How to Avoid Hand Binding Your Quilts

Hi everyone:

This week is spring break for us in Calgary, so I'm enjoying a welcome week off - which means I'm working extra hard at home on quilty things. There are lots of big changes coming up for Chatterbox Quilts, which I'll let you know about soon.

This week on Telecast Thursday, I have another sneak peek at part of my on-line course, Essential Guide to Fusible Web Appliqué. This time I'm showing you how to avoid hand binding your smaller quilt projects and use a pillowcase method to get it all stitched together. I try to avoid binding at all costs as it's not my favourite part of quilting, so if you're like me, I'm sure you'll find this video helpful.*

Especially for my blog readers, Curious is giving you a 20% discount on an annual subscription, allowing you access to thousands of lessons and courses on a wide variety of subjects. Just click here to enrol in Essential Guide to Fusible Web Appliqué and take advantage of this generous discount available until March 31, 2015.

You can view the video below or find it on my Youtube channel.

  
Subscribe to my Youtube channel to receive automatic notifications when new videos are posted each week.

* Okay, I actually do hand bind lots of my quilts and do a very nice job too (at least I think I do!), but if I can get away with it, the pillowcase case method is what I choose to do.

Happy non-binding quilting!

Tune in to Canadian Quilt Talk

Hi everyone:

Have you heard of Canadian Quilt Talk? Okay, it's not just a bunch of Canadian quilters getting together to stitch and chat! Canadian Quilt Talk is a podcast hosted by Brandy Maslowski. Brandy talks with expert quilting guests about quilts, fibre arts, and other quilt-related items. There's a new show every Thursday and I'm thrilled to let you know that this week's guest is... me!

I was very flattered to be a guest on Canadian Quilt Talk and it was so great to chat with Brandy about quilting and my latest venture: on-line teaching.  I had the opportunity to talk about my on-line course, Essential Guide to Fusible Web Appliqué on Curious.com as well as other works in progress.

If you haven't had a chance to check out my course yet, here's a short video to show you some of the comprehensive content in Essential Guide to Fusible Web Appliqué. To view all the lessons in the course, just click here.

I hope you'll tune in to Canadian Quilt Talk on Thursday, March 12, 2015 to listen to the entire podcast on Brandy's website or on iTunes.

Remember to subscribe to Canadian Quilt Talk so you won't miss out on any of the informative episodes. 

Sneak Peek at Essential Guide to Fusible Web Appliqué

Hi everyone:
                                       !!!!                                  !!!!

!!!!!!!!

As you can probably tell, I'm excited to be a teacher on Curious. I love teaching and sharing my knowledge with students, and this is the perfect venue for me. 

I've been quilting for many years and my favourite technique is fusible web appliqué. It's fast and easy and that appeals to me. It was only natural that my first course with Curious would be about fusible web appliqué! In creating Essential Guide to Fusible Web Appliqué I wanted to cover all the basics and provide my students with helpful tips to make their projects successful. The courses that I've taken often miss the finer points of this technique and I want to ensure that even a beginner would be able to enjoy this type of appliqué and have fun creating their first project. 

For a sneak peek at the content in Essential Guide to Fusible Web Appliqué, view the video below or you can see the video on my Youtube channel (don't forget to subscribe while you're there).

Curious offers a 7 day FREE trial when you'll have an opportunity to check out all the lessons and courses that they offer. They have lots of courses on a wide variety of subjects, not just quilting (which is, of course, my favourite subject!). After that, if you want to become a subscriber (and why wouldn't you?), you can elect to buy an annual membership at an early-bird Charter membership price of $60.00 per year. That's only $5.00 per month. That still leaves lots of money to spend on quilting fabric! This is a great opportunity to access learning on a wide variety of topics. Of course you could opt for the monthly membership rate of $14.99, if you prefer.

Hurry! The special annual rate of $60 expires on February 28, 2015. 

I hope you'll take advantage of this opportunity and subscribe to Essential Guide to Fusible Web Appliqué on Curious. 

Exciting Quilting News in 2015

Hi everyone:

Now that I've cleared my head, I'm ready to tell you about my good news in 2015. 

You may know that I've been working on a top secret project for the past few months. It's been really hard to keep this quiet as I've been really wrapped up in completing it and am very proud of the result. I'm so excited to announce my first on-line class with Curious! If you're not familiar with Curious, they are an on-line website offering lessons and courses on a wide variety of subjects. Check them out and see why I'm so excited to be working with them.

