Why Do I Love Needle Turn Applique?

Of all the techniques I use to build a quilt top, needle turn applique is by far my favorite.



First, because I'm not confined to my studio as a slave to my sewing machine for the entire process.

Before I begin to applique, I spend time in the studio building the backgrounds for the blocks. I attach these pieces to the pieced borders forming the foundation for the applique.





I begin applique process by drawing the individual pieces onto freezer paper and cutting them out without a seam allowance. I'll add these later. With a warm iron, I adhear the pieces to their designated fabrics.I add the 1/4 seam allowance beyond the freezer paper pattern, as I cut. This way I can add extra for difficult fabrics, or less for tight angles.



The second reason I love needle turn is portability. After the pieces are cut, I put them in a letter size envelope marked with the name (or number) of the block. I put this envelope and the foundation of the block in a plastic zipper bag. Now when I know I'll have some waiting to do, like at the doctors office, I'll bring out the bag and start the applique.



The third, and for me the best, reason I love needle turn applique is the fluidity. There are no borders to confine or math to mess with or patterns set in stone. The block below has a treee that flow over into the pieced border and I love this effect!





Let me know if you'd like me to post my technique for needle turning. I'd love to share!
Thanks for stopping by...see you soon! Cindi




FUN ‹^^^›_‹(•¿•)›_‹^^^› STUFF!!


Here are my newest Etsy finds. These are shops that haven't been *discovered* yet. Please click the links and let them know you found them :)

A Tree of Life engraved on a vintage brass locket by starsb117.



A butcher block chef station by OgiFurniture.




A fun and fanciful crown for your little princess by GirlGirlBoy.

Happy New Year!

The holidays are now officially over and I hope everyone had a joyful season!

We had a quiet time all by ourselves this year. I served a 5 course meal that Frank and I ate in our jammies. I was wonderful!!

Here is the pattern for my latest quilt project. It is a custom order and my customer has asked that I use batiks instead of the calico. I think it will be very sophisticated and elegant. Production pictures will follow.




With the start of a new decade, I want to do something a little different with the blog.

When I started on Etsy I had some very wonderful Estians that took my hand and mentored me in the ways of Etsy. Some of them went out of their way to help promote my quilts on their blogs. I don't think I would have stuck it out without their help.

So here I am...paying it forward.

Each new post will feature artisans I found on Etsy, that have yet to be discovered. I hope you like what I've found. If you do, please let them know by clicking on the link and it will take you to their shop.


¸.¸,ø¤º°*°º¤ø,¸.¸,ø¤º° FUN FINDS °º¤ø,¸.¸,ø¤º°*°º¤ø,¸.¸



This is a pretty mohair shawl by twistnspin. I think the color is beautiful and I love the design.






This is an amazing quilt I found. The top is vintage and CucumberQuilts had it machine quilted into this stunning queen size quilt. Don't you love the "Sugar Cookies"??





I love the ambient effects that this light give off. The natural state of the wood with the light shining from within makes ravenlights one of my favorites!





This little kitty just plain makes me feel good! I think the face 2CatArt has given this guy is so sweet it makes me smile. Do you think he's amused with the bird on his head??






Thank you for stopping by and sharing your time with me. I look forward to next time :)
Cindi