More on the Red & Green

I got another block prepped and took photos while I was doing it.  Some have asked how I do it and question why I glue the whole thing on before stitching – I like to wander from room to room to outside and this saves me time by having it all glued in place I do not have to keep going back to the work table to get another piece in place.  Just what works for me – the good thing of quilting, applique and piecing is that we all have our own way to do it and none of it (in my opinion) is wrong – we do what works best for us.  I always say “a quilter never has to go by the rules  – you  make your own rules – for what works for you” (the main purpose of being a quilter  is to enjoy yourself! don’t stress out, quilting should be fun and if you aren’t having fun maybe you need a different art )

My photos of how I do it:

My fabric is a very light color beige Moda Marble. My pattern is traced using a red sharpie. This made the pattern dark enough to see through the fabric with my overhead light on. This eliminated the need for a plastic overlay cutting out one step. This method would also work on a light table.

A freezer paper template cut out and ready to go. I number my pattern and templates with numbers and color groupings making them easy to find. This one for instance is 5 MR (Medium Red)

glue dots on the back - then press in the correct spot

several pieces in place

one flower glue basted in place (the glue really just takes the place of the many pins that some use)

a close up of the fabrics used in these flowers - the white chalk line is my stitching line. Possibly some of the chalk will rub off while I am working but by always cutting the turn under about the same I can judge it if needed.

The whole block - "Asymmetrical Rose" the background color is the light beige shown earlier - the lighting was not right here - it is not yellow one of these days I will get it right all the time!! The fourth photo has the most accurate color.

When working with glue if you need to reposition a piece you can most times just tug gently to loosen a piece and then pin in place if no glue is handy.  If it is stubborn you just damping it and it will come loose.  There is a possibility that you could have a glue dot here or there stain the fabric. I have been using the Roxanne Glue Baste It for many years and only have had one or two spots on one quilt that didn’t wash out the first time I washed the quilt.  I washed two or three times (it has been awhile I don’t remember) and it came out to my satisfaction.  If you are making a quilt though for a show or contest you use your own judgment if glue is the way you want to go with your basting.

This now gives me 2 quilt blocks to applique on my trip and one crib quilt to quilt.  Wonder if I have enough for 8 weeks?  I think seeing as I have time I will prep another block or two

Judy at Patchwork Times has a weekly thing called “Design Wall Monday” people post what they are working on – it is interesting to see everything.  The link is there if you want to see or participate.