An About-Face!

/ quiltinggail

This was written in 2023, but never posted

I’ve called Appliqué CR-APpliqué for quite a while. It’s pronounced CRAP -liqué – with the emphasis on the CRAP!

I LOVE the look of appliqué! I LOVE the variety that you can achieve … But I do not LOVE doing it. I find it painful when I can’t sew at 100 miles an hour! Hmmm … I USED to feel the same way about curves, but that changed when I got it into my head that I can do it if I slow down!!

Sure, when I use my embroidery machine – it’s super easy … like these coasters I made a few years ago: They were easy peasy!

In 2022, I made a few projects that involved appliqué …

And this year, for the 2023 Stay at Home Round Robin, I made this quilt with lots of appliqué pieces … the birds, hearts and flowers.

But, I’m still not in Love with appliqué!

YOGA

When I complain about a certain yoga pose that I highly dislike … my yoga instructor, Sheryl, very firmly and gently tells me that I need to do that pose more often. I do not like that … but I concede that she is probably correct … Actually, I know that she is right!! But, nothing says I have to like it. Right?

Sew … what does yoga have to do with CR-APpliqué? Perhaps, I need to take Sheryl’s advice and do it more often. Not the easy, watch the embroidery machine do it … but actually do the appliqué on my domestic sewing machine. Can I challenge myself to make at least one project a month that involves CR-APpliqué ?

No … that didn’t happen … but read on …

Starting to fall in Love 🩷

In love with what? Appliqué?

Well, um yes. I’m not about to do the turn under, sew by hand way … that is literally too painful for my hands … SEW …

Raw edge appliqué! This has some appeal. Especially since I discovered that I don’t have to do the perfect satin stitch around each piece. I can use a zigzag or a decorative stitch … the sky’s the limit.

Last fall, I designed and made this tree skirt for my niece and her hubby. And you know what? I enjoyed the whole process!!! It was a LOT of fun to make! (bet you never thought you’d hear me say that!). You can read the story behind this tree skirt HERE.

Then, this summer, I made “Tessa’s Turkey.” This POST has all the details.

Then, in September, Island Batik challenged us to use a ‘funky’ stitching technique … it was so much fun!!! (Read about it HERE).

October, brought the Dresden Plate challenge, then I was hooked on Floral Fusion. The 2 small quilts the bow/poinsettia table topper and the mini Dresden were also appliquéd!

And then there were 3 baby quilts that involved appliqué!

That’s 9 projects that involved appliqué!!!

WOW!!! That’s quite a change for me … I’m no longer grumbling and complaining and protesting and squawking and whining and gripping and fussing and procrastinating and dragging my feet when it comes to appliqué!

Fast Forward to Today

I’m LOVING appliqué!!! I’ve been working on the blocks for Toni’s Garden and am about to start the blocks for Garden Song!

I’ve done a total about face!

Here’s my Toni’s Garden, to date and the first block for Garden Song (it’s Denise’s layout, with 2 different choices).

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting! 
Gail 

Linking to:  

8 thoughts on “An About-Face!”

  2. Hi Gail, it’s amazing what practice will do for our skill levels…and when you’re good at something, it’s not so crappy 🙂 I’m still not in love with appliqué but I’ve figured out that I have to be in a calm frame of mind. When I am, it’s a real pleasure but when I’m impatient, I may as well work on something else! Thanks so much for sharing your appliqué journey with us and thanks for linking up to I Quilted This! BTW your tree skirt is gorgeous!

    Like

    Reply

I LOVE hearing your comments. Please note that all comments are moderated and will appear after approval from me! Please leave your name so I know who you are!Thank you!