This Is How I Do It

Yesterday a fellow blogger, Terri, asked if I could post some progress pictures to explain just how the Dutch Treat blocks are made.   This is not meant to be a complete tutorial on reverse applique, but hopefully these pictures will explain a little about the process.

I apologize that the pictures aren't the greatest.  They will enlarge if you click on them for more detail.

The patterns are from the book Dutch Treat by Judy Garden.  It is out of print but can be found used on Amazon and other places.

I had my book spiral bound to make it easier to copy the patterns onto my fabric squares.

6 inch squares are cut from the foreground fabric and from the focus (background fabric).  After the applique is complete the blocks will be trimmed to 4 1/2" (4" finished) but you need the extra to have something to hold on to while appliquing.

You can use a lightbox if needed to copy the design onto the top fabric, but I usually find I have no trouble seeing through and just copy them in my lap. I use a mechanical pencil and draw fairly darkly.  I always wash my quilts when they are done and you should be turning under enough that the pencil lines don't show anyway.

Layer the two squares of fabric

The book suggests thread basting the two squares together, but I find using a few pins and removing them as soon as possible works just as well for me.

I usually start near the center of a design and work out.  Begin by cutting away fabric that will be turned under (the places you want the dark fabric to show through).

I just trim one area at a time, do the stitching and then move on to another area and trim.

At this point you are really just doing needleturn applique.  Use fine thread the color of the top fabric and take tiny stiches that will not show.

Move on to the next areas

Two of the flowers completed (actually I guess these are supposed to represent clown smiles as the name of the block is Clown)

And the finished block after pressing and trimming.

Yesterday I also made this block called Clasp

For those of you for whom this day has great significance I hope you have had a beautiful day filled with all of God's graces.

I may not have a lot of computer access in the next week.  But I should have lots of sewing time while traveling.  Catch you later.



Chicklets

Circus (love, love, love this block)

Chocolate Box

1880's Sampler Block 17 Red Cross Variation

These HST's are tiny! 1/4" finished.

Civil War Block 17--Comfort Quilt

Last but certainly not least, the mail brought these goodies today.  A week ago, Elisa, of Postpartum Quilting offered some items she was no longer using to anyone who asked for them.  I had spent that morning complaining about the fact my 6 1/2" ruler had become worn down in the one corner I always use, and with two quilters in the family my rotary cutter is frequently in the wrong place (actually I had two, but one broke).  Not only did Elisa generously send both items to me, but included a lovely origami crane, the Japanese symbol for good health, long life, fidelity and prosperity.  I would like all of those!  Thank you so much, Elisa.

Happy Easter to all.

Two Weeks--Two Rows

Good progress.

Free Motion Challenge

I was hoping to take part in the Free Motion Challenge hosted by Wendy of Inky Threads and  Joanne of Threadhead but just learned a family issue will prevent that, at least over the next week. It's possible I'll still be able to take part starting near the end of the month.

Check out the great FMQ that is going to be shown over the next 3 weeks by those who are participating and if you are a machine quilter, consider joining!

Castles to Cherries

Castle Window

Cats Paw (looks more like jelly beans to me)

Checkers

Cherries

More "C" Blocks

Catching up with Dutch Treat blocks made this week.

Cairncroft

Camera

Canada Goose

Capstone

Card Game

Carousel

Two Beautiful Souls

Monday was a really special day. I spent the morning and afternoon in a workshop taught by these lovely ladies

Teresa Sherling and Barbara McCraw make up B&T Studios in Denton, Texas. We spent the day learning to make dimensional flowers like these

to ultimately make this

Kansas wallhanging designed specially for our workshop.

We had so much fun.  Teresa and Barb's style of teaching is relaxed, fun and effective. 

And the day just got better.   Both of these gals are Master Quilters.  Barbara has had quilts juried into both U.S. and international shows and has received numerous awards and accolades for her artistic quilts.  Teresa is also an award winning quilter.  Visit both of their websites to learn more about them and see examples of their amazing work.

Of course I took pictures and with their permission I will share those with you.  But first let me tell you how very much I enjoyed spending the day with these two quilters. The title of their trunk show was "Two Visions, One Soul". I've met a lot of really nice people since I took up this quilting obsession.  But I doubt I have ever met more talented, funny, sweet and gracious ladies.  It is so obvious that they love each other and love working together.  When they first met they soon realized that while they had each made many of the same quilts or quilt patterns, they each had a different approach when it came to both color choices and process.  Their trunk show showed these contrasts.  I will never forget how these two ladies touched my heart and I can't recommend them too highly for your guild.

As has been the case lately..I'm not up to fighting Blogger's whims  so I'll just give a link to my Photobucket slideshow of their beautiful quilts. 

Click on this link to view the slideshow

 

Brunch to Butterflies

Five more Dutch Treat blocks done yesterday and today.

Brunch

Building Blocks

Bunnies

Busting Out

Butterflies (always one of my favorites)

Keep in mind these are 4" blocks finished, so those little holes in the butterfly block are REALLY LITTLE HOLES!

I'll  be attendng a workshop tomorrow and then a guild meeting in the evening.  So I hope to have some great pictures to share with you in a day or two.  Happy quilting.

White House

Forgot that I also made block 16 for the Civil War Quilt today also.  It's called White House.

Row 1 is Done!

One week and row one of Dutch Treat #3 is done!

 Yesterday and today I finished three more blocks.

Border Crossing

Brooch

Blue Bells

This afternoon I sewed the first 14 blocks together to make row one.  This time I'm going to sew my rows vertically to get better control over the long vertical sashing and keeping it straight.  I'm using the dark brown fabric I initially bought thinking it might be the foreground fabric.  This one is going to be so much fun!

 I also made a big pot of bean and ham soup this afternoon along with a couple loaves of NY rye bread and some nutty spice cookies.

Yum..time to go eat!