by Sandra | March 9th, 2009
Maybe I really don’t want an answer to that so humor me.
Unfortunately though, I am starting to get that impression when it comes to the future of hand applique. Defiantly, and as always, I shall forge on and fight off extinction if at all possible because I love what I do even though it is becoming a difficult path to follow professionally right now.
Even as fused and machine applique are all the rage, I still prefer the tactile dimensionality of hand applique. The beautiful neatly turned edges and the plumping of the surface along with a soft drape. Like the handmade couture dress, it is a pleasure to touch, to see, and has no equal in skill or artistry.
The beauty of the unlimited design possibilities combined with the beauty of the skill required never cease to inspire me to create my own. I have the opportunity to create my own quilt world version of the “couture dress”. I couldn’t stop at one regardless of my type “A” personality and a definite lack of focus.
Without a doubt, hand applique takes more time and dedication. However, the end result is so worth it and the satisfaction of having done it is immeasurable and I will always have a “couture dress” as a result of my efforts. One that can be handed down and treasured by future generations.
As far as becoming a dinosaur, I just hope I make a good looking fossil.
©2009 Sandra Leichner
Everyday I look for your snippets . The pictures you attach are a great addition to your inspiring words…so colorful and interesting. I find myself even examining what is in the background of each picture!
Hand applique IS tactile and nothing compares. I begin and finish each day with hand applique. It is my drug of chioce! It enables me to transform what is in my heart and soul into a beautiful , meaningful creation . As I hold the fabric and stitch , it becomes part of my being.
Thank you for what you do .
Thanks Joan, I appreciate your kind comments so much.
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I’m with you on this one !!!
I fell in love with Needle turn applique,at first touch . I used to hate machine applique with a passion, then I discoverd a use for it ( things I didn’t care about ) like pot holders . There is something about the quailty of the hand worked turning that nothing else can touch . Watching it turn into a picture is icing on the cake . The creativeness of making it with your hands vs a machine is something that a painter or artist feels when they pick up an instrument .The machine seems to never be a part of me , and the edges just drive me crazy when they are raw . I have been know to hand applique things that are suppose to be done my machine !!! I have said this for years about needle turn being one of the most fabulous things to experience and be able to say ” I DID THAT ”
so I guess your not alone ! I don’t think your a dinosaur just know a thing or two about fine art and creativity in the finest !!
Hand applique will never die. I struggle with it hence I have an eternity quilt, one that will take forever to do. I should pull mine out and work on it. It’s only been about a year..LOL!
Where I live I am a dinosaur if I stitch fused applique by hand, or quilt by hand. I don’t think I dare do any real applique while I live here. Well, not in public anyway!
Judy B
Good points by all, but I will stick with the hand applique because it makes me happy. I don’t mind being a dinosaur.
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Thanks Boop! It is something that is almost indescribable isn’t it? I just haven’t seen machine work that can duplicate the intricacy or scale of handwork. Although I will say that Pat Holly does the finest job I have ever seen with buttonhole machine applique on a tiny scale. Sue Nickels & Pat Holly are the machine appliquers I tip my hat to without any reservation.
I have to agree ! I do like buttonhole for some things , but I think it is because the primitiveness (if that is what you call it ) adds to the design . I do like Sue and Holly do too . I just enjoy the needle turn a lot more than making iron on’s I guess. I think raw edge has it’s place too, like for trees and ceratin landscape features , or maybe abstract design ,but I still come back to needle turn to experience the feel and look of luxury .
Exactly, we are of a like mind. Uh oh!
Sometimes I too struggle. Especially if I know a certain part is going to take f-o-r-e-v-e-r. I just plod away a few minutes at a time and then I am surprised that it went faster than I thought. However, even given the positive result I still procrastinate when I come to work that I think will go slowly.
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