This blog is dedicated to applique. Glorious applique!!! The focus here will be hand applique, but there is room for machine applique too. Kim McLean is the designer whose patterns and quilts we will be working on together. Are you ready?! Let's SEW!!!
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
I am working on my next block for my Roseville Album quilt. I thought I would show you how I audition the little flowers. I am now cutting 6 1/2" squares from my fabrics and folding them up to use for the flowers, the left over pieces will go in a box to use for circles or leaves in other blocks or the border.
I usually audition a few fabrics and once I chose it goes on the block to see how it plays with the other fabrics!
how do you audition your fabrics?
kathie
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I end up taking a lot of pieces out of the scrap bin, which would be like your squares I guess. I like to choose a few for the main elements and work around those, picking and choosing from there. I guess we all have our own little systems.
ReplyDeleteI start out with smaller pieces. I am not afraid to cut into the fabric as they are so small, it doesn't feel like I am wasting it. I usually end up changing things as I sew.
ReplyDeleteI think it is great to see some blocks done in more traditional fabrics too!
I use my scraps like Janet, or try to fold up the full pieces I have, or occasionally cut a trial piece or smaller square if I just can't "see" it, and like Kelly, I change things later once I've looked at it a bit. So all of the above, I guess.
ReplyDeleteI just have to comment on how many of your fabrics I have never seen before! I don't know how I missed them either, because they are wonderful. Usually, I look at blocks and think "I have that one, and that one." but with yours I just goggle and wish I had a piece! Michele
ReplyDeleteI usually choose my biggest pieces first. I fold up the fabric and lay it in place to get an idea of how the colors are working. Once I have those in place I audition the smaller pieces with bits and scraps.
ReplyDeleteLovely block you have going! :)
Lovely to see your auditioning Kathie. My block sits on my design wall for awhile, my fabrics sit all over my dining room table while I wait for inspiration (for now we are eating in the lounge room). Not the most practical way of doing it, but I do love being surrounded by all that colour all day!
ReplyDeleteAuditioning fabrics for applique can be the most fun! I try to begin with a great focus fabric and pull fabric from my stash that works. I try to keep in mind that tone is important and insert a couple lights, mediums, and darks in every block. I like a blend of large print, small prints, tonals, and some dots and or stripe fabrics. Then throw out anything I just can't stand - and wonder, why did I buy that fabric!! Keep it fun if possible - if you're miserable or frustrated seek a good quilting friend. Trust your instincts!
ReplyDeleteGreat way of auditioning the fabrics Kathie! Reading the comments above, it seems that everyone is so organised, I put the ironed on shapes onto the paper pattern sheet. I also do what Ann does, do the big ones first. Kim McL
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