by Sandra | November 16th, 2009
First off this is a sample that has done some serious traveling so excuse the fraying. Also, I love you guys, but I don’t even iron for my family, especially in the morning. In other words, ignore the wrinkles.
Michele asked for a view of the back and quite frankly, I feel like a dork for not thinking of it myself. That is why I love it when you comment with questions because there are times when these things don’t occur to me and it helps me to clarify anything I have left out that would help you to better understand the technique.
The picture above shows the back of the example from the Easter Egg View handout from the previous post: http://sandraleichner.com/wordpress/2009/11/13/the-easter-egg-view/ (same professional restrictions apply)
Reducing Bulk is Key
Can you see in the picture above how the back is a single background layer with the exception of the seams? See how much nicer it will be to applique? This also makes a more polished finished applique quilt because there are no extraneous thicknesses, bumps and lumps from so many layers. Another thought to keep in mind is how it will affect your quilting, either by machine or especially hand, quilting will be so much easier too if you reduce the bulk the needle has to travel through. The point to remember is that successful layered applique reduces bulk as much as possible.
Now is the only way to do this? Heavens no! It is another option you can file away in your applique arsenal for the right project. I always have wrinkled my nose up when I hear an instructor say, “my way is the only way“. If I had listened to that I would still be doing big mama basic applique after ten years. I would not have the variety of techniques to choose from that fit the project’s individual needs. I employ many different approaches. The projects are never the same or require exactly the same bag of techniques. Each project is different and unique and I need to be adaptable to be successful.
On Jason’s Pumpkin quilt, I just trimmed around the outside circle seam when the black background was reversed to the “view”. Because I did not think ahead, I just have to deal with another layer in places within the inner circle “view” when I applique the detail elements. All is not lost though, because they are so large with only a few seams the impact is minimal. What I ended up doing is not wrong, but for me, it is not ideal. I am always reaching for “ideal”.
I hope that a view from the back has been enlightening and helpful.
all contents ©2009 Sandra Leichner
Ahhhhhh, she says! I knew that would help, thanks! (I actually had to think about your comment to reverse-applique, too – but it’s really just appliqueing the brown to the blue…) But back to your original boo-boo… The way you ended up versus the way you originally drew it, really only differs in the fact that you would have had a hard seam running thru the middle of all your pumpkin pieces, yes? am I getting it?!
Looking at your drawing, tho, makes me dizzy… how on earth do you know which piece is on the bottom, where the overlaps are, etc? (I know, I know… I’ve got the Asilomar workshop on my calendar already, but I don’t want to wait that long!!!) Is all that in your book?
And you’ve already attached the egg to the black background?! I’d have thought that a lot more of the applique would be done first before doing that…
Ah Michele, you are thinking— good!, yes you certainly could do the applique on the egg before attaching the black background like I have done. Either way works and depends on how much fabric you can handle while appliqueing.
You are getting it Michele! Yes, I could have had the seam running across behind the pumpkin. You are now starting to see what the trade-offs are in in techniques and how you approach your project’s construction and design. Can you see how there can be different approaches for the same task? This is the kind of thinking you need to have to create more advanced applique with comfort and develop confidence.
You get an “A” in this class Michele.
No not in the book, I already over ran on the material on details. There is always Volume II? LOL
I will keep you updated as I work so you can see how it fits together. It is all about breaking down the pattern into workable sections. Plus I know how to draft an applique pattern so it doesn’t give me fits.
I am guilty of saying to students ‘Do it MY way’ …… until you know how to do it well, then get out there and try something else. All of us should learn as many techniques as possible, then work out our own way of doing things.
Thanks again for showing us how you do it, and even after twenty plus years of loving hand applique, I am still learning, and working out how to make my techniques better.
Judy,
Isn’t applique a lot like putting together puzzles? Finding different solutions is part of the fun. Part of the joy is in what we discover next.
I would prefer to applique first on the egg and then attach the outer view. I am more comfortable having less fabric to hold while appliqueing. But I think there would be less stretch on the egg’s bias if the outer view were attached first.
Exactly Sara, there are trade-offs with any given method and it is what works best for YOU!
I am so thrilled to see everyone really analyzing and thinking over technique and how it fits their needs and comfort zone. This is what will make you better at applique and advance your skills faster than anything I know. Good job!
I like that you used the word ‘ideal’, rather than perfection. Since I struggle with be labeled as a perfectionist, which mainly comes from friends. I do not view myself like that – I do not redo something until it is right, but I learn from what I am doing. And life is a journey of learning! I hope you do not mind that I carry ‘ideal’ with me as I forge ahead.
Patti,
Be my guest and welcome to “ideal” rather than “perfection”. Perfection is impossible, but “ideal” is do-able.
