The theme for this week’s virtual quilt contest is Sunrise/Sunset. I’m loving the colours in these fabulous quilts.

The winner of this week’s contest will win a 3-Pattern Pack from Fig Tree Quilts from Jojo’s Quilt Shoppe.

Now it’s time for you to vote for your favourite!!

• Voting is open Friday – Sunday @ 11:59 p.m.
• One vote per IP address (NOT email address), so have your family and friends cast a ballot for their favourite quilt (from home if you send it to coworkers)
• Winner announced Monday!

 Loading ...

Next week’s theme is Story Quilts. I’m looking forward to reading about and seeing all your beautiful quilts that tell a story. Get your cameras out!

Facebook, email subscribers and RSS readers: You need to visit the Quilting Gallery blog to vote: CLICK HERE

Please join me in welcoming guest blogger Jan Donley as she walks us through her method for machine appliqué. Thanks Jan for being a guest here at the Quilting Gallery.

I love appliqué quilts but I do not enjoy doing needle turn appliqué so I set out to learn how to appliqué by preparing the appliqué shapes before putting them onto my background fabric. I found using freezer paper and a glue stick a simple and fast way to accomplish my goal. I have used this method for both machine and hand appliqué with equally acceptable results, but this little explanation will be for machine appliqué.

Supplies needed to do this type of appliqué: Freezer paper, pencil, water soluble glue stick, paper scissors, fabric scissors, background fabric, fabric for the appliqué pieces, thread to match the appliqué, neutral thread for the bobbin and other basic sewing supplies.

Sewing machine requirements: Your sewing machine must have a zig zag stitch, and the stitch should have various widths. An open toe appliqué foot is also very helpful. Different models of machines have different capabilities, this explanation gives general guidelines, and you might need to consult your machine dealer or local quilt shop for more information.

Continue reading »

My blogless friend, Sandie taught me her version of needle-turn applique while I was with her during our trip to Spring Market (blog posts coming soon, I promise!).

Here’s my first attempt. A bright and cheerful sunflower. I plan to layer it and add some thread painting, especially in the centre wonky circle (that was the design, not my poor attempt at making a circle, honest!).

One of the great things about this technique is that once the registration lines have been washed out, no one can tell where I may (or may not) have messed up. I’m developing an applique fetish, I just need to find my preferred method.

I haven’t given up entirely on needle-turn yet, but I do want to complete Linda Poole’s class where she taught her glue-basting method and then try the starch method as outlined by the Lizzie B Girls.

What’s your preferred applique method?