Wednesday, 25 May 2016

Crafted Applique blog hop and a giveaway

Welcome to my stop on the blog hop for the lovely Lara's new book, Crafted Applique.  There have been lots of great posts on this already - do go back and check them out if you haven't already: you can find the full schedule, with links, here.

There are some great projects in this book - what's not to like about a little vintage caravan?  But I know myself, and I know that I am useless at following instructions, so I thought that rather than trying one of Lara's projects and embarrassing us all, I would think about what I would want, as an improv quilter, from this technique.  I decided I would use a little cat picture that my youngest girl had produced (actually she's produced about 200 of them, all about an inch across).  I enlarged it on the photocopier to get a size that was workable, and then pulled a load of floral prints and went about putting together a garden for it to live in. 
The  thing that had leapt to the front of my mind at the start of this was that I wanted to be able to work with these applique pieces in much the same way as I do my piecing: I wanted to play around before sewing things down, to try out different layouts, add bits and take bits away.  Of course you can do this with pieces you are going to attach with traditional methods, but I have found various drawbacks to this (though that may just be me).  Lara's method performed beautifully: no fraying, not one tiny thread, and none of that thing where you've just got it right and someone opens a door and the whole lot goes flying.  I played around for ages with these pieces and they were as good as new when I finished.

The second thing I wondered about was whether this method would still work with hand stitching.  I don't at all enjoy the painstaking work of machine stitching shapes into place - would I be able to secure these without the machine, ie would I be able to hand stitch through the prepped pieces.  I have to say I expected this to be where the method fell down for me but it worked fine.  I used a nice sharp needle and Sulky 12 thread, but even when I switched to perle no. 8 (just to do the knots for the cat's eyes) I had no problems.  I would certainly feel confident planning to hand quilt a piece made in this way.

As a side note, the book also includes a method for back coating fabric; if I had been more patient I could done this and the cat would not have stripe down the middle of his head!

Now the fun bit: if you would like to win a copy - and I really can't see why you wouldn't want this book - leave a comment.  It can be any comment but if you want a starter, how about telling me if you are already an applique person and if so what your favoured method is right now.  If you already have a copy, enter anyway, as Lara has offered to refund the purchase prize if you win.  A winner will be randomly selected next Wednesday, 1st June. For more chances to win, check out the remaining participants in the blog hop - and good luck!

108 comments:

Julia D @ Jada's Quilting Adventures said...

What a sweet memory of something that your daughter made. I love that idea! I do some appliqué projects. I use WonderUnder and then machine stitch around the piece. I'm not a fan of hand stitching which is why some of my quilts don't get a label on the back. There's a small one sewn in with the binding though ;) Thanks for a chance at the giveaway.

MMorton said...

Darling project. Looking forward to finding an easy method of keeping background fabric from showing through.

Betsy said...

I am an appliqué person. It is basically all I do now. I needle turn and would love to learn a new technique

lauraluvsloons said...

I love to machine applique turning the edges under with freezer paper, glue or starch. But that only works easily with simpler shapes. I can't wait to try this new raw edge technique with more intricate applique.

Libby in TN said...

Of course you'd do it your way; I'd expect nothing less from you! Nice to see lara's technique works in multiple ways. OK, I give in. I've seen too many great projects based on her book. I need to try it. Please put my name in the pot.

Kathy H said...

I love applique projects.i am using fusible techniques and am always looking for some better way to improve.

Linette Greene said...

I am soooo not an appliqué person but a, drawn to appliqué. I am excited to try this technique. I just made a white bunny for The splendid Sampler and he has millefiori Kaffe peeking through his feet like your cat's stripe. I have some gorgeous appliqué kits my husband bought for me at a quilt show-- this gives me the confidence to try. I usually use fusible.

Alice Ronne said...

Not an applique person so this is "stepping outside of my box". Thanks so much for the chance! akronne17@gmail.com

Anita said...

Machine appliqué is one of my favorite methods, but I also enjoy needle turn. I would love to try out the new method!

Yanicka said...

I ordered this book....can't wait to get it :)

Jocelyn said...

I haven't done much applique but would love to learn Lara's technique. Thanks for the giveaway.

Vicki in MN said...

Of course I would love to win Lara's book. I do machine applique, not that I enjoy it, but like the look. So I would love to learn Lara's technique and give it a go.

Ioleen said...

I do some appliqué using the raw edge method. Mind is open to trying new ways.

Afquilt said...

Love the look of applique but haven't gotten the hang of it yet. I feel like this book is just what I need!

Knittingdancer on Ravelry said...

I haven't done any applique quilting but I think this would be a good book to help me.

NancyA said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
NancyA said...

I have tried several methods of applique, but not fond of any of them

NancyA said...