Essential Guide to Fusible Web Appliqué offers instruction for every level of quilter. If you have never tried this technique, you'll love the step-by-step instruction and appreciate that everything you'll ever need to know about this technique is included in the course. For more advanced quilters, learn tips and techniques about fusible web appliqué and create the fun Awesome Blossom wall hanging. This course includes over 20 lessons, with attachments and links to the resources used in the course, as well as the Awesome Blossom pattern.

While I'm thrilled to finally have this course up and available for enrolment, I have more exciting news! Curious has just announced a change: as of today all courses and lessons are available by subscription through Curious+. This means that you pay one low monthly or annual fee and you have access to over 13,000 lessons on Curious. Wow, that's a lot of learning! 

I've saved the best part for last: Curious offers a 7 day FREE trial when you'll have an opportunity to check out all the lessons and courses that they offer. After that, if you want to become a subscriber (and why wouldn't you?), you can elect to buy an annual membership at a crazy-good early-bird Charter membership price of $60.00* per year. That's only $5.00 per month - and that's a lot less than it costs to join Netflix! This is a great opportunity to access learning on a wide variety of topics. Of course you could opt for the monthly membership rate of $14.99, if you prefer.

So let me recap: Curious offers a 7 day FREE trial on all of their content and you can purchase an annual membership for $60.00*. Seems pretty simple to me. 

Check out my course, Essential Guide to Fusible Web Appliqué and the other lessons and courses on Curious during your FREE trial period and then subscribe at the special charter membership rate of $60.00* per year. 

*Hurry - The annual membership rate of $60 per year is a limited time offer and expires on February 28, 2015.

See you on Curious.

Fusible Web Appliqué Youtube Video Series - Episode 4

Hi everyone:

You've been waiting for it and now it's here: Adding Interest to Your Design, the final episode in the fusible web appliqué series on my Youtube channel. 

Episodes 1, 2 and 3 dealt with issues such as appropriate tools and how to fuse your design. In this final episode we get to the fun part: various ways to add interest to your fusible web appliqué project. 

See more of  Bubbly Stripes in Adding Interest to Your Design

In Episode 4: Adding Interest to Your Design, you'll learn different ways to use your fabric and find out how scraps can be incorporated into a fusible web appliqué pattern. You can find this episode on my Youtube channel or view it below. 

I hope you've enjoyed this series. If you haven't yet viewed the previous three episodes, watch them on my Youtube channel. 

Let me know your tips for fusible web appliqué and any comments you have on these videos. 

P.S. Purchase the pattern for Bubbly Stripes on my website.

Episode 3 of Fusible Web Appliqué Youtube Video Series

Hi everyone:

I hope you've had a chance to watch the first two episodes in this series: Episode 1 - Fusible Web Appliqué - What it is - and isn't and Episode 2 - Tracing Tips and Techniques. Now it's time for Episode 3 - Pressing Issues. Again, I'll be dealing with a specific part of fusible web appliqué and this time the heat is on! 

Hoot-mon!, a Chatterbox Quilts pattern

In Episode 3 you'll learn about techniques for fusing with fusible web appliqué and how to reduce stiffness in your appliqué pieces. This knowledge will be especially important if you're creating a bed quilt where you want it to drape nicely. Nobody likes a stiff quilt!

You can watch Episode 3: Pressing Issues on my Youtube channel or by viewing it below.

 There is still one more episode in this fusible web appliqué series. It will be released in a few weeks, so stay tuned for the release announcement.

Do you have any additional tips or techniques that you use when fusing your appliqué pieces?

Episode 2 of Fusible Web Appliqué Youtube Series

Hi everyone:

I hope you enjoyed the first episode in my Fusible Web Appliqué series on my Youtube channel. If you haven't had a chance to view it yet, you can watch it - and the second episode in the series with a cup of tea and some chocolate.

In the second episode, Tracing Tips and Techniques, you'll learn how to select the appropriate tools for tracing your design onto fusible web. You'll also learn how to maximize your fusible web and use every little bit of it. 

Bubbly Stripes, a Chatterbox Quilts pattern

You can view Episode 2: Tracing Tips and Techniques, on my youtube channel or view it below.

There are still more episodes in this series. I'll be releasing the third episode soon, so keep watching for the release announcement.

