Applique Tips and Tricks

When it comes to Applique there are a few simple things you can do to really help ensure your project comes together very professionally and easily.  The process is very much step by step and preparation is one of they factors for success.

With the right tools and some simple tips you will be setting yourself up for not only an enjoyable time sewing but be so thrilled with your results.

Tools for Applique

Fusible Web – Heat and Bond Lite or Flexi Fuse are my preference

Mechanical Pencil – gives for a more accurate drawn line

Best Press (starch spray)

Threads in different varieties – I like Robison-Anton Rayon Embroidery Thread for its sheen.  Aurifil 28wt is also great.

Universal Needles – Size 80/12

Open Toe Sewing Machine Foot

Paper and fabric scissors

Stabilizing your Applique for Sewing

When it comes to sewing your Applique, there are many options to stabilize your fabrics to make it easier to sew onto the Applique.  There are different types of stabilizers you can use on the back of your fabric like “Stitch and Tear”, “Shape-Well” some of which you fuse to the back of the background fabric and some which come away after sewing.  It really can be a personal preference.

I like to stabilize my Applique by spraying “Best Press” onto the Applique shapes till damp, then iron dry.  

Tips

• Use a matching coloured cotton thread in your bobbin to your choice of Top-Stitching thread.  This saves any tension issues and while it may take longer to change these – it will result in a more professional finish.

• Sew all of the same colour pieces at the same time – sew all the red, then all the blue etc...  

• A fresh needle will make a big difference to your Applique.

• I like to use Heat and Bond or Flexi Fuse when only working with one layer of Applique as it is heavier and sturdier for sewing onto.  If you are using multiple layers of Fusible Web, then Vliesofix works well in this situation.

• Cut your block a little bigger than the size required – this means you can square it up later after you have finished your sewing incase of any fraying or distortion.

 

Which Stitch??

Don’t just think that when it comes to sewing Applique, you have to use Blanket stitch.  Whether sewing by machine or hand there are so many choices you can make for stitches.  

Some of my favourites are:

Blanket Stitch – this is great when you are making a quilt that will need lots of durability.  I tend to use this a lot of kids quilts as it withstands washing well.

Triple Stitch – this is a stitch on your sewing machine you may not have known you had.  Just as the name suggests each stitch goes – Forward, Back Forward creating a bolder stitch. I like to use this on more decorative pieces – so when I know it is not going to be washed or handled a lot – e.g., Mini Quilts, Wall Hanging’s.

Raw-Edge Applique – is when you stitch around the Applique shape, stitching just inside the raw edge, using a smaller stitch length to go around the shape.  Quite often you will go around the shape twice and is often done in a contrasting colour thread to the fabric. 

Looking for Inspiration

Check out these Tied with a Ribbon patterns if you are looking for some great, beginner friendly Applique Mini Quilts, Quilts and Pillows. You can see my entire range of Applique Patterns here.

Just Sew Happy Mini Quilt

Unicorn Dreams Pillow Set

Trinket Box Quilt

Happy Quilting

Jemima x 

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Log Cabin Toss Quilt Along - Week 5

Week 5 is here - the final week of the Log Cabin Toss Quilt Along.

Well I can't believe we have come to the final week of the Log Cabin Toss Quilt Along.  I am beyond humbled by all those who have joined in and for all the love this pattern of mine has been shown.  A massive thank you to you all for your support - it really does mean so much to me.

 

So this week is all about finishing your Quilt top as well as getting your Quilt Top ready for Quilting, Binding and being able to then finish it up.  I have put together some tips and links below which I hope will help you with the decisions for this next part of the process with how you will finish it.

 

QUILTING DECISIONS 

 

When it comes to deciding on how to Quilt your Quilt - you have lots of options.

 

Quilt It Yourself - for those keen to quilt your own Quilt there are lots of ways you can tackle this.  You can simply quilt tram lines either sides of all the seam lines for simple but effective quilting.  You can get as adventurous as you like with Free Motion Quilting or even more detailed straight line quilting.  Or how about Cross-Hatching over the entire quilt or even using a Large Zig Zag stitch without needing a lot of experience.