I have tried several methods of applique, but not fond of any of them

cjmont said...

i do fusible applique but don't like the stiffness of the pieces, would love to try this new technique,

@lutzcats said...

Yep, love me some applique...needle turn!

babiesdoc said...

I also have done fusible applique but don't like the stiffness and It still ravels after a few washings

Darleen said...

I'm not good with applique but would love to learn a better way.

Lara B. said...

Hi Kaja! I just knew you would take the Crafted Applique' technique and make it your own. Your project is so whimsical and a real delight! Yes, this technique is perfect for improv quilters - especially because you can cut out any shape you desire and then iron on and peel off pieces over and over again. (I did it nine times in a row and it still worked great.)

I love what you did with your daughter's kitty drawing and the exotic and magical little garden you placed him in! Did she see it yet? I bet she'll be delighted! I'm looking forward to being able to do something like this with our granddaughter's drawings someday.

Thank you for writing such a wonderful post! :)

sophie said...

Appliqué is the thing that often stalls a project for me, although once I jump into it, I always enjoy it, whether it it needle turn hand appliqué or "fused and tattooed" by machine. Thanks for sharing your experience--it looks like a great book.

JANET said...

I hand applique. I have done machine applique before, but do not like the results. I need to get this book and learn Lara's technique!

Lori Smanski said...

your piece is adorable. i have done hand applique and would love to learn to machine applique.
thanks for this chance.
quilting dash lady at comcast dot net

Anna brown said...

Yesss i love to applique on blankets just to give them pop... happyness04431@yahoo.com

Kate @ Smiles From Kate said...

I don't need to go in the draw, I already bought it from Amazon UK, and it's every bit as good as I expected. This is one book I don't regret buying.

Laura said...

I've tried various methods of applique, but it's not my favorite technique. Would love to explore other ways using the method.

JanineMarie said...

I've been telling bloggers on this hop that I've done some needle turn applique, but only because I had to for the look I wanted. I really didn't enjoy it. But now that I think about it, some of my landscape pieces have machine straight stitch sewing along the edge of the fold, and I do enjoy that, so I think all-in-all that I would really like Lara's method. I'm glad to know that hand stitching works with it, too. (Lara's method just really seems versatile!) I like how your daughter's whimsical drawing translated into fabric, and I see that it worked well for you to layer pieces over the edges of other pieces. That would be necessary for what I want to do.

Tish Stemple said...

I have to say applique has not been my favorite thing to do in the past, but Lara's method has me extremely excited because I think I might fall in love with it.

OhioLori said...

Wowie!!! Your project is Awesome!! Lots of small details too! I have only done a little Hand applique..am way sloooow at it! LOL This book & Hop has sure encouraged me to give it a try again! :) Thank you for chance to win your give-a-way too! :D

Kathleen said...

Love this project. So curious what her technique is.....

suzanprincess said...

I'm so curious to learn this new technique; it might make an enthusiastic applique artist out of me yet!

Brenda said...

I followed the link from Yvonne's Blog (Quilting Jetgirl) and once again my curiosity is soaring about this method. I am truly hoping that I win one of the books since budget funds are not available at this time to buy one. I absolutely love applique, pretty much any method depending on the project and what I feel like doing. One thing that I truly enjoy doing with applique is the Trapunto effect. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and lovely photos and increasing my curiosity about this method even higher. Have a fantastic creative day!

Gene Black said...

I have been following this blog hop for days and I really REALLY want to try this. Please put me in the draw for the book - and I will be hoping for a win.

Nancy J said...

Your applique with so many tiny pieces looks amazing, and the method from Lara must be the best ever. I use fusible web, iron, peel off the paper, iron onto the backing fabric, and stitch with a slanted buttonhole on my Bernina. Another wonderful generous give-away .

barbara woods said...

i would really love to win this book, need all the help i can get

Kathleen said...

I am learning so much about this book on this hop. You have explained the ability to hand stitch which is good to know. Can't wait to learn about the technique! Thanks for the opportunity to win.
kakingsbury at verizon dot net

Sue said...

Love that cat, it is so whimsical! I have not been much of an applique person, though I have done some raw-edge fused appliques in the past. I am intrigued by whatever this magical process is, and wonder whether it would also work for reverse applique. Also, having just joined a group of art quilters, I would love to be able to share the book with them!

Catherine said...

I love your (and your daughter's) picture! I like making very tiny applique pictures and would be very grateful for the opportunity to learn more.

Martina said...

I love applique very much and switch between buttonhole and needle turning. This methode sounds great to try out and I really love your quilt!

patty a. said...

I have done both hand and machine applique. I am not crazy about raw edge, but from what I have been seeing on this tour I think my mind is going to be changed.

