Thank You Mom!

I know Mother's Day has passed and I hope everyone had a wonderful day of celebrating.

I tried to write this post all last week but found it just to hard. You see.... I lost my mom 25 years ago last week. Twenty-five years had passed so quickly. I spent last week remembering and missing those days sooooo much.

Mom...Sally to all her friends.... was a wonderful woman with a huge heart, loving soul and a crazy sense of humor.

She was a single mom in the 60's and it never showed. There were home made dinners on the table every night and she was there for all my brother's games and my concerts and plays.

She taught me to sew when I was 10 years old. Some of my fondest memories are sitting at the old Singer machine..........

Mom guiding me over my shoulder...making my first skirt. Next was a pair of pants then a blouse which evolved to an array of dresses.

I thought at the time, sewing was rather old fashioned...but I'm so glad that I listened to my mother because it has made my life so full to sit at my own machine...and sew.

In my retirement where I have a world of possibilities to choose from, I have chosen to spend my time.. like my mother...at the sewing machine.

I'm so blessed to have two businesses that allow me to use the gift my mother gave me. Whether piecing an heirloom quilt or making a pair of whimsical knickers...I truly LOVE what I do.

Thank you Mom for your loving guidance so many years ago...and for your continued *over the shoulder* guidance these last 25 years. You always new what was best.

Your loving Daughter, Cindi

Flower Gardening with Fabric.

In my last post I shared my flower garden with you. It got me thinking.....and off I went to search Etsy for flower quilts.

There were too many to share them all, so I picked some of the most interesting to share with you!




This sweet little cushion is by Roxy Creations. I just love the colors. Wouldn't this be just adorable in a little girls room?




Heather's 3 Stars is the creator of this Monet inspired quilt. It's a beautiful representation of Impressionism.




French Town calls this piece Timothy.....I call it beautiful! I love the way it's quilted.




I think this Black Eyed Susan...in fabric....is just as beautiful as it's living counterpart. Great job Joy Strings.




Thank you for visiting today :-)

Needle Turn Applique...Cottontail style

I've had quite a few requests to share how I needle turn applique....so here we go!


I like to use a #9 gold eye quilting needle. It's small and sturdy. Anything larger has the chance of pulling the *turn* out when the thread is drawn.
My thread of choice is a rayon/cotton blend. It's thin and is buried nicely in the fabric. Less chance that your stitches will show!

My first indispensable tool is a light box. I use it to trace the individual pieces in my applique on to the rough side of freezer paper.
If you don't have a light box, a sunny door or window with easy access works, too. I have a patio door that I use for larger projects. If you're using a vertical surface, make sure you use painters tape (it doesn't leave residue) to secure your pattern to the window.

Once I have my pieces traced...I don't add a seam allowance...I cut them out of the freezer paper and iron them to the right side of the fabric. Shiny side down toward the fabric.



When I cut out the pattern/fabric piece, I add the 1/4 inch seam allowance. I'm a wing it kinda gal, so I don't fret about an exact measurement. The applique process will correct any inconsistencies.



The next step is where you need to practice a bit and see what is comfortable for you.
You can begin the applique with the freezer paper attached, using the paper edge as your guide where to turn under.
Or, you can trace around the paper with a #3 pencil or chalk pencil. If you choose this method, you can remove the freezer paper to applique.

Personally...I find working with the paper very bulky. Sometimes I'll trace the pattern in pencil if it's a very fussy piece. Most of the time I trust my cuts and just go for it!


To begin the needle turn, bring your thread up from back to front, 1/2 inch behind the applique edge.
I wear my nails short, with the exception of my right pointer (I use it as a thimble for hand quilting) and my left thumb. The thumb nail has two purposes. 1- It holds the fabric flat so drawing the needle through doesn't move thing around. 2- It's a little *finger pressing* tool. I press the nail down on the turned edge...and it stays.




Now let's start to needle turn applique!

I'm right handed so the the next step will have to be reversed for lefties.

With the tip of the needle, tuck the fabric under to the end of the freezer paper or to your pencil marking.



With the thumb nail of your left hand, hold that fold firmly. Bring the needle up through the very tip (1 or 2 threads)of that fold. Draw up the thread.



Still holding the fold with your thumb nail, take a tiny stitch through the backing fabric...two threads behind where the applique thread came through the top of the applique.... and back up through the applique as close to the last stitch as you can.



Continue this process all they way around the applique!
Remember to nip...not cut...inside curves.
When you reach the first stitch, insert the needle straight through all layers of fabric and knot at the back.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.

Have fun with needle turn applique!