 

For those wanting to give Free-Motion Quilting a go or already are familiar with this Technique, check out this Blog Post I wrote all about Machine Quilting.  I hope this gives you some helpful tips.

Send it to a Professional - you can send your quilt to a Long Arm quilter who can either do and Edge to Edge Design or Custom Quilt your finished Quilt.

 

Hand Quilt it - if you love the look of hand quilting or have ever wanted to give this a go, head over and check out all my best Hand Quilting Tips and Tools here.  There is nothing more satisfying than the look of perfectly imperfect hand made stitches in a quilt.

 

BINDING YOUR QUILT

 

Once you have your Quilt all Quilted - now you can turn your attention to Binding your Quilt. There are so many Tutorials for how to bind you Quilt if you Google.

 

I have put together a Tutorial on how to work the Binding continuously around the corner when you sew it onto the top of your Quilt – it’s a small but very helpful and useful way to sew your Binding all on in one go.  Check it out here.

 

When it comes to sewing the Binding down I have put together a Reel for how I Invisibly sew my Bidning down to the back of my quilt.  You can check it out here.

So this weeks task is to post a pic to Instagram using the hashtags #logcabintossqal, #logcabintossquilt and #tiedwitharibbonpatterns of your blocks, finished Quilt top or progress to date.  Get creative, I have loved seeing the posts and reels you have been putting up so far.  It helps to tag me - @tiedwitharibbon to make sure I see your post and of course your Profile has to be set to Public for me to see it.  

 

A massive thank you again to everyone who has bought my Pattern(s) and participated in the Log Cabin Toss Quilt Along - I am so blown away by how many of you from all over the world have joined in and just in love with your fabric choices and how your quilts have come together.

 

Thank you , Thank you, Thank you

 Jemima x x 

Log Cabin Toss Quilt Along - Week 4

Week 4 of the Log Cabin Toss Quilt Along is here!

So this week is all about finishing your blocks as well as getting your Quilt Top ready for Quilting, and Binding and being able to then finish it up in week 5.  I have put together some tips and links below which I hope will help you with the decisions for this next part of the process with how you will finish it. By the end of this week your Quilt top will be all together. 

Adding your Borders

 

Do you sew on your borders only to have them flared or wavy? Well, here are the steps to avoid this when sewing on borders to your quilt tops. 

You need to measure and cut the Borders to size. Don’t sew a border strip on and then cut to size (this is exactly the cause of it being wavy or flared)

 

Here’s how to measure and sew on borders for a spot on finish.

1. The border strip needs to be the accurate length. Not just a strip laid on top and then sewn and cut after.
2. With your tape measure, measure the quilt top left hand side and write down the exact measurement. Repeat for the right.
3. Take the average of the two measurements. 
4. Cut your border strips to this length.
5. Fold your first border strip in half and place a pin at halfway and each quarter. Do this for the quilt sides and border strips. 
6. Pin the border strip to the quilt top matching the pins.
7. Sew border strip. 
8. Repeat for the top and bottom.
9. Admire your square quilt top.

 

You can check out the Reel I made here demonstrating this

 

So this week’s task is to post a pic to Instagram using the hashtags #logcabintossqal, #logcabintossquilt and #tiedwitharibbonpatterns of you sewing together all your blocks and adding your border so that you have a finished Quilt top.  Get creative, I have loved seeing the posts and reels you have been putting up so far.  It helps to tag me - @tiedwitharibbon to make sure I see your post and of course your Profile has to be set to Public for me to see it.  

Happy Quilting

Jemima x 

Log Cabin Toss Quilt Along - Week 3

Week 3 of the Log Cabin Toss Quilt Along is here.

Here at the halfway mark and very excited to see that by the end of this week your Quilt Tops will be all ready to sewn together in week 4.

