Today I'm happy to be a part of the Playful Petals blog tour. Playful petals is written by the uber talented
Corey Yoder of Little Miss Shabby. She has a great post about why she wrote the book
here. (I love reading the story behind a book!)
The book features 9 full quilts and also 9 pillow options. (You know how I love a good throw pillow!) All of the projects include petal shapes using fusible appliqué. It's a beautiful book and the technique is fast and fun! I know that a lot of people are scared of applique, but really, there is no need to be.
I took inspiration from the quilt on the cover (love it!) and made this mini based on it. Can you believe I passed up an opportunity to make a throw pillow?! (hahaha) I traded in my normal candy colored palette and went with a red and tan color scheme instead.
This was a fun way to play with scraps! I used my blanket stitch on my Janome to appliqué the petals down. (It always feels good to use some of those "fancy" stitches on the machine.) I added some quilting around the petals to add more texture. I love how it turned out!! It measures 15" square and it's scrap project #88/101.
So, what are your thoughts on applique? Do you love it? Hate it? Scared to dip your toe in the water? I'd be curious to hear your thoughts!
Be sure to check out all the other stops on the blog tour. Corey will be giving away a copy of the book at the end of the tour as well!
37 comments:
Your cushion is looking good! I don't mind doing appliqué but probably not hundreds on large quilt :)
Appliqué? What's not to love?! Hand appliqué in particular is restful.
I love the red and tan fabrics you chose.
They're beautiful! Wish I could handle hand appliqué
OK, I've been following this blog tour, but NOW I'm inspired. I love, love, love your project. The colors are perfect to me. I'm adding this book to my wish list right now!
That looks wonderful. I have always loved that color combination.
So very pretty! Red is always a good choice!
I always feel like when I do raw edge that my edges get stringy. It never seems to turn out clean and sharp. :( Your's looks great though!
Love that red check binding. Very cute. Orange peel on my list to do!
Applique is something I have done, keep buying patterns that use it, but yes, it does scare me!! If the teacher is standing right there, I am fine. But me, by myself in my little room on my own, I would rather piece......
But, saying that, I am choosing things to get me into the game and get over this fear because it is just silly to let applique stop me from doing the patterns I seem drawn to.
Same with machine quilting. I have to get over this block to and I am going to break the fear habit on this one too!!
Cute mini!! It would have been a good pillow, but I like what you created!
I have loved applique since learning a simple technique years ago.I guess what I enjoy most is adding something to the top of a baby quilt - balloons, panda face, butterfly etc. Unfortunately my old sewing machine works best on straight stitch right now, so piecing blocks is what I do most at the moment.
I would love to hear more about "Sigi G"'s simple technique.
I like the blanket stitch you did on your applique. I have trouble with needle-turn applique because of arthritis so that is a good alternative for me.
Thanks for the link to the author's blog. The book seed was definitely planted a long time ago. (No pun intended.)
Your mini is so cute! I don't do a lot of appliqué but not because I'm afraid of it. I tend to get sidetracked by the need to use the fusible interfacing which is a second step and an item I don't always have on hand. I'll have to keep an eye out for the book.
I saw this book online recently and thought it looked good. How many ways can petals be used? A lot apparently! The patterns all looked unique and different. Your mini looks great!
I wish my Janome had a blanket stitch! Your pillow looks great!
I love to machine applique. I've done a lot of it and I have finally perfected my style. I would love to have a copy of this book. There are so many cute ideas...some quilts I really want to try. If I don't win a copy I'm going to buy it for sure.
That is so cute! What a great book.
I "am" afraid. I tried and my applique kept moving about and of course the answer is fusible stuff. I will try again when I am sure I have the right materials.
I love hand and machine appliqué. Your little mini quilt is gorgeous. The book looks so good.
Love your mini!
I am dipping my toes in the applique waters.
Am working on two different Hand Appliqued Wall Hangings off & on now...have to finish by Christmas tho! lol Is my first experience with Applique, but am loving it.
Your red & tan Petals are sooo pretty! Loooove this book...and is HIGH on my Wish List now too. :)
Love appliqué sometimes it beats me but mostly it works. It combines fabric, stitching and creative colouring in. I only have done it by hand so far, if my eyesight goes then I may employ the machine!
Love the mini. I've loved applique since making pillows when I was in high school (70's). Check out the Christmas Irish Chain applique quilt in this link: http://cjs-sewingroom.blogspot.com/2013/12/christmas-quilts.html
This was a gift to my sister, I'm hoping to recreate one for myself.
Happy sewing!
This is great! Do you have any hints for using the blanket stitch?? I love that stitch but mine never stays exactly on the edge so it doesn't look right.
I like the look of applique and the process but don't take the time to do it anymore! :(
The grey background you chose is SWEET...initially I thought it was linen. :)
I do love to do applique, I find I do more in the winter. I love the quilt on the cover and well love your little one as well. red and tan I just love this combo! I need one hanging on my wall of little quilts, would love to win this book so I can play with the petals too!
Kathie
I like raw edge appliqué but find needle turn appliqué very difficult even though I love hand embroidery. I'm just about to do raw edge in my latest quilt which is an improv. I felt it needed something extra, so appliqué it is!
I've done some applique but it's really not my favorite. I am working on a project right now appliqueing an owl, raccoon and squirrel for a child's quilt but it's slow going as I'm blanket stitching around them by hand as my sewing machine with fancy stitches is packed away in storage. Your mini looks like it would be a quick one to do though.
When I first started quilting, I did a lot of applique. Love the blanket stitch you used and the quilting accentuates the petals sew well. The red and tan is such a nice combo! Is this going to be hung up or used as a table topper?
Love the red and gray - really looks great!
It's pretty with your red and tan color scheme! Every project I've seen from Corey's book has been gorgeous. I'm one of those a little bit afraid of appliqué so it's good to hear I shouldn't be. I need to get over that since quite a few of my Dear Jane blocks call for it ;-) I like the red blanket stitching too.
I love your project. I checked out this book from our library and think I am going to have to have a copy of my own. Your project is an inspiration to give this a try.
This is charming! I love how your reds pop against that great background fabric!
Love the red fabrics, your petals are cute
Love your fabric choices. It doesn't scare me but I need lots more practice.
Thank you. On your recommendation I've bought the Kindle version of the book and it is full of lovely ideas. This, after I'd decided I was fed up with appliquė! Now all I have to do is persuade the dog that cushions are not stuffed toys to be dragged down the garden when no-one's looking...
I've tried appliqué before and it's fun but I prefer a more modern look - somehow the two styles seem to contradict each other. However, I do love your petals - the colors and blanket stitch really make it stellar!
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