Month 3

[Judy S.]

On to month 3! and more applique. You will be happy to know the applique motifs are larger and more beginner friendly this month.

We continue with our history lesson. I will note that there is an error, 19 Jul 1841 is the date the women and children disembarked at Hobart after the ship arrived on 18 Jul 1841. Only 179 convict women disembarked -- there was 1 death during the voyage. More to follow -- I'm on travel and don't have the info in front of me.

Julie's video is on glue baste preparation before applique.

[Vicki H.]

After reading the directions for Month 3, I'm hesitant to begin. I have done hand applique before, and the block does shrink after the applique has been done. Wouldn't it be better to do the applique on the strips before it is added to the center block? It would be easier to handle also? Anybody have any thoughts?

[Gayle L.]

Yes, I will complete the applique and then add it to the center block.

[Judy S.]

I agree, I would applique to a slightly oversized strip first, then trim to size the strip to size before adding to block 2.

[Gayle L.]

For the crosses, are folks cutting 3 pieces for each cross?

[Vera-Marie H.]

I'm using the freezer paper method and making 4 pieces plus the centre square for each cross. After I get all the crosses done I intend to applique them by machine to the border strip.

[Vicki H.]

For the cross, I'm cutting it as one piece and then adding the square on top of it.

[Gayle L.]

Are you doing raw edge machine applique? I am doing needle turn by machine so I am now thinking I will do 4 pieces and the square in the middle.

[BARBARA S.]

In show 1801 I think I recall the designer saying that if she were making the quilt again she would change her approach and cut the cross as one piece, adding the square on top? Think I will revisit that show--she was a terrific guest.

[Gayle L.]

Yes, she sure did. I went back and watched it again.

[Barbara B.]

I Also cut the cross as one piece then appliquéd the square in the center after the cross was sewn in place.

[Peg]

After working through 4+ episodes of BBC Doc Martin (love it!) I'm done with Month 3. I had planned to do needle turned appliqué but finally accepted that that wasn't going to happen any time soon. As I had done Month 1 as fused with hand blanket stitch I decided to again do fused appliqué, but with machine blanket stitch. I also decided to do 4 -17" strips for the crosses with separate 4.5x4.5" squares for the corner pieces for the petaled flowers. It made it easier to do the machine stitching and I like the look.
I did the flowers and the crosses as one piece each wth the center square/circle put on at the end. It was much easier not to have to deal with lots of little petals.
My strips fit my center panel perfectly- no shrinkage after doing the machine appliqué.
To date I have been able to use scraps of Kaffe Fassett material a friend gave me and a variety of off-white base fabric I've been collecting. I have plenty of Kaffe yardage for future months, but so good to use the little pieces!

[Peg]

That is looking so good.

[Gayle L.]

You really did a nice job. Which fusible did you use?

[Peg]

I used WonderUnder heavy duty- still has good hand, not too stiff.