 

It is amazing to see lots of Quilts starting to come together and all these beautiful fabric choices becoming gorgeous Log Cabin Toss Quilt tops.

 

This week we are working on cutting up all of your blocks and arranging them.

 

This is where the magic of this quilt begins to show.  Taking each of your completed blocks you are going to carefully follow the instructions for how to cut these into the required smaller blocks ready for construction.

 

When it comes to arranging them – take your time.  You can follow the block orientation as I have done, or you can change it up to suit your fabrics and colours. Don’t be afraid to rotate a block if you have colours that are next to each other and aren’t working out as you planned.  

 

So this week’s task is to post a pic to Instagram using the hashtags #logcabintossqal,#logcabintossquilt and #tiedwitharibbonpatterns of you cutting up your blocks together or some of your blocks all sewn and arranging them.  Get creative, I have loved seeing the posts and reels you have been putting up so far.  It helps to tag me - @tiedwitharibbon to make sure I see your post and of course your Profile has to be set to Public for me to see it.  

Happy Quilting

Jemima x

Brand new in my shop - Fabric Swatch Cards 

Get organised for your next quilt project with these Swatch cards.  Keep all the details listed of your project, take this card easily to the fabric shop if you need to purchase more fabric for you project, see all your colours together. 

Log Cabin Toss Quilt Along - Week 2

Week 2 is here of the Log Cabin Toss Quilt Along and it has been so inspiring to see all the Fabric Pulls all ready in anticipation of being made into a quilt.

What an amazing start we have gotten off to with the Log Cabin Toss Quilt Along - it is so exciting to see so many fabric pulls and cut out quilts block pieces showing up already.  I am seriously in love with lots of these that they make me want to make another one - or ten!  Have you checked out the #logcabintossqal and #logcabintoss hashtags?

  

If you are wanting to join in - it's not too late at all (you can join in at any point). To participate all you need to join in is:

 

1. Get the Log cabin Toss Quilt pattern here

 

2. Sign up for the Newsletter here  

 

3. Post your pics from the weeks prompts on Instagram to #logcabintossqal, #logcabintossquiltand #tiedwitharibbonpatterns.  It also helps to tag me - @tiedwitharibbon to make sure I see your post.

 

You can get all the details for the Log Cabin Toss Quilt Along Week 1 here

 

Now that you have chosen and cut out your fabrics, this week you are going to be working on making blocks.  

 

Tips for sewing on the strips

 

Pinning

 

Log Cabin blocks are notorious for one thing – as you add each side the block can start to become wavy and vary in the size which is highly noticeable as you go to add the next strip. The thing with log cabin blocks is to treat them exactly the same way as adding borders to a quilt.

 

Before you sew a strip to the log cabin block, fold the strip in half (so the short ends meet) and finger press a crease at the centre length, then fold the side of the block you will be sewing the strip to in half and finger press a crease.  Before you pin the strip to the block, line up and pin the marks and pin the top and bottom of the strip.  This will ensure the strip is evenly distribute along your block so it will sit nice and flat and not stretch as your block grows.

 

You can see this reel here I made about adding borders and the concept is exactly the same for log cabin strips (there is no need to measure the sides however for your log cabin blocks).

 

Check it out here

 

Setting your seams

Be sure to set your seams when pressing to ensure nice and straight sewn lines.  

 

Do you ever have trouble with your seams being wonky after pressing? 
Here is a simple tip for straight seams every time. 

1. Press the seam first as you have sewn it. 

2. Then press your seam in the direction you want it to lay.

This is called “setting your seams” and allows the top and bobbin thread to lock within the fabric from pressing, making for a much straighter seam. 

Check it out here

So this week’s task is to post a pic to Instagram using the hashtags #logcabintossqal,#logcabintossquilt and #tiedwitharibbonpatterns of you sewing your blocks together or some of your blocks all sewn.  Get creative, or even your cut fabrics all laid out beautifully.  It helps to tag me - @tiedwitharibbon to make sure I see your post and of course your Profile has to be set to Public for me to see it.  

