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Monday, November 1, 2010

Curvy Tree Applique

I must admit, when it came to preparing the gorgeous curvy trees on the bottom 'animal' block of the Roseville album quilt, I was a little scared! So I took some deep breaths, turned up the radio and spent some time drawing and then cutting out my freezer paper tree...
After choosing my tree colour, drawing around the shape and basting the tree to my background I was able to start on the applique....
And WOW, I am now totally addicted to making these trees! The curves are easy to applique, and cutting away the shape as I go takes away the stress of fraying edges. You can barely see my drawn outline in these pics, but yes, it is there!! 
So there you go, these trees do take a little more prep work, but they applique up beautifully and are not scary at all!!!!
Cathy
Cabbage Quilts xo
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23 comments:

  1. DorothyNovember 1, 2010 at 1:18 AM

    Cathy, that is beautiful.

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  2. lizNovember 1, 2010 at 3:26 AM

    I have done something like that before and they are actually FUN. Such an accomplishment.

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  3. MarionNovember 1, 2010 at 5:04 AM

    You give me courage, Cathy. I have cut out the same tree--and didn't that take awhile!--and am ready to begin the stitching. I really can't wait to see how it will look. Yours is so beautiful in red.

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  4. Cathy @ CabbageQuiltsNovember 1, 2010 at 6:30 AM

    Thank you Dorothy. Liz I agree, very satisfying to make, and fun! Marion I hope we see your lovely tree soon, it gets quite addictive! Enjoy your stitching. xo

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  5. kim mcleanNovember 1, 2010 at 6:35 AM

    Wonderful Cathy! I'm glad you're enjoying the tree, I love them too, these " coral" trees have appeared in my other quilts as well. I love that fabric on your background. Well done!! KIm McL

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  6. Pinkadot QuiltsNovember 1, 2010 at 7:15 AM

    I was also planning on cut away applique, can't imgine dealing with all those little branches going every which way! Beautiful choice of fabrics, that red looks great on the background.

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  7. Cathy @ CabbageQuiltsNovember 1, 2010 at 8:04 AM

    Thank you Kim and Pinkadot Quilts (what a great name Pinkadot!!). Kim coral trees is a perfect name, that is just what they are like, coral. I have just been sitting in front of a Midsomer Murders dvd working away on my tree...still loving it! Pinkadot the cut away applique seems to be a good way to do it, I agree, those branches would have been all over the place!! xo

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  8. Rosemary YoungsNovember 1, 2010 at 8:41 AM

    I absolutely love your tree, your branches are beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing your technique, it is so wonderful to see how everyone is doing their blocks, not only were we able to read about your technique, but we were able to look at your wonderful pictures.

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  9. GlennaNovember 1, 2010 at 8:43 AM

    You did a great job not only with the applique , but your choice of fabric really made the tree come alive.

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  10. MicheleNovember 1, 2010 at 9:02 AM

    Beautiful, Cathy! Thanks for the reassurance, because those trees look a bit daunting........rather like doing Princess Feathers. Michele

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  11. SallyNovember 1, 2010 at 9:59 AM

    Beautiful! I agree with Michele that all those curves look challenging but you've given me confidence! So great to see something "in process" as well as the finished product later. Thanks!

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  12. Ann ChampionNovember 1, 2010 at 10:47 AM

    Aren't those trees fun? I didn't keep track of how long it took to do the first one, but did on the second. I found that once I got it traced it took 18 hours to cut the pattern, baste, and stitch down. Not bad.
    Once the tree is sewn it's such a satisfying feeling of accomplishment!
    I love your choice of fabric for the tree. :)

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  13. Donna~~November 1, 2010 at 11:27 AM

    I love your red tree--that fabric is perfect! And thanks for the inspiration--I admit those trees intimidate me!

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  14. AnonymousNovember 1, 2010 at 11:31 AM

    I agree with Donna, I am totally intimidated. Will talk myself into trying one as I work today. Thanx for giving me courage, all of you.

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  15. MiriamNovember 1, 2010 at 6:39 PM

    Thank you for a great post, Cathy!! I will definitely be referring back to it when I make my trees! They certainly had me intimidated!
    Love the fabric you have chosen!!

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  16. UnknownNovember 2, 2010 at 1:18 AM

    I have a question about your freezer paper method. Are you only using it to trace around or is it under there and you cut the back and remove later?
    Molly~

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  17. kim mcleanNovember 2, 2010 at 1:40 AM

    Hi Molly,

    I use the freezer paper as the template, then use Cathy's method of basting the shape with running stitch inside the marked lines onto the background. Then I cut away the fabric as I sew along using the needleturn method - actually I don't use the needle to turn the seams in, I just use my fingers and press before I applique. The fabric doesn't spring out again as many people think it would.
    With applique, it doesn't really matter if you take a bit more or a bit less with the seam allowance. The fabric starts to fray if one plays around with it too much, so fold the seam in then sew it down straight away.
    Try the different method and see which works best for you? Kim McL

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  18. Cathy @ CabbageQuiltsNovember 2, 2010 at 2:02 AM

    Thank you Everyone.
    Molly, like Kim, I only use the freezer paper as a template. Once ironed onto the right side of my fabric I draw around the edges of the freezer paper (onto the fabric). I then peel the fp off and pin my fabric to the background (I usually just use pins, except for large fiddly pieces when I baste them on). Like Kim I also make sure I finger press around each shape first before i pin it to the background(that took a while to do with this tree). It really does make needleturn easier to do if you finger press it first. Hope this helps. xo

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  19. Cathy @ CabbageQuiltsNovember 2, 2010 at 2:04 AM

    Oops, I forgot to add that after I have drawn around the fp template, I then cut around the fabric shape about 1/8-1/4 inch from the drawn line!!!

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  20. UnknownNovember 2, 2010 at 10:42 AM

    Stunning!!!!!
    cheers

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  21. MollylivebearerNovember 2, 2010 at 12:17 PM

    Thanks for the tips Cathy!
    Molly~

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  22. Piecefully PamNovember 2, 2010 at 3:30 PM

    Thanks for sharing your tips and techniques, Cathy. You make this tree seem less frightening and more doable! ; )

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  23. FocusfieldDecember 13, 2010 at 3:16 PM

    Thank you so much for sharing.

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