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Applique tutorials by Kim McLean

Click on the links under the photos to go to each tutorial

Pandemonium applique tutorial #1 basic applique



Pandemonium applique #2 fabrics and double circle blocks



Pandemonium quilt tutorial # 3 the pond and the fountain



Pandemonium quilt tutorial #4  hand piecing, kitchen garden and the folly.




24 comments:

  1. AnonymousJuly 14, 2012 at 1:17 PM

    Hi Kim

    I am just staring to get everything together for this beautiful quilt.
    So question number one ( sorry if you have answered this but `i cannot find it in the quilt instructions)
    My habit is to wash all my fabrics prior to cutting, do you wash your fabrics first for this quilt ??

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  2. kim mcleanJuly 26, 2012 at 8:41 PM

    No, I haven't washed my fabrics, may be I should,but I'm really slack when it comes to washing and ironing fabrics. A lot of books suggest that one should pre wash fabrics. Sorry to reply so late, but I only came across you comment today! I hope you enjoy making this quilt, you won't get bored! Please post your photos, love to see it, K

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  3. AnonymousAugust 4, 2012 at 6:09 AM

    Hi Kim
    Thank you for the reply, it was not late as I will take time to do this!
    I am starting on the pond and as this is the first appliqué hand project I have started I expect to be slow.
    I did find the frogs legs trying - the inner v difficult. Not up to your standard but may be Ok ......
    It is colour selection I find difficult, so a colour wheel at my hand as I try to plan.Thank you for being so inspiring. This for me is my Olympic challenge.
    Linda in wet ish Oxford.

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    1. kim mcleanAugust 17, 2012 at 8:45 PM

      Hi Linda,
      How is it going? I'm sure your appliqué is looking great. Are you basting the pieces first before you appliqué? I find that easier than just pinning it. I know it's a bit of a pesky thing but it does make the appliqué much more pleasant.
      About colour selection, don't over think it? If you are using the Kaffe collective fabrics, you can put heaps of crazy colours and not worry about it to much. Have you tried the " opposite colour" say mix purple and yellow or orange because they are on the opposite side of the colour wheel? Or, look at the colours in the biggest piece and pick out a colour that is in that fabric and use that for the choice of the smaller bits? Let me know how you are getting on, K

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  4. AnonymousAugust 23, 2012 at 1:23 AM

    Hi Kim
    Taking it slow but the pond is growing, I am clearly getting better as I go.I took your advice and purchased some Aurifil and I have to say, with straw needles , these stitch beautifully. I have always sewn so I love the act of hand sewing. I have also taken your advice by not worrying too much about the colours, I am using a colour wheel but also just putting the fabrics down. I am looking at the actual patterns in the fabric for the duck wings etc. I will post a photo when the pond is done ! Thanks Km

    Linfda

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  5. kim mcleanAugust 24, 2012 at 3:25 AM

    great Linda, look forward to your pond! K

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  6. KrisRAugust 29, 2012 at 1:39 AM

    What beautiful quilts!

    I have been searching for an answer to an applique question - hopefully you can help.

    Once my applique stitching is completed (I'm doing needle-turn method), do I cut out the section behind my applique piece - the background block?

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  7. kim mcleanSeptember 2, 2012 at 7:29 PM

    Hi Kris,
    Up to you, I used to cut away, then I did an accident and cut the appliqué as well.
    Horror, I've left everything intact since!
    Also, just in case you need to move some appliqué pieces around, it might be safer not to cut?
    This is why you need the background fabric a lot bigger, appliqué shrinks the background fabric quite a bit. K

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  8. Pia MereteSeptember 7, 2012 at 6:23 PM

    Hi Kim

    What is the names of the background fabrics you have used for the small blocks (pastel fabrics) and the plain fabrics ...

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  9. Lynn EldridgeSeptember 14, 2012 at 5:57 PM

    Kim- This is totally off the subject of Pandemonium. But.. was there ever a pattern for your Turkish Tiles Quilt? If there is one in existence I would look from one continent to the next for it.Just let me know if there is one.Thank you.
    PS- I am starting the Roseville Album Quilt now and am looking longingly at Pandemonium. I work and will be retiring soon. Can't wait so I can spend my time on these beautiful works of art!