Unknown said...

I have just finished the William Morris Morning Glory quilt. I did fusible applique with a machine blanket stitch around everything. Thanks for the giveaway!

Jen said...

Improv quilter...I like that.
I have only done one applique quilt and I used invisible thread - in hindsight, probably not the best choice for a first timer, but lessons were learned and it turned out ok. :) I am looking forward to learning more about applique and trying it again soon.

Mary Marcotte said...

I do applique, though less now than in the past, but I've not heard of back coating fabric. I'll get the book regardless because I really want to read it and love that little camper on the cover, but here's yet another reason to pick it up. Thanks for participating and hosting the giveaway!

Cathy said...

What a cute little broderie perse project - striped head and all. I only have appliqued simple shapes - a 30s butterfly, circles, leaves and used needle turn and back basting methods. I've tried reverse applique as well. I tried fusible applique and hated the stiffness of the pieces. I keep reading about this mysterious new Lara method and might have to get the book one way or another because I'm just plain nosey and dying to know what it's all about..

mumbird3 said...

Love what you did - I can't begin to applique that beautifully! I am very curious about this book!! Most of my applique gets very wrinkled looking!

LJ said...

I'm in; you've convinced me; I want this book. The techniques you've talked about are important to me and I need to find out how to do them.

Sewgirl said...

I don't do a lot of appliqué, but when I do, I have used the raw edge technique. Thanks for sharing the giveaway!

Gloria said...

No I am not an applique person but this book and everyone's encouraging comments are making me want to do it.

Kathy E. said...

Kaja, I like your cat with the head-stripe! It gives him character!
I do like applique and I've used it in every way (except using Lara's method...yet). I also have an embroidery machine to applique and that's fun too!

sherry said...

i do mostly raw edge appliqué altho on bigger pieces i do use needle turn…i love designing my own patterns which are mostly appliqué

leanne said...

love your piece - its adorable ! I've only just learnt needle turn applique and I have to say I'm not that keen - I'm thinking that Lara's technique might be good for hand applique without the needle turning !!! thanks for the giveaway :)

Carol said...

I don't really have a favorite method, but I have tried both needle-turn and fused raw-edge.

Lisa J. said...

I am not crazy about applique so far but I've seen some projects in this hop that just might tempt me to try again.

Quilting Babcia said...

Your applique project is totally fun loving, and after seeing all the projects on this blog hop I'm really going to have to try Lara's methods.

Anne said...

Currently I am using a light interfacing and sewing it to the front of the shape, then turning it over.I find it very tedious. Ready to try this new method.

Kathy's Korner said...

Love your applique project! Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy of Lara's book.

Tina said...

Love to try applique but don't know where to start. This book might just be the right one to get me going.

Sarah J said...

I am so intrigued by the projects I'm seeing from this book! I have done some basic machine applique and would love to give this method a try- thank you!

Jennifer Scantlebury Vienneau said...

Your daughter's cat is adorable! Love appliqué!

GranChris said...

My applique skills are only so so. I need practice lots of it, but I am old so I don't know if there are enough years left.

Helen L said...

I usually do traditional applique with the freezer paper, but if this new way works without they fraying threads, I'm all for it!! It would sure help me get more quilts done in my lifetime! :-) Thanks for all your info on how it worked for you with the different threads too! Hugs, H in Healdsburg

fabricstasher24@gmail.com said...

I have tried needle turn applique and zig zag edge applique - each has it's own merits. Next step is to try raw edge applique with the help of Lara's book, of course.
fabricstasher24@gmail.com

victoria said...

Just an FYI - my real live cat HAS a stripe down the middle of his face. So to quote a line from my favorite movie MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING "there you go"! Can't wait to give this new method a try.

Wendy said...

I do like a bit of applique. Either raw edge on the machine or fused and hand embroidered decoratively

sisylyn2 said...

A great book. I would like to learn applique.
gandn74@ymail.com

Marly said...

I wouldn't say I'm an appliqué person, exactly, but since starting Quilty 365 on January 1, needle turn doesn't scare me any more! I would love to read this book to discover Lara's method and apply it machine appliqué.

Karen in Breezy Point said...

I love applique and I'm always ready to try a new technique!

Nann said...

I enjoy machine applique thanks to great workshops with Pat Sloan and Robbi Eklow. I have followed all the daily posts in this blog hop and I am really, really intrigued by Lara's technique!

Nann said...

I enjoy machine applique thanks to great workshops with Pat Sloan and Robbi Eklow. I have followed all the daily posts in this blog hop and I am really, really intrigued by Lara's technique!

Lisa England said...

