Rag-Edge Applique

Today I want to talk about a different way to do edging in quilting. Most people will do appliquéing by needle turn, satin stitch, or blanket stitch but this one is called rag-edge appliqué.  This pattern is called “French Roses” by Heather French.  This is a fun project for everyone to try regardless how much you’ve quilted.  The rag-edge appliqué is done with each rose and gives it a nice soft edge around the petals.  After washing and drying (the more you wash the more it frays out) you will be amazed at how it looks, so soft and comes to life.

This type of appliquéing doesn’t have to stop with just flowers.  You can apply this to any quilt that has circles, another type of flower, anything that can be appliquéd.  Lynne Hagmeier, owner of Kansas Troubles uses this technique in her quilts.  She is a well known fabric designer for Moda fabrics, books and lots of patterns and is from the Bennington, Kansas area.  Check her out at http://www.ktquilts.com/ or http://kansastroublesquilters-lynne.blogspot.com/.  She has some fun things going on!

So here's a different way to applique.  Give it a try and see what you think.

So for now keep that sewing machine a stitchin,

Until next time,

Connie

Celebrate Christmas with Santas' Special Reindeer

Christmas in July!  Already here and only 4 months till Christmas.  Wow! Where does the time go?
So have you decided you're going to quilt something for your granddaughter, grandson or maybe just to give it to someone special?  You need to start thinking about what colors, design you would like to use and get started.  I'm making 3 quilts for grandsons and have 2 out of 3 done and ready for the quilter so I feel pretty good.

I'm going to call this a wallhanging and I think its so cute.  The size is 40 1/4" x 50 3/4" and could also be called a crib size.  How can you not like Rudolph?  This particular quilt was in "Quiltmaker" magazine, Nov/Dec 2012 called "Jingle Patch" on page 42.  This is from a Patch Pal's collection and is the last one of the series.  To see all the collections go to quiltmaker.com/patchpals. 

You can use a lot of your scraps on this quilt especially the green background.  The trees wouldn't have to be made out of the same fabric and there again you could use your stash.  It's just a lot of fun to mix and match with you're fabric.

So get in the Christmas spirit and start thinking about what you'd like to sew.  Hope you enjoyed the Reindeer quilt as much as I had fun sewing it.

Keep Stitchin,
Connie