New Youtube Series on Fusible Web Appliqué

Hi everyone:

Do you like to appliqué? I love to appliqué and my favourite method is fusible web appliqué. I think this is because it is so fast and easy and those are my favourite words when it comes to quilting. I am easily bored and often distracted so I tend to work on smaller projects using quick techniques. Fusible web appliqué is the perfect technique for me and my patterns use this method of appliqué.

Bundle Up, a Chatterbox Quilts pattern

Not familiar with fusible web appliqué? You'll want to view my latest Youtube video series. It's about fusible web appliqué: what it is - and isn't, tips and tricks and how to add more interest to your project.  

Hearts Abloom, a Chatterbox Quilts pattern

You'll find the first episode in this series on my Youtube channel or you can view it below. It will explain fusible web appliqué and advise on the tools you'll need for this type of appliqué.

Watch for Episode 2 in the series: Tracing Tips and Techniques.

Add Some Heat with Sweet Dreams

Hi everyone:

My last post was about the Heritage Park Festival of Quilts. I was helping out at the Quilter's Connection magazine booth and did a demo of my latest pattern, Sweet Dreams. I'm pleased to let you know that this design is available as a FREE pattern on my website for the next 2 months. 

Sweet Dreams by Chatterbox Quilts

 It's my first pattern using my HEAT process: Hand Embroidery Appliqué Technique. This fusion of two techniques (hand embroidery and fusible web appliqué) has been a natural evolution of the work that I've been doing over the past year or so. 

 My first love is appliqué, specifically fusible web appliqué, since it's fast and easy - my two favourite words when I'm referring to quilting, but I've been drawn more and more to hand embroidery recently. I also find this fast and easy, although I don't think it would be as quick if I were doing an entire embroidery project. So, how am I using hand embroidery in an appliqué project, you ask? Well, let me tell you...

Detail of Sweet Dreams

I use hand embroidery as an enhancement to my appliqué project. Some appliqué details are too small to be made from fabric, so I add hand embroidery stitches for these finer details. 

Detail of Sweet Dreams

I typically use perle cotton in various weights, but embroidery floss works as well. I guess I'm just a perle cotton snob! I also find that I can add so much more texture and interest to a project with just a few simple embroidery stitches and they really don't take much time to complete.

Moon and star details of Sweet Dreams

I hope you'll download Sweet Dreams and try my HEAT process. If you've never tried hand embroidery before, this is a great project to introduce you to this technique. Don't forget to download it before the end of July 2013, since it will no longer be available as a free pattern after that date. 

Happy Early Valentine's Day

Hi everyone:

Just a quick post today to let you know about some new Valentine's Day-related patterns that I've just published to my website. There are two stitchery patterns available: one of which combines embroidery and stitchery - and is FREE! Yes, Happy Early Valentine's Day to all my blog readers. The pattern combining both fusible web appliqué and embroidery is called Candy Hearts.

Candy Hearts - appliqué and embroidery
pattern from Chatterbox Quilts

The other design, which is hand embroidery only, is called Sweet Sayings. I was inspired by the old-fashioned candy hearts that had various "sweet" sayings on them.

Sweet Sayings - embroidery pattern from Chatterbox Quilts

Both designs are very quick to stitch up with simple hand embroidery stitches, complete step-by-step instructions and full-size templates in both regular and reversed formats. You can find these patterns on my Chatterbox Quilts website. They both stitch up quickly, so there's still time to whip up a gift for one of your special friends - and maybe even make one for yourself.

While I attached hanging ribbons to both of these projects so I could use them as ornaments/decorations, they would be equally sweet as pincushions or shelf sitters. 

I hope you enjoy these patterns and would love to see your version of them.

Appliqué finishes - or not!

Hi everyone:

I've had a busy few weeks with some extra events at my local library branch. I was invited to participate in two evenings of quilty and crafty fun to display my quilts and was fortunate enough to meet and chat with local quilters, knitters and rug hookers. While the weather on the first evening kept many people away, the second evening was well attended. Several quilters had questions concerning my quilts and patterns and one new quilter was wondering how to finish the edges of fusible web appliqué pieces. Well, there are several ways to do this, and I thought that my blog readers might also be interested in the techniques I use to finish my appliqué pieces. 

Vintage Hearts tutorial available on Youtube

Before deciding the type of stitch I'll use to finish my appliqué pieces, I determine the use of the project. Keep in mind that I use fusible web appliqué in my projects, so I'm discussing appropriate stitches to finish the edges of this type of appliqué only. 