I do some applique and don't really have one favorite technique -- it just depends on what I'm making. I think Lara's method looks like it would be a good one for many different types of projects and I look forward to learning it. This looks like a very useful and wonderful book!

mangozz said...

I've done machine applique and needle turn too, but I would love to see what her secret is. There have been so many rave reviews.

Nancy said...

I've only ever done hand applique. I love its portability.

Thanks for blogging about this book.

--Nancy. (ndmessier @ aol.com, joyforgrace.blogspot.com)

Needled Mom said...

It's nice to hear that the hand stitching went so well with the crafted applique technique. The fabric has such a nice hand when done with that technique.

I had not been a fan of applique until trying this technique.

barbara woods said...

I have loved trying it but could use help

barbara woods said...

I have loved trying it but could use help

selleck said...

I like the satisfaction of hand applique because I can do it in front of the TV with my family.

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

I have never appliqued and I want this book a lot. If I can't win it, I am budgeting to buy it. The technique looks so easy.

Linda Williamson said...

I'm working on the Splendid Sampler and my appliqué needs all the help it can get. This technique just might be the answer. Thanks for the giveaway

kupton52 said...

I am an applique-er....usually blanket stitch by machine....and that's great for some things...but not everything. My needle-turn hand applique needs work. That's why I'm really excited about Lara's technique!

Jayne said...

I am so intrigued on Lara's method of applique! I've done a little, but not a big fan of fraying...now I want to give it another try!

Rebecca said...

oh I need help with the applique sewing, this book sounds like just what I need. I've given up on it because it always looks soooo bad!
sewfabrics at outlook.com

CyndyK said...

I have tried needle turn applique in the past and didn't have too much success, so I am really anxious to learn this new method. Thanks for offering the giveaway. cknapp3626(at)sbcglobal(dot)net

Angie in SoCal said...

I do applique - usually machine with turned under edges, but have done just as much raw edge also. I'd love to try this new method. THanks for the chance.

Karen Rowland said...

I would love to learn to appliqué
sweetpeamarie2003@yahoo.com

Linda Williamson said...

I'm not very good at appliqué yet, although I love the look. Maybe this book would help. Thanks, grinnie1961 at gmail dot com

Jenny said...

Oh yes please - something to make my applique look a little better than it does! Thanks for the chance to win this wonderful new book.

Emily C said...

I love fusible applique.

Tu-Na Quilts said...

I haven't found an applique method that's worked for me. I've been to several classes and haven't even finished one block. Maybe this book is just what I need.
kthurn(at)bektel(dot)com https://tunaquilts.wordpress.com/

suzanprincess said...

I'd love to know an easy way to applique; my fingers are no longer happy to hand sew for very long.

Alice Ronne said...

Please enter me in the drawing. I would love to learn an applique method that looks like it would work for me. Love the beautiful pics of flowers on your blog this morning! akronne17@gmail.com

Gill said...

This looks a great book - I've only done a little fusible applique!

Paulette said...

I like your sweet applique! It's good to know you had no problems hand quilting through it. (Skip this comment for the giveaway since I'm on the blog hop.)

babiesdoc said...

i have done some qpplique using wonder under and have been disappointed after a washing

Unknown said...

Thanks for the giveaway chance. I'd like to try this method. refusestofear at yahoo dot com

Mara said...

I do like doing applique and usually just use a backing and iron it on and stich around, would love to know what Lara's technique is.

Terry Aske Art Quilts said...

I do a lot of appliqué, usually with fusible web. But I'm always looking for new and better techniques.

Anna-Marie said...

I've really enjoyed seeing everyone's projects on this blog hop and would love to win a copy of this book. Thanks for the chance.
annamariehlustik@googlemail.com

Brenda said...

I have always loved applique since trying it when I first started quilting. Right now I enjoy fusible with a satin stitch edge. I am so hoping to win a copy of this book and discover its secrets and make some awesome applique quilts using her methods. Thank you for sharing and the opportunity to win this book.

Monica said...

I am glad to read that as a hand stitcher, this method still worked for you! I have been pretty focused on needleturn applique so far, but it is always helpful to learn something new. Please count me in!

Dody said...

I'm just a beginner any advice is always welcome. I would love to win!.
Dmac5958ataoldotcom

SarahZ said...

I have avoided appliqué forever after learning how in my first quilting class...but I think I would like Lara's method, as It may not be so "fiddley" as turned under edges...I also avoid hexies for the same reason!

sam said...

I just finished an applique project requested by my sister using Lara's technique. Love how soft the fabric remains.

Béa said...

I love applique & would learn this method.

Connie Kresin Campbell said...

What a neat piece! Lara's technique is really fun to do and like you, I still want to try the method of back coating the fabric.

virgdale said...

This is a great sounding technique!!