New Tip for the New Year

In progress Rosebud Heart Wreath,  design by Elly Sienkiewicz

 I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season and that it was the merriest Christmas ever!  We were very fortunate to spend a very quiet, low key holiday, surrounded by family and friends. 

As usual time has gotten away from me and I was not able to post in time for Christmas.  Instead, please accept this tip as a belated gift. 

I love to add folded, gathered, 3-dimensional flowers to my applique blocks.  I usually prepare them ahead of time so that they are ready to go when I sit to applique.  In the case of the Rosebud Heart Wreath pattern (designed by Elly Sienkiewicz) there are several folded rosebuds - 21 in all.  To complicate matters, I chose to do them in 2 colors out of mottled, hand-dyed silk.  I wanted a certain symmetry to the layout so I created a mini, portable design wall that I could keep in my sewing basket.

Double-sided tape in a manila envelope makes a mini design wall

 I learned to use double sided tape in a manila folder to keep templates organized in class from Mary Sorensen.  Even though I don't use templates in my applique preparation I always remembered this organizing tip and decided to try it out on my rosebuds.  It worked like a charm!  I played with the lighter colors on top and the darker colors on the bottom, making sure to match both sides of the wreath.  When I finally decided on the layout, I stuck the rosebud in place on the tape in the exact order I wanted them to be stitched on the block.  The tape held them in place securely until I was ready to applique. 



Folded Silk and Gathered Rosebuds waiting to be added to applique block

Closeup of Rosebud Heart Wreath, designed by Elly Sienkiewicz

This is the last block I will be working on this year (for a few days more).  Then beginning in January I will switch to embroidery to give myself a break from applique.  My goal for 2013 is to embroider the 9 blocks I have stitched thus far and stitch the remaining 4 to complete the 13 block set.  I do not have anything planned or ready for the setting triangles but that will be the project for 2014!

From my family to yours - I wish you a happy, healthy New Year with lots of time for family, friends, and stitching!

Best stitches,
Mercy in sunny, warm Miami

Happy New Year from the best fabric guard dog ever - Ricky!