Well I've been working away on my blocks for my friend's baby quilt and for the Something New Sampler...
I finished a stack of 40 butterfly wings waiting to be joined to their bodies!
Once I do that, I'll have 2/3 of my blocks pieced.
Once I do that, I'll have 2/3 of my blocks pieced.
I also finished the cathedral windows block for the Something New Sampler. It took 4 hours, a lot of Downton Abbey, and a little beer. And I love it!
Lastly, I finished up the machine applique block today.
(Some of the pics are taken after dark, hence the wacky colors.)
There are a lot of applique methods out there and I decided to use an interfacing method.
Here are the steps I followed:
Here are the steps I followed:
step one | Cut 2.75" strips of interfacing. Use the top half of the template to cut out half circles.
step two | Place the bumpy dotted side of the interfacing against the right side of the clamshell. Stitch together with a 1/4" seam.
step three | Flip the interfacing and push the fabric out against the seam to create a smooth curve. Finger press the piece flat. Do not iron.
step four | Place one row of clamshells onto background fabric. Press (which will affix the clamshells to the background), then applique using Becky's tutorial.
I used the template as a guide to place subsequent clamshells. I marked the center of each clamshell with a pin or Frixion pen and lined up the center with the corner of the template.
I really enjoyed making this block and think it's a great way to showcase a line of fabrics you love. I'm thinking larger scale clamshells, baby quilt? I'll just add it to my very long list of to-dos!
I do like your cathedral windows :) And I like that you went all the way to the bottom of the block on the clamshells! Looks fab!
ReplyDeletethe cathedral windows piece is lovely, a great technique, I am sure I once read that there was a way of doing it that uses less fabric but could not find it when I relooked, do you know of it please?
ReplyDeleteI will try your applique method but think I might try with non iron on interfacing and stitch them on by hand as I am sure to apply them in the wrong place with iron on.Thank you for the tutorial
I seen this interfacing method used on circles so I had in on my "must try list" :-) This is cool! I wasn't so keen on the bottom part of clamshells so this is great! Thanks!
ReplyDeletebeautiful little cathedrial windows -- that's on my list of projects to try. It's one of thoes that I have the book on but haven't gotten around to it yet. Lovely projects all around.
ReplyDeleteYour cathedral windows block is gorgeous, Amy! They take all that time and effort, but when you look at the finished product, it's worth it all, isn't it?! Love those clamshells too!
ReplyDeleteI love to try the cathedral windows and the clamshells for my cushion cover! Thanks for having this hop...there are so many new things to learn!
ReplyDeleteyou are incredibly awesome! I barely to get dressed in the mornings and here you are making amazingly beautiful quilts
ReplyDelete