Jacqueline's Album and applique methods

I've completed the first two rows of Jacqueline's Album (pattern by Lori Smith) quilt.  There is supposed to be an American eagle type design in the second block, second row.  I substituted that with a different Lori Smith block, one that I thought my Aunt Jacqueline my like.

 



 

I'm using the back basting method of applique...here's the back of one of the blocks....it really amazes me how accurate the placement and shape of applique is achieved with this method!  There are plenty of tutorials around the web on how to back baste...Gayle at Sentimental Stitches is a good place to start.



 

There are many methods of hand applique preparation, and I think I've tried them all.  Backbasting did take some practice and trial and error finding the right needle and thread for the backbasting sewing.  I'm now using Star hand quilting thread and a size 7 sharp needle.  The hand quilting thread is quite stiff and thick, the sharp needle has a thick diameter from tip to end, these two in combination leave a good enough hole in the fabrics to follow when sewing the applique piece.  I also find that doing the backbasting several hours before the applique seems to set the holes to follow.

The great thing about backbasting for me was the accurate placement, especially for those symmetrical designs.

And then I recently received a copy of Jeanna Kimball's Red and Green, An Applique Tradition.  Jeanna provides many terrific stories and information about the history of applique and how various patterns may have been developed.

What I really took from this book was that Jeanna encourages the applique maker to develop her own designs, taking the templates and layouts provided and arranging them in a way that appeals to you...not necessarily following a traditional layout for a block.



 

 

This puts a whole different spin on my efforts to duplicate exactly  the Jacqueline's Album design.  I'll continue along as I have been on this quilt...but I can see an applique quilt in my future where I'm not going to think too much about exact mirror image symmetry!

 

 

Quilts to consider

 

I thought I'd share this link to Sue Garman's blog where she shows off her new quilt, Afternoon Delight.  Scroll down until you see some wonderful applique pictures!

 

And here's a link to the Caswell Quilt.  Corliss Searcy has drawn a pattern for it.

 

I've been busy with hand applique over the past few days.  I completed  two blocks of  Jacqueline's Album first row.

[caption id="attachment_1146" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Jacqueline's Album first row[/caption]

 

 

 

 

Summer stitching

Lots of hand sttching was done this summer, especially in July when it was so hot!  I got two rws of clamshells done for the borders on Antique Sampler.  The instructions for this part of the quilt were disappointing, kind of like...prepare 20 clamshells for each border.  I'll post more tomorrow on just how I went about making and appliqueing them.

I worked on some of the blocks for Summer Reigns, a pattern by Kathy Schmitz.

Thanks to Gayle at Sentimental Stitches, I really got going on backbasting for preparing applique.  I had used this method off and on, but was never entirely happy with how it worked.  

I discovered that for me to be really able to see the holes left by the basting thread, I use a size 7 sharp needle - this needle is consistently thick all the way from tip to eye - and glazed hand quilting thread.  These holes also tend to give you a turn line even when you can't see the holes!!

I got started on Jacqueline's Album quilt...one I've wanted to do for a long time, but never could seem to choose the right fabrics...so I'm making it as a block of the month from the Quilted Crow, it may not be yellows like I wanted in memory of my Aunt Jacqueline, but I'll be sure to think of her everytime I sew it!

a block for Just Takes 2 - I don't think I could have laid out this block so precisely
without backbasting prep!

a block from Jacqueline's Album, showing basting stitches

Stitch good thoughts!