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    1. kim mcleanJuly 10, 2013 at 5:08 AM

      Hi Lynn, I've just picked up this question, should have check comments! I cant find the Turkish Tiles pattern in the house. I dont know what I have done with it. May be it got thrown out during a house move, I'm not sure.
      I'll look again! K

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  10. kim mcleanSeptember 16, 2012 at 3:44 AM

    Hi Pia,

    I used the Kaffe Fassett shot cottons, this range comes in a lot of colours. You can see it in the Glorious Colors website.
    I've also got some Reece Scannell shot cottons, bought it from Material Obsession, they are lovely too.
    Sorry not replying sooner, I only saw this today, must check this tutorial comments box more often! K

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  11. kim mcleanSeptember 16, 2012 at 3:50 AM

    Hi Lynn,

    No, haven't got the Turkish Tiles in a pattern anywhere except to the few people I taught in a class about 10 yrs ago! Actually, I can't find the original pattern, I know its in the house somewhere, will look for it. I have been asked a number of times though. Will let you know!
    The Mariner's Compass pattern is going to be published as soon as I finished re-writing it.
    Glad you've started with the Roseville, that was a fun quilt to do. Dont forget to post the pictures in the blog, love to see it. K

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  12. MerelNovember 7, 2012 at 8:14 AM

    Hello Kim.
    What fantastic quilts. I love them. I visit this blog often just to have a peek.
    fabulous
    Merel

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    1. kim mcleanNovember 20, 2012 at 4:31 PM

      Thanks Merel, are you working on a quilt? Love to see the photos,K

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  13. Riet KamstraNovember 13, 2012 at 10:04 AM

    Thank you so much Kim, I've got two of your patterns and loads of KF fabrics, but my appliqué skills are not yet that good, so I didn't start. Your tutorials will help me getting started. Lollypops first and after that Roseville Album I think.
    Thanks for sharing!

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  14. kim mcleanNovember 20, 2012 at 4:26 PM

    Great Riet, love to see your first block. Appliqué is lot easier than piecing! It gets even easier as you do more and more, K

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  15. GuuteApril 30, 2013 at 3:01 AM

    Hi Kim, I've just read there's no pattern for sale from the turkish tiles. I'd love to make this one. Are you going to bring this pattern on the market. There are so many people who love the pattern. If so, I'm the first one to buy it.
    Will you let me know?
    Gudrun

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    1. kim mcleanJuly 10, 2013 at 5:10 AM

      Hi Guute, I replied to Pia's! I can't find the pattern work sheets, not sure if it got thrown out during a house move. But, I'll go through my work room again, it needs sorting out anyway! K

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  16. AnnJuly 8, 2013 at 5:23 PM

    Hi Kim. I am looking forward to your applique class at Taupo, and wonder what thread you recommend to use for needleturn. Do I match it with the background fabric, or the applique? I am excited to be finally starting Lollipop trees with you guidance,after seeing it at Melbourne AQC last year it has been on my to do list.Thank you.

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  17. kim mcleanJuly 10, 2013 at 5:16 AM

    Hi Ann,

    Yay, glad to know that you are coming to the class in Taupo, I'm really looking forward to it. Re thread, I use YLI silk threads and as far as possible, match the print fabric. I also use the Aurifill cotton, they are thinner than the other ones. If nothing else, use a midgrey silk, that seems to blend in. Hope you've cut out all the freezer paper templates, I'm hoping that we'll get to do a lot of the blocks during the class. See you next week! K

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  18. AnonymousJuly 21, 2015 at 11:36 AM

    Is there a tutorial for Lollipops?

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  19. RosJuly 28, 2015 at 6:35 PM

    I would love a pattern for Turkish Tiles if you pri t one

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  20. Judi DuncanOctober 14, 2015 at 8:23 AM

    Any suggestions on quilting Lollypop Trees? There just doesn't appear to be a lot of space on each block to do much quilting....

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