congratulations Juliann! We are all envious of you. Enjoy your beautiful win.
Marcy

Liz said...

Thanks Janet, the tip about the stem is very helpful, I wouldn't have thought to do that.
Lizzie
XXX

Julia said...

Congratulations Juliann! Enjoy your beautiful win.
Julia ♥

wishes, true and kind said...

That has to be one of the most beautiful appliqué block patterns I have ever seen. I just love it!

rainey said...

Congrats to Julianne! You are one lucky girl and I hope Janet's quilt gives you many years of delight.


Tell me, Janet, have you ever thought you left yourself enough allowance to have the ends of one stem safely tucked under another, BUT when you get to the portion where you finally stitch one stem section over another things have shifted so that you're not comfortable with the allowance?

That just happened to me and I tried to stretch a little and stitch extra close and then put another couple stitches over that to encase the raw edges as much as I could. It's OK now, now that it's just fabric stitched down but I'm concerned about when it gets washed.

I don't know if I should put a drop of Fray Check on it or just let it be what it's going to be... Any words of advice?

Rita said...

This might be my favorite block so far. I have enjoyed following your progress.

Lurline said...

Lucky, lucky, Juliann - congratulations! I am sure all these little tips are helping everyone, Janet and I really like that block - quite different to the rest, do you think?
Hugs - Lurline♥

Bloom said...

You applique tips are enormously helpful! My needle turn technique leaves a lot to be desired, so any tips are very much appreciated. I am trying to needle turn some little scallops at the moment, and I don't know how to avoid the 'ravelling skinny & unstable' bit in the points between each scallop. Luckily, it is unlikely to ever be washed, and it looks OK. But I remain dissatisfied with the fragility of it. Thanks for your tips. Please keep them coming! Ros x

Barb said...

Your blocks are totally amazing...and the post below, don't know how I missed that one but sooooooooooooooo wonderful!!

Browndirtcottage said...

well...DARN....I guess I can breath easy now that you have winner...I'm going to be a 'good
sport' and Congrats her!!!

I love your helpful hints on the
applique!!!

Quilts on Bastings said...

What a stunning block - and thanks for the great tips.

Deb said...

Congratulations Juliann, you lucky lady. I am sobbing loudly, I had the place to put the quilt already........oh well, lol just kidding Janet.
Your Mary Mannakee block is fab.

Betsy said...

Congratulations to Juliann. Janet your block is beautiful.

FlourishingPalms said...

I'm happy for Julianne. Truly, I am. Happy, happy, happy.

Thank you for your applique tips. What you reviewed is exactly what makes applique not so much fun for me. You've definitely got it together and it's working for you. Great stuff!

Did I mention I'm really happy for Julianne?

Janet said...

Lucky Juliann! Thanks again for a good post with lots of good tips for applique. Your MM block is lovely. I love the variety of greens you used for the leaves.

Nedra said...

You make it look so easy. congrats to Juliann!

Deb said...

Another stunner Janet. Your colours are gorgeous and your stitches are invisible no matter how much I magnify. Thanks for the tips.

jean said...

Congrats to Juliann, I know that she will just love her quilt.
Janet , thanks for the tutorial you always explain everything so well and make needleturn applique look so easy.

PatchworkRose said...

Congratulaion to Julieann.
Just love the block Janet. You make it all look so easy :-) Thankyou for the clear instructions.
Cheers
Lynne

Bloom said...

Dear Janet, just a check that my profile is no longer coming up as no-reply blogger. Could you please check that you can reply to this message. Thanks so much, Ros.

ranette said...

Okay....guess my lucky streak is over....I'm happy for Juliann though!

Terrie Sandelin said...

Another beautiful block! and done during a busy week? Wow. The directions are really great, too. Thanks.

Crispy said...

Congradulations Juliann, you lucky devil!!!

Janet, I just love how you show the way you tackle applique. It always gives me something to contemplate and attempt. I think this is my favorite block...so far.

Crispy

Kaaren said...

Gee, Janet. Did you know I just changed my name to Juliann just before you selected the winner?

I WISH!

Congrats to the REAL Juliann. You will have a work of art to be sure.

Thanks again for the applique tips, Janet. Perfect!

Carrie P. said...

Congrats to Juliann! A fellow appliquer won. Yeah!
Sometimes it does take some thought how the pieces will go down especially when the pattern is not numbered. I also find finger pressing helps to put a piece in its place.

Karen said...

Lots of leaves on your block and very well done! It is a different pattern with the stem winding back and forth.

Janet said...

Another great block. Thank you for the hints. Haven't got to this one yet. I'm doing them in order from L to R, row 1 downward.

blushing rose said...

Congrats to Juliann! WOW! this is an awesome creation you are working on. You amaze me.
TY for sharing. Have a beautiful weekend. TTFN ~Marydon

Thimbleanna said...

Beautiful block, as always Janet! And you do needle turn -- so impressive -- I just can't get needle turn to look good so I have to use freezer paper!

julieQ said...

Congratulations to your winner! I so am enjoying watching your blocks progress, lovely.

rainey said...

Janet, if you ever have a mind to do it, I'd love to see how you use an overlay pattern.

I've read about the concept in the Aunt Millie's Garden pattern but, for myself, I just turn my breakfast table into a large light box and work from the pattern under my backing fabric. http://www.flickr.com/photos/75667634@N00/3818118726/

When you use the overlay, do you use it with the paper pattern? How difficult is it to adjust the fabric under the overlay? Can you rely on the fabric pieces to stay in place so that you can remove the overlay to pin?

rainey said...

I also have the red fabric from your last flower. It always tickles me when I see my fabrics in someone else's work. Part of the fun of following quilting blogs!

Quilts And Pieces said...

Yeah for Juliann! Now that 3 piece flower curve thing on the bottom was a good trick I never thought of! I always do one piece at a time. I learned something already today!!!!