Basically my projects fall into two categories: quilts, wall hangings or table runners that will be washed - or ones that won't. Starting with this premise makes choosing the appropriate edge finish quite easy - and who doesn't like easy?

If the piece is an art quilt or wall hanging that won't be washed, I have much more freedom in my finishing choices. I can use a narrow, short zigzag stitch in a coordinated or even contrasting colour (if I'm feeling really wild!). 

Short, narrow zigzag used to finish edges of flower in Blossoming
Coordinating thread used to match fabrics

Another choice might be a machine or hand blanket stitch - in traditional black or in a  thread to match the fabric colour.

Hand blanket stitch on edges of appliqué
Contrasting thread used

I could choose to do a hand running stitch just inside the edges of the appliqué pieces or even a machine straight stitch, again just inside the appliqué edge. Keep in mind that if these finishes are used, they will keep the appliqué on the piece, however, the appliqué edges may fray if the piece is handled. 

Alternatively, I might choose to not finish the edges at all. 

I know, really rebellious, but I have been known to do this if I am in a hurry. I have wall hangings that are several years old and the appliqué pieces were not stitched down, only fused, and they haven't fallen off yet (I am keeping my fingers crossed). As you can see, there are many choices if your finished piece is not going to be washed and will have minimal handling.

If, on the other hand, this is a table runner or quilt that will be washed repeatedly, then you want to ensure that your appliqué pieces are firmly stitched down - and this means one type of stitch only, at least in my mind. Yes, the lovely, elegant, satin stitch. 

The satin stitch is really just a narrow and very short zigzag stitch, but satin stitch sounds much more dignified than zigzag stitch. With the satin stitch, the raw edges of the fusible web appliqué are completely covered and the appliqué won't be fraying or falling off the quilt at all. I also feel that the satin stitch is appropriate when an polished, formal look is desired. 

Satin stitch used in Snowflakes a' Fallin'
Contrasting thread used

These are the finishing choices that I typically use for my appliqué pieces. I'm sure that there are many other ones that would also be appropriate and would love to hear about your favourite finishing technique. 

Now off to finish the edges on a new fusible web appliqué project - or not!

Why I'm Not Designing Quilt Patterns

Hi everyone:

Okay, before you get concerned, let me explain: today, I'm not designing any quilt patterns because I'm working on another type of project. Does it involve fabric? Yes, it does. Is it an appliqué type thing? Yes, it is. So, what is it? It's an appliqué template.

Now that the mystery is over, I'm sure you're wondering what an appliqué template is. It's a fusible web appliqué design that is fused together and can then be added to various projects. In my pattern store on Craftsy I have several different designs to choose from.

Manga Owlet appliqué template designed by Jamie Hirst

Frog Face appliqué template

Each design has several individual pieces in it: you fuse the design together and then apply it to different items. Fuse it to a square of background fabric, add a bit of hand embroidery, pop it into an embroidery hoop and you have wall art. Fuse it to a fabric shopping bag and you're set to hit the grocery aisles. Have a little one in the house? These are perfect to add to onesies or t-shirts - just make sure you finish the edges with a satin stitch to ensure that the appliqué will stay attached through multiple washings.

Recently I've been working on a new design that I'll be adding to the pattern store soon. Here's a sneak peek.

Still tweaking the instructions a bit

Templates traced, fused and ready to be cut out and assembled

My appliqué templates are designed for fusible web appliqué and include an appliqué placement guide, as well as individual appliqué templates, already reversed for you.

I've given you some ideas as to how you could use these templates. What other ideas do you have for using these appliqué templates?

Happy Thanksgiving - and pumpkins too

Hi everyone:

Happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadian readers! I hope you're enjoying a wonderful day with family and friends. 

This week-end has been a work one for our family as we recently had new windows installed in our house and my husband spent two days priming and painting the trim (aluminum clad wood windows). They look great and make such a difference compared to the original house windows that were replaced. 

Dining room window all taped up and ready to be painted
I like the funky tape colours!

So, instead of quilting this week-end, I spent my time washing floors and furniture, dusting and doing laundry - okay, I was supervising the kids doing most of the heavy work, but still... You wouldn't think that the installation of a few windows would cause there to be drywall dust throughout the house, but it did, so heavy cleaning was involved after the installers left. I guess my spring cleaning was done in the fall instead!

Dining room window all painted and curtains re-installed

