Month 2 -- Show Your Progress Here

[lesew]

Very pretty! Did you use fusible on the applique pieces? What stitches did you use for the hollyhocks and stems?

I did not use fusible. I used a dot or two of basting glue to hold them in place. I used the applique blanket stitch on my machine and set it at 2.0 on the circles so the thread would show. On the stems I kept it really small at 0.8 so it barely shows.

All circles for months 2 and 3 completed. I chose to machine applique with contrasting threads. I like the "embrodiered look" which makes it more whimsical. It also helps camouflage my circles that are not smooth. I do like the foil technique but still struggle with getting them smooth.

[Jill B.]

Love your work! Using contrasting thread is a great idea.

Just finished month 2 so happy!

[AmyE]

I had to do all the circles

[Barbara B.]

That dark background is beautiful and your choice of fabrics for circles is super—great job!

[Helen W.]

Amy, Your quilt is going to be stunning. Really like the bright on dark. I too am using a black
background but doing flannel for the applique. HelenW

[Jo Anne]

I really enjoyed hand appliqué with the circles. Relaxing!

[Sandie T]

love your material choice.

[Alice]

Month 2 is completed, yay!

I learned a lot during the process, my key take-aways:
1. Stems: To me Sarah's method using Hera marker is easier than KKB's perfect stem
2. Circles: Tried multiple times using Sarah's foil method, just couldn't get the edges smooth! Went back to KKB's perfect circles. Nice and easy.
3. Machine appliqué is easier than hand. Better lighting especially the one with magnifying glass is super helpful.

[Helen W.]

Alice, Great choice of fabrics. Everything looks so perfect and crisp. Good Job. HelenW

[LORI M.]

I’ll probably add more small circles. The circles aren’t following the pattern. Hope its not a problem when adding the coneflower petals. The circles were fun to sew on! I used a machine straight stitch and also some are hand sewn. Some of the smaller ones are wool.

[Barbara B.]

The coneflowers stick out more than you think. Worst case, you will move a few circles once you get Month 4.

[JANET E.]

II

Love the Confetti background fabric a very tight weave. Used Kay Buckley's perfect circles.

[Connie H.]

The first half of the many circles.....

[Donna M.]

Month 2 flowers done. Gearing up for 60 more in Month 3! Impressed at the eyesight of those of you that figured out what to cut for Month 3.

[Barbara B.]

You can make the circles from any of the Month 2 or 3 fabrics. You know from the Fabric Requirements list which are being used for circles now. No reason to make yours exactly like the sample.

[NinaMarie]

Month 2 Done! I did the whole thing by hand applique using Wonderfil's Invisafil 100 wt thread. The stitches are invisible which is sorta crazy! I never did manage to get my circles perfectly smooth using the foil method but they did get "smoother". The edges are super crisp though! Some things that helped...starching the fabric before I "tin foiled" it - making sure my seam allowance was 1/4" or a bit smaller and cutting the tin foil into a circular shape. It's crazy how many hours it took though to hand applique it all...so I'll leave the rest of those circles for next month!

[Carol G.]

I didn't buy the kit, so I didn't pay too much attention to the fabrics. So I cut each template using the same fabric. Oh well, I will live with it!
I am surprised at how fast the actual hand sewing is going. My circles are getting better. Making progress

[NinaMarie]

I like you, didn't buy the kit. But what I did was pick each color of the circles as I went. GOSH, it took forever that way. Doing the process of pick the fabric, draw out the circle, starch, tin foil press, hand applique it on ...seemed like it took a lot longer than cutting them all at once, pressing them all at once etc.

[Sharon P.]

Yea, month 2 done! I was wondering if we sew these blocks together or wait until month 3 is done?

[Barbara B.]

Yea, month 2 done! I was wondering if we sew these blocks together or wait until month 3 is done?

No, do not sew anything together yet. The pattern will tell you when.