Happy Quilting

Jemima x 

Log Cabin Toss Quilt Along - Week 1

Welcome to week 1 of the Log Cabin Toss Quilt Along.  I am so excited you will be joining in.

 

 

Designed to be fun, casual and relaxed so that you can work through making your very own Log Cabin Toss quilt over the coming 5 weeks - I am looking forward to having you join in. Everything you need to get you started is here along with the Schedule for the coming 5 weeks.

 

If you are wanting to join in - it's not too late at all (you can join in at any point). To participate all you need to join in is:

 

1. Get the Log cabin Toss Quilt pattern here

 

2. Sign up for the Newsletter here  

 

3. Post your pics from the weeks prompts on Instagram to #logcabintossqal, #logcabintossquiltand #tiedwitharibbonpatterns.  It also helps to tag me - @tiedwitharibbon to make sure I see your post.

 

This week is all about choosing and deciding which fabric you will use to make your Log Cabin Quilt as well as getting it cut up.  Make sure to check out the #logcabintossquilt hashtag for inspiration.

 

Week 1 - Selecting your Fabric

This weeks task is all about selecting and choosing the fabric you would like to make your Quilt from. Post a pic to Instagram, using the above hash tags of your fabric pull or quilt planning to show us what you will be making your Log Cabin Toss Quilt from and to be in the running for this weeks prizes.

 

This is where the sky is the limit - whether you choose Solids or Prints this quilt works.  You can grab fabrics from your stash or use a collection.

 

Make sure you check out my last Blog Post – here you will find my tip for how I chose the fabrics for my Log Cabin Toss Quilt.

You can also see here in this Reel I made how I do this.

 

Prints

For this quilt - multi directional prints work best and are easiest.  Geometrics work well as well as smaller scale prints.  Florals and novelty fabrics are especially good for this quilt.  

 

Solids

Solids work so well for this Quilt and the choices of different Fabric Company Solids is huge.  One way to do this is head over to Pinterest and search Colour Palettes - this gives you lots of boards with a selection of colours already that co-ordinate and work well together.  From here you can pick and choose solids for any colour palette you like.

 

Scrappy

This design also works perfectly to pull fabrics from your stash if you want to go with a scrappy vibe.  You will really make a dent in your scrap bucket with this quilt. 

 

Cutting your Fabric

Now that you have chosen your fabrics, this week is also all about cutting into them.  

 

So this weeks task is to post a pic to Instagram using the hashtags #logcabintossqal,#logcabintossquilt and #tiedwitharibbonpatterns of the fabrics that you intend to use for your own Two Hearts Quilt or maybe them cut up.  It could be you planning out your choices or a lovely bundle of what you have chosen - get creative, or even your cut fabrics all laid out beautifully.  It helps to tag me - @tiedwitharibbon to make sure I see your post and of course your Profile has to be set to Public for me to see it.  

 

I'm so excited to see what fabrics and colours you are choosing - no matter what you go with these will look bold and beautiful in this modern design.

Happy Quilting

Jemima x 

The easiest way to choose fabric for a quilt

Here is my tip for the easiest way to choose fabric for a quilt.  This will really help grow your colour confidence.

Choosing fabric for a quilt can be a daunting task. This tutorial will show you how to choose fabric for a quilt easily and in no time at all!

Quilts can take a long time to make but we do it because we love it, right? No matter how much you love something though, nobody wants to spend hours making a quilt only to find the colours and patterns of the fabrics you chose don’t quite work together. It can be very disappointing!

 

Curating a collection of fabric with colours and prints that work together doesn’t have to be a difficult or time consuming task if you follow these simple steps.

 

Step 1 - Choose your Backing fabric first and use this as your inspiration fabric. You can see here in this pic above that I started with this gorgeous Art Gallery Floral Print for my backing fabric.  It contains lots of beautiful colours that I know will work well for the fabrics for the quilt top.

