Machine Applique my way

I am pleased to say that the bushfires are finally over following many, many long hours of volunteers fighting it and then eventually some much needed rain. So now we can move forward to a positive New Year of hope…..one of my hopes is to shift some of that Christmas ham and pudding from my 'middle' by consuming a little more of this…….

Many photos have been shared of the tragic suffering and loss of wildlife during the fires. The koala is always one that touches the heart and these images resulted in many sewers making mittens for their burnt paws. I'd printed off a pattern as I planned to make some but only heard today that they have received way too many!…..

(Photo source)

(Photo source)

So "back to some appliqué business". I often get emails asking about those fiddly little points when I machine appliqué so I thought I would once again share some of that process tonight. The threads I am using are rayon from Madeira and the magnificent Magnifico from Superior Threads which is a stronger polyester with the appearance of rayon…….

 In the bobbin with the Magnifico I'm using a poly-cotton - Rasant and my most favourite needle - a Superior Topstitch 70/10 needle..…..

 Now to those pesky points. To start with you do need to use an open toed appliqué foot for good viewing. We will start at a join and then stitch around a curve one stitch at a time. On my Bernina 750 I am using a width of 1.7 and a length of 1.7 and I've turned the tension down to 2.5 - you do not want to see any bobbin thread on the top…………

 My blanket stitch is a 3-step stitch so I usually turn at "3". "1" goes forward, "2" shifts to the left and then "3" shifts back to the right where you started. We use these numbers in class and every machine is a little different - some take 5-6 steps. When I come to a join as you can see below I will hang on to my work giving a little traction so it can't move forward. This way I can sneak another stitch in the angle……..hope you can see it here….

 Now I'm heading to a spot where I am going to have to stop and tie off but instead I will go into a straight stitch by turning my width to "0" and then stitch across just below the flower edge……...

I've travelled across, turned my work, turned up my width again and away you go……...

 Now I am coming up to a sharp point and I am going to count as I go. Take "1" forward stopping just past the tip and turn your work……. 

 Now stitch the "2/3" part of the blanket stitch just under the appliqué……..

 Then turn work around to the direction that you want to go……...

 And here is the final point (and my thread collection!!)………….

      

I have two quilts to complete so many more hours of machine appliqué on the horizon. I must mention that it is essential to be sewing where you are relaxed and comfortable - for me it is the family room with Larry keeping me company as we watch Midsomer Murders!!…..

Last weekend we had six lovely friends join us for Sunday lunch. The chatter went for hours and it was almost teatime when we finally stopped! What it did reveal though was that the dining table with eight around it is a little tight - so during the week we had a shift of furniture. The family often has trouble keeping up with me moving things in the house and this past week there has been a lot of it! I wonder how long till I move it all again Sophie??!!

 And then late tonight Larry had moved to his "den" - also know as the lounge where this time he was watching Taggart!!…...

During the week I also had a lovely day with a special friend where I purchased a cheapie chandelier that is really a candle holder. I am a bit of a sucker for chandeliers and this one was an absolute bargain…Made in China but still looks glam! But it did look a bit over the top inside so it has a new home outside until it rusts and Larry said it was so cheap he would buy me another!!……….

I've been looking for a while for a display unit for some of my china cups and plates and a trip to Ikea resulted in this one which tucks in the corner well….

 

 After a couple of days of rain the heat and sun were back this afternoon streaming through the front. Either side of the front door I have two small stained glass replica hangings of the same windows that William Morris had in his entrance at Red House. I purchased them at Red House on the last UK tour and they are made by Winged Heart. The design on the left is Amor (meaning love) and on the right Fortuna (for luck and fortune)…...

 

 The rain has been wonderful for the garden so we are hoping for a little more in a day or so. Things have been growing really well and the before and after result is quite satisfying considering that most plants have only been in less than 6 months……... 

 The roses have been fabulous despite the heat………..

 And the silver birch and crepe myrtle are thriving……... (at the moment!!) 

 And even these plants below have been prolific. I've been spraying weedkiller on them since we've been here as I thought they were weeds….but it turns out it is a cottage garden flower called Butterfly Bush (Guara)!!……...

 So I hope life is blooming in your part of the world x

A tragic time for our neighbours

I woke this morning to two emails concerned about our welfare and both were from New Zealand quilters! Our mates across "the ditch" will always be very, very special going back to the Anzacs of WW1. I was so touched by their sentiment and Sherryn even wanted to send over some quilts for those who have lost homes. For those of you who live far away you must be wondering what on earth I  am talking about? Our home town was tragically hit 24 hours ago with a ferocious bushfire…2015 Bushfires. This is something we all dread and brings back memories of the last bad one in the 1980's. 

When I was growing up we were taught at school that we were "the driest state in the driest continent in the world". I am not sure if that is still true but we do have very hot and dry summers with extended heat waves that the hardy roses don't even tolerate. Coincidently the old rose photo is 2 years to the date since we had another bad heatwave.

(Country Fire Service photo)

So far no human lives have been lost but tragically a boarding kennel caring for dogs and cats was burnt out. These would have been family pets being looked after while families were away enjoying holidays. All the cats perished and a few dogs were saved. Many people are not allowed back to see if they even have a home and the scary part about this fire is that it is so close to the suburbs and to lose your home and all your possessions is incomprehensible…….

(Photo source)

We have many friends who are close to the fire front which extends for miles but thankfully so far they are all okay. I do know the smell of smoke will be awful and haunt them for years to come having been close to a fire ourselves some years ago - I can still smell it and feel the sting in the eyes. We feel so helpless at the moment as we live by the river and ocean and are not affected. Emily and Brett have been having a house tidy these past few days and I read last night on f'book that they have already packaged up and delivered household items for those in shelters without homes or belongings - it is all so awful and consumes our thoughts. Many stories will evolve in the coming days but I think the most moving is the bravery of the hundreds of volunteers who will be working around the clock for days and even weeks to try to contain the fire. Much of it is in our pictorial gullies of gum trees and quite inaccessible. But how brave they all are and many are coming by the plane and truck load from other states to help……the spirit of Australians pulling together in tragic circumstances…….

(Photo source)

So join us in your thoughts for those affected and pray this fire is put out soon

Welcome 2015!

I have no idea where the last few days have gone but I suspect typing a book had a lot to do with it! So before I say anymore I would like to wish you the reader a very Happy New Year and I hope that 2015 is full of good health, great memories and lots of stitching! I would also like to say thank you so very much for sharing my quilting journey with me…….I keep doing this blog as I know it brings so many pleasure (and it is also a great way of keeping a journal of memories for me as well). Thanks for all your kind messages and wonderful support. So what did New Year bring to us? Well it was pretty quiet really - the days of going out partying are long gone, so we are content to see how others celebrate around Australia via the television. I hope it was a good one for you. We sat outdoors for part of the evening enjoying the lanterns under our pergola and listening to fireworks which upset the neighbourhood dogs……….

The book is coming along well as has the taste testing of some of the recipes that will accompany each project………..!!

We also managed to squeeze in a lovely day off with friends having a potter in the antique shops and enjoying lunch in a country town an hour away …………

So not really much more news to tell except to say it is now very HOT!! Today we had a maximum of 44C which is 111F! Sadly there has been the inevitable bush fires not far away and all the more tragic with homes lost owned by the very volunteers fighting the fires……no justice in that at all. Even the birds look hot panting at the bird bath………

So I will finish on a lighter note with some photos I've pinched from the family of the little ones celebrating New Year…..scrumptious as always!