Moving along

Recently, I hit a bit of a wall on my applique project.  Unlike blocks I've sewn before, this one has multiple blooms made of several layers and I was unsure about how I wanted to proceed regarding the cut-away issue.  Years ago when I appliqued a Whig Rose, I cut away under the center motif and recalled not being happy with the way that weakened the background fabric.  Yet the prospect of a blossom comprised of 3 or 4 layers on top of the beefy Moda Bella background concerned me as well...can you say *top heavy*?

I decided to go to my books and consult the experts.  The Piece O' Cake girls clearly state in their last book that they do not cut away.  Jo Morton doesn't mention it.  However, in her most recent book, she references a method of applique that Jeana Kimball outlines in more detail in her book, Virtues.  It seemed cover what I was looking for - multiple layer applique - so I ordered the book.

My applique block was too far developed to try Jeana Kimball's method as described, but from it, I adapted a solution that I am happy with for this project.  Perhaps this is how most accomplished applique-ers do it, but I hadn't used this method before.  What I did was lightly trace a template for the next layer onto the red appliqued blossom.  Then, in a contrasting thread, I basted about 1/8" inside that traced line.  (Click on photo to enlarge if necessary.)

  

Once the basting was completed, I carefully snipped out the center of the red blossom, another scant 1/8" inside the basted outline.  This left the background fabric strong and intact, while securing the inside flower edge for the next layer of applique.

 

Voila!  The pink blossom went on like a dream - no bulk!   Now just seven more to go...before the next layers.  (Do you detect a little *sigh* in there?)  Despite the work, I am love-love-loving this block and am anxious to get it finished.  My photos were somewhat compromised by the dark and gloomy weather we're having this week.  While it's not great for shooting pics, it's wonderful weather for getting some applique done...no guilt over yardwork that's beckoning!

***I found Jeana's method for appliqueing multiple layers pretty interesting and will probably try it on a future project.  (Although it took several reading to absorb what she was describing.)  If you do a lot of hand applique, I'd recommend the book.

Comments

[monica]

oh my oh my.

I have suddenly gained another HUGE quantity of respect and admiration for people that sew those beautiful quilts.

I'm speechless... I know there's no gain without pain but...

[flossyblossy]

I love hand piecing but have not really done much hand applique. These are beautiful!

[Julia]

Hi Jan,
thanks for sharing your experience with this method. I haven't heard about this before but I'll definitely try this way to appliqué multiple layers.
Have a great day,
Julia

[Kellie Cales]

I have such a hard time with applique. I've tried hand and machine. Would you be able to recommend a very basic book for very untalented beginners?!!

[Una]

Wow, Jan! Thank you so very much for sharing this!! I have been wondering about the same these last few weeks. Your description of the technique is very helpful. The red and pink together is just smashing! The block will be lovely. Cannot wait to see it. All the best, Una

[kathie]

Isn't Virtues a great book?
someday :)
oh I love your block oh and the fabrics are to die for :)
Kathie

[JudyC]

Good solution for you. I'm a no cutter gal, I don't mess with the background. I just learned that way but I can see the bulk issue. I sew the top layer flower piece on the under layer flower off the background. I don't cut that one until after I'm done sewing. I mark it but dont' cut the seam allowance. Then I add each piece under until it's down to the last one before I get to the backgrd and sewing them all down.

But I've never done more than 3 before if I remember right. It's looking good!

[Janet]

You don't know how much thought I've given to the same issue! I think if my applique stitches are small enough, it doesn't weaken anything, after all it's no different to a seam. The other part of me doesn't want the background cut so in that case, I would assemble the flower off the block and cutaway as I do it, then put the flower on the background.

[Miriam]

Thank you for sharing that applique method. I love hand applique and I am just beginning to move on from simple projects to more complicated work. I will keep an eye out for Jeana Kimball's book.

Your work is beautiful. :)

[Thimbleanna]

Well, I certainly do love your method Jan. Thanks so much for sharing it -- I love that the back is preserved. I have to at lease slit the back to remove paper -- I just can't make needle turning look pretty. Is Jeanna's method much different from yours?

[Kristin L]

Clever solution. I like it.

[MJinMichigan]

I use Piece O Cake's off-the-block construction method for layered designs - applique each layer onto the lower layer and cut out the backing until the entire unit is finished. Then applique the unit onto the background and leave the background intact. It makes applique easier to hand quilt while keeping the stability of an intact background. I also find it easier to do the applique on smaller pieces to make the unit than it would be to do all the applique on the large background.

[diane]

When I began quilting in the early 1980's, Nancy Pearson was the applique guru and she cut away the background. I suspected that antique quilts were not made this way and I always feared cutting away would weaken the structure of the quilt. Leave it to Jeana Kimball to find a perfect solution to the bulk issue. Thank you for illustrating this technique so beautifully. Your fabric choices and needle skills are perfection, Jan!

[catherine]

i construct the unit (blossom) separately before sewing it to the background - 1)sew the circular blossom center to the 1st layer of the blossom that is drawn but not yet cut out - 2)I do NOT cut out the center of the 1st layer of the blossom because I don't want the circular blossom center to collapse - 3) sew this unit to the next layer of the blossom before that layer is cut out - 4) from the back cut out the center of this blossom & then the resulting unit from the fabric on which it is drawn - 5) proceed for each subsequent blossom layer - you will end with a blossom ready to be appliqued - the only backing not cut out is the blossom center & the 1st layer of the blossom - I never (never say never) quilt over the blossom center, just in the ditch around it to make it pop so the most I am quilting through is the background & the 1st layer of the blossom (plus the quilt backing & batting, of course)

[thegirl]

hi jan! thanks for commenting on my blog. i can see where molly gets her flair for color and pattern! your pictures in "one thing leads to another" and "summer daze" are especially lush and marvelous. wishing you well!

[KathieB]

Thanks for sharing this technique. I'm soaking up all these tidbits on applique and storing them away...

The colors you're using are just so....snappy. Red and green applique--eternally fresh and new looking.

[tracey]

jan, i have a tutorial on my blog that is for backbasting (both single and multiple layer). i, too, had to read the directions through a few times to "get it", and decided (about 3 years ago) to make up a tutorial (complete with pics) so that others would "get it" easier. it's a *wonderful* method!!

tracey
www.decafplease.wordpress.com

[amy]

OH MAN, you're a genius! I don't think it ever would have occurred to me to just cut away the "background" applique shape! It's looking gorgeous, BTW!

[dixie]

Gorgeous block and a great tutorial. I will remember this the next time I find myself in this situation. Thanks!

[Rima Aranha]

Wow. This is just gorgeous!

Rima
www.yarnydays.com

[Frou]

What a great idea... and that reminds me, I have the Virtues book... love the blocks, not so keen on the idea of having the words on the quilt.