 

Step 2 - Then from your stash or at your LQS use the colours within the print to choose the fabrics for the Quilt top.  You will also find along the selvedge of most prints a colour guide (these can be circles or little motifs that show each colour used in the fabric)

 

Step 3 - You can see here how I chose this gorgeous floral print first. Then I worked to pull matching colours found in the design of the leaves and flowers. With the beautiful design, the colour palette is done for you so it makes it much easier to choose fabrics for your quilt with an idea of what already works together.

You can also see here in this Reel the process.

 

This technique works both at home and in-store. The good thing is that it’s fast, which means if you’re strapped for time you can duck out to your favourite quilt shop and be home again cutting up fabric before you know it.

 

If you’re online shopping it may be hard to make sure the colours of the fabrics are right for each other. One way to get around this is by sticking with one fabric designer and working across collections.

Check out these patterns that I have designed using this exact process.

 

Log Cabin Toss Quilt

Level Edge Quilt

Happy Quilting

Jemima x 

Log Cabin Toss Quilt Along - Getting Ready

I am so excited to finally release the Log Cabin Toss Quilt.  This design is fun, bold and comes together very quickly with the unique cutting technique of this design. I know that you guys are going to love making your very own version of this Quilt. 

 

You can choose to feature one Print style fabric or make it from any fabric collection you choose.  There is even a Bonus Scrappy Block option, so this makes it the perfect quilt to make a dent in your scrap bucket. 

Starting August 15^th we will be kicking off the #logcabintossqal

The Log Cabin Toss Quilt comes in three sizes – Baby Quilt 40.5in x 40.5in (103cm x 103cm), Lap Quilt 64.5in x 64.5in (164cm x 164cm) and a Queen Quilt 88.5in x 88.5in (225cm x 225cm). 

 

Included in the pattern is a Colouring Page to help you work out your colour placement, you can also use this to plan out your machine quilting.

The #logcabintossqal will be held over 5 weeks - this gives you plenty of time to get yourself all organised before hand and has that causal approach to the timing so that it is not overwhelming for anyone.  I will be hosting it over on Instagram using the #logcabintossqal and #tiedwitharibbonpatterns hashtags.  There will be prizes from some fantastic sponsors, Newsletters each week with information about each weeks' task, along with tips and tricks to help you make your #logcabintossquilt. 

 

So no matter where in the world you are you can Sew Along with us. 

LOG CABIN QUILT ALONG DETAILS

Dates – August 15th – September 12th

 

Duration - 5 weeks

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

Get a copy of the Log Cabin Toss Quilt

Sign up for the Newsletter

Follow me @tiedwitharibbon and post your progress pics to #logcabintossqal

#logcabintossquilt AND #tiedwitharibbonpatterns

SUPPLIES NEEDED

Here are the Fabric Requirements for this Quilt

SCHEDULE

Week 1 - Choosing and cutting your fabric

Week 2 – Making blocks

Week 3 – Cutting up blocks and arranging

Week 4 – Sewing Quilt top

Week 5 - Completing your Quilt Top, Preparing for Quilting and Binding 

PRIZES

There is an amazing Line up of Sponsors who will be offering prizes.  So no matter which size you are making you can still be in the running. Remember you must use the hashtags #logcabintossqal, #logcabintossquilt and #tiedwitharibbonpatterns to be in the running.

KITS

Head to the following stores to grab these Log Cabin Toss Quilt Kits

Crimson Tate

Midlife Quilter

Sarah Made

Augusta Sewing Centre

Wild Blooms Quilt Co

Pink Door Fabrics

Fabric Pixie 

The Log Cabin Toss Quilt is suitable for Patterned prints just as much as Solids.  You can check out the #logcabintossquilt hash tag for lots of inspiration already from quilts already made.  

 

Make sure you are signed up to the Log Cabin Toss QAL Newsletter.  Several stores also have Kits for the Log Cabin Toss Quilt in a variety of different patterns so make sure you get this Newsletter.

 

So get excited and start to gather your supplies.

The #logcabintossqal is not to be missed.

 

Jemima x x