Design Challenge

A few months ago, I was looking around the house for something to applique.  I have plenty of projects started but nothing I was in the mood for.  So I decided I was going to put to good use some of the beautiful hand dyed and batik fabrics that my friend Julie www.jaybirdquilts.com sent to me.  

I am using Marbleous Jacquard in Black by Robert Kaufman.   I can find a good picture of the black but her it is in Cactus...

... but the black....I just eat it up.

This piece is about 40" square at this point.  I took a whole piece of the black fabric and using a paper circle template, traced a circle with a chalk marker.  Then I did freehand drawing with the chalk to make each shape.  I basted a piece of fabric to the back a bit larger than the circle and then used reverse appliqué to create each design.  So... yep its all hand appliquéd and very fun.

Now I am trying to figure out how to set it.

My friend Sharla www.softexpressions.com  suggested that maybe it doesn't need a border which could be why I and struggling a bit with it.  Hmmmm...this suggestion may win out...

I used my Snagit Program to cut and paste some different options.

I tried just making black strips and continuing into a wider border with strips of the applique.

cutting it into piece.....oh my stars... this is scary.

 A suggestion from my friend Eileen http://eileenwintemute.blogspot.com, some simple but offset borders.  I added the shadow in my program but will most likely not add the shadow.

I probably won't get a chance to work on it for about a month, so if you have any suggestions, no matter how wild or simple,  or if you like one of the ones you see, I would love to hear it. Right now the first one and the last one are looking the best to me.

Hope you get to sew this weekend.

Love Aunti Nicole

Reverse Appliqué Class - Done

 Hi All,  Hope you had a wonderful Holiday weekend!  I got to see my cousin Matt and his daughter Brigid who lives up north in Washington.  We had a great time and great food and brought my guitar over to hear what Matt has been creating.  (A budding coffee house guitar star).   Gramma made my husband Pete a pie care package to go.  One whole pie pan with pieces of apple, chocolate cream, and pumpkin.  He was in heaven.

Thanks Uncle Joe and Aunt Debbie for having all of us over (about 18 in Southern California).   I love my family, we are truly blessed.


So Saturday, I taught a reverse appliqué class at Orange Quilt Bee in Orange California.














I had three lovely people in my class and we had great fun.  Ok, maybe not so much fun as they worked really hard.  Everyone did great and I think they all got the hang of the technique.

My neighbor Betty even joined us, I put her in the corner, see.  But not because she is bad.

I brought samples and tools and suggestions, my quilt bag of requirement was packed full, you can't see but I have a pile on the floor as well. ;]



I did not get a picture of the finished results, but we are meeting later in Dec to show and tell and I can't wait to see what they have completed.





So right next to where we are working my sample quilt for the Tic-Tac...Oh!  pattern is display in the store front window.  Very excited about that.





Off to Vegas for my annual Autodesk University jaunt.  I am only teaching one class there this year and am looking forward to it.



Have a great week and hope you get time to sew.

Love Aunti Nicole

Reverse Appliqué Class

November is coming up soon!  I am so pleased to announced that I will be teaching two classes in November at Orange Quilt Bee in Orange, California.  The people there are so warm and wonderful and shop is just gorgeous.

The first class will be on Reverse Applique and I am looking forward to it.  If you are in the So Cal. area, I would love to have you in the class.


I created this pattern with the class in mind.  I hand quilted because I felt the need to have more to do, lol.  The pattern will be included with the class and is small enough to finish in time for Christmas or at least get you into the spirit of the holidays.  If you have a pattern that you want to use for the class bring it with you, you'll be able to follow along with your pattern as well.

Class Date:  November 14th, 2010
Sign up at http://www.orangequiltbee.com/

Christmas Ornies

Hope to see you there!

Aunti Nicole

Memorial Day - Show your Red, White and Blue!

I hope you are all enjoying Memorial Day.  Its a beautiful day here in sunny southern California. 

Remember to give thanks to the veterans in your life.  Thank them for protecting us and fighting for our Country. 

May God continue to Bless You All and.. God Bless America.

This red white and blue WIP was started at least 8 years ago.  I asked my sister Dana to show me how to  do reverse applique.  She is a great teacher and one of my favorite quilters.  I finished the center and gave it to my mom for a border challenge.  She added the red and the NSEW applique.  If anyone wants to volunteer to do the next border let me know, I'm in no hurry obviously.

Ok, I showed you mine, now you show me yours!

Have a great day!