Appliqué - the invisible way

I’m wrapping up my 20th quilt finish of the year with a few feet of binding and a proper photoshoot to go but couldn’t wait to share all about (finally) using the spool of monofilament that came in my Aurifil artisan welcome package. 

The tumbler quilt started out a simple repetitive one block shape design. Well that didn’t last long with my attention span and love of changing things up. What better opportunity to give a new technique and thread a try as part of Aurifilartisan appliqué August challenge. 

Because I added the Dresden portion, I ended up with enough extra tumblers to insert a strip on the back.  The soft soothing palette called for a brighter bolder backing and the blocks tie it all together . 

You'll have to look closely to see the see through stitching but it's there.  I was a little nervous that monofilament might feel weird because it's not at all like cotton or wool but it sewed with ease and my Babylock didn't blink an eye.  

In previous Dresden projects I’ve inset-pieced the curves by machine with 50wt. I’ve also used 80wt for hand stitching them which is also pretty invisible because the thread sinks down into the fabric fibers hiding beautifully. 

This mid-make decision to include the Dresden shape in the center of the quilt creates a much more engaging composition. I didn’t concern myself with having the size match exactly, a slight jog fools the eye. I did however spend a fair amount of effort to position them so the center half circles were aligned. Hubby said they reminded him of the jumbo magnets that we played with as kids and I'd have to agree.

Even with three different “background “ greens, the overall color felt a bit dominant so I framed it with a fussy cut leafy edge to help the yellows pop. 

With the use of a tripod and delay timer on my iPhone and most importantly the help of a friend, we were able to get the picture below showing the entire quilt.  

Binding with a stripe at any chance I get is a given.  Inspiration is everywhere - even on my front porch. 

I hope you’re taking time to enjoy the flowers in bloom and also gives Aurifil monofilament a try. Be sure to check out my last few posts revealing many other recent finishes. 

Additional Aurifil threads used:

Piecing 2600 50wt cone

Quilting 5020 50wt cone 

Bobbin 6723 50wt large spool

Hand stitch binding 2437 40wt large spool 

76”x88” completed August 2022

Babylock Symphony 

Handiquilter Avante 

Hobbs 80/20

Baby quilts and Big Bro too

We couldn’t be more thrilled with the news of a grandson on the way and in turn the big brother status gained, necessitating not only a baby quilt but a sibling one too.   I rarely if ever use panels but since he celebrated his 1st birthday at the aquarium and is a water lover, this one from my stash was perfect. 

I puzzled together a unique composition around the whales finished and gifted early because who can wait?, not me. 

Our guild has an accuquilt cutting system available for check out. At my suggestion, they purchased the Local Color and Drunkards Path dies.  I used them along with the log cabin and flying geese in these quilts, combining as I saw fit along the way. 

Design wall designing is my favorite process. I used much of the same fabric that was featured in the previous baby quilt and my sons bed quilt. 

Once again, my DIL and her sister are expecting with due dates close together so I made this one pictured below for her with fabric and elements that are intentionally  “related “. 

A modern traditional vibe mixing vintage and current fabric lines from stash. Playing with transparency makes me just want to explore more.  I didn’t sew a sibling quilt for her but did use the Tula dear in the center as a nod to the hexi quilt that was a fun memorable collaboration sewn with my DIL.

The drunkards path die cuts in two sizes and a minimal palette and design is what I focused on with this quilt made for my friends daughter’s baby. 

I know some makers work on one project at a time and I’ve never been one of those, preferring to multitask and have quilts of different kinds in various stages to keep my interest.   It’s unusual however to be juggling four start to finish simultaneously like these four. 

All the secret sewing now revealed - one long blog post for finishes 13, 14, 15 and 17 for a very productive 2022 seems appropriate.  You can read all about quilt 16 in my last blog post   

I hope you’re following me on instagram where I share a lot more pictures but if not here are a few more :