I started this quilt with the hope that I would learn to hand applique. I kept thinking that the "experts" must know some trick, something easier than what I had been doing. Previously, I had just traced my image on to a piece of freezer paper, cut it out and ironed it on. Then painstakingly sewed an "invisible" seam...somehow getting the fabric to look like I wanted and even sometimes remembering to take out the freezer paper before I sewed it totally shut.
WELL....even after a dear friend showed me her own method... There just wasn't an "easy" way to hand applique. So, I adhered to my original method and just hammered through these biddies. 
Oh...I like them. I think that I need to name them...maybe quilt it in to the block subtly or embroider it in. I am also too chicken (hee-hee) to applique tiny pieces yet so the beaks and combs are all 3-D....and I decided that I like that better too.
I am hoping to put this together soon. I have also developed a new method to quilting. My motto is now "just power through". I realized that I had stopped during projects when I had reached a part that I thought was boring or too hard...so now I have been powering through...taking the "hard" parts in 20 minute intervals. Now I am actually completing projects!! Hooray! It feels really good.
I hope you like my little friends, I am thinking that I may do a series of small quilts, because I like them and the hand work seems like a more "do-able" thing...because it is something that I can do just for my own enjoyment, but still be out with the boys and the family and not chained to my machine. (which I like, but is just not where I can be with two young boys and a sweet husband who love my attention.)JMB
**Side note** I met these WONDERFUL women at a great independent quilt shop in Portland. The shop is called "cool cottons"...they have a wonderful selection of fabrics and I loved how they mixed their Batiks in with their Kaffe Fassett and Amy Butler. Well they did show me a new technique to hand applique, and as soon as I make something that way...I will post on it.
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5 comments:
That is amazing work, my old friend (old friendship, not old you, I must clarify). I can't imagine the patience I'd have to grow for something like that!
Oh, I LOVE your chickens. Love their personalities and the fabrics are great. My method of hand applique is to just do it. Needle turn as I go along, ignore the lines and just do it. No freezer paper. I like the primitive look though.
I like the two chickies together! I think of our friendship. I have to say I am inexperienced with the art of applique, but I learned today! Yaz
oh i am so excited to see the finnished quilt!
i loved seeing your little chicks on your wall
& now on your blog...
love them...
cheep cheep!
:)
Ton linked to you and wouldn't you know it? I too live in Portland! cool cottons-do tell where this shop is located...wonderful, wonderful chickens!
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