Well... I actually finished it

Here's my effort at the Needleturn Applique. Sorry it is so wrinkly. I don't know whether to press it or not so I won't yet. Technically I haven't finished it, as really this is only a quarter of the quilt pattern! But... I can't attempt another 3 of these. I can't. Why? Because they would look nothing like this one. Ok, if I tried it there would be an illusion that they would be the same but they wouldn't turn out nearly alike. So I think it is better to not attempt another one. My orange petals didn't even come close to landing in the same sort of area on the second side compared to the first. So what hope have I got to try another 3 whole squares like it? None.

I enjoyed learning it. I did. Another thing to say I have tried. Even though it probably won't be something I do again. I think I like the fusible applique method better. I enjoy blanket stitching believe it or not! I also think my placement of parts of pictures would turn out better if I stuck them down much more securely with that. This method just moved too much. No matter how long I spent trying to get it to be in the right place, it wouldn't end up there in the end. Interesting lesson. So I applaud anyone that can do this technique well. Well done to you.

I must find myself another class like the one last week. I must say I really enjoyed the class the other night after a bit of tutoring on the last couple of techniques we needed to know, it was just nice sitting around with a group of ladies doing some stitching. (plus we had the added bonus of the teacher there to help if we got stuck!) I really need to find me some Brown Owls or some such group to hang out with sometimes & sew/stitch/embroider/knit/crochet with. I am sure I can find some in my area that would join me!

Well this project is complete. I have no idea how I will finish it off. Probably just a cushion if I can find a big enough insert. I will pop it away for now though as I am sick of looking at it! Now it is back to our regular programming.

Some more practice

Amelia Jane by Carol Roberts is the pattern we are working for our Needleturn Applique class.

Mine is going to look quite different!

I had my second class last night. Final one too. We learnt how to make nice circles. I have just cut those out ready to do them. We also learnt how to put 2 fabrics together like the red & dark green flower on the top. That was tricky. I have to do 2 leaves with that plus 2 more flowers like that one. There are still a bunch of petals though. Oh, only 6. That isn't so bad. Outside curves are harder than inside ones. Sometimes I feel like I am getting the hang of it & then I don't. It isn't easy but it's not hard either. Just takes practice. I will aim to get it finished though.

The original pattern as above, shows 4 of these squares all pointing into the centre at the red flower. The design really isn't my style so I will be pleased if I can get one square done. It is a good one to learn needleturn with but I wouldn't attempt 4 - I would lose interest well before finishing them all. But at least I have learnt how to do it. I have a book with some designs in it that use either needleturn or regular applique so I will decide which version I use for that, when I ever get to that project.

It's Friday! Happy Weekend!

It's all practice

Well I have got a bit of this done, though none of it yesterday while I was too busy playing with food. I'm funny really - I have the patience to sit down & try to perfect some sewing/knitting/crochet but when it came to the food stuff yesterday, it is very frustrating when it doesn't work out on the first try, or even the second. But not with the needle arts! I'm afraid to say that BJ has some of this trait already showing! lol

Needleturn isn't terribly easy though. I did the vase the other day. It's not centred well. Oh bum. My first couple of petals aren't very good either. I figure by the end of the 14th petal I should be better at it. I did consider then that I could take the first ones off, but I won't. It will be nice to see the way it evolves & if I actually get better at it!

The inside curves aren't so bad. Outside curves are hard! Class teacher picked a doozy of a design to teach us!

Pretty ordinary day here like most of the south of Aus today, so I might just have to go & sort out a bit of the craft cupboard. I may get a bit more of this done too. Like the wise men from Nitty Gritty Dirt Band once said, "It's All Practice!"

My Creative Space

I am finally cutting out my pieces for the needleturn applique piece. You can make out some pencil lines on the 3 fabrics so far. Maybe you can. The only thing I must remember when I take scissors in hand is to NOT cut on the lines! You know I will do it once at least I know! lol There is no shortage of fabric though so that isn't an issue. I think it is just automatic if you aren't really concentrating on it though that you will just cut on the line without a thought. I have just about finished stitching on my stalks. So then I can start on these pieces. The stems weren't too bad to stitch on as like I showed the other day, they were folded under already as are bias cuts. When I start on these pieces & have to start trying the turning of the seam allowance it is going to be quite different I think. I imagine it will feel rather clumsy & awkward for a time until I find my stitching groove. I hope to get quite a bit done in the next few days as the calendar is clear. Wow, how did that happen! Doesn't mean I won't be busy of course, but at least it looks like I can do some fun stuff. Oh & blocks too. Need to get cracking on some new sets.

For other interesting spaces today pop over here & have a nosey around at all the talented folk out there that do & huge variety of creative pursuits!

Needleturn Applique has begun

Not much to show yet of course. Just the stalk & a couple of stems. This bit I actually got done at class the other night. We got to cheat with our stems/stalks because they are cut on the bias. That makes them bend better of course. Since we are living in the 2000's we get to use fancy gadgets unlike the ladies of old who didn't have the luxury of items like a bias folder & 5mm fusible webbing! Hooray for gadgets! I am sure the classes are a ploy to make you buy groovy gadgets. Ok, I didn't buy a bias turner yet as they didn't have any left in stock that had the groove in it for the fusible webbing to go in at the same time. But I will. I did get a couple of other bits though. Like a thimble for this project. Umm... so far I haven't used it. Pity cos it really is a nice pretty one. The new silicone thimbles are the bees knees if you ask me. I did get a very cool glue stick though which I will use when I stick petals on. I haven't even traced or cut out the bits yet. I have got a bit more stitched down the stalk now however.

My problem though is that I can't do 2 things at once! Ekkk... it is a bit crazy I know. (some have loads on the go at once!) I have another one of my animal embroideries started. I will have to finish that first before I sit & commit to more time on the needleturn. I just can't leave that sitting half done. Sorry, but I can't. So the fish come first - I started it first so it is first. (& you thought it was the chicken or the egg didn't you? Actually I am saving the chickens until last as they are my favourite!) Only when fish are done, then this class project can continue. We have lots of homework to do before the next class in 2 weeks. Of course it won't matter if it doesn't all get done - It's not school! (fortunately no exams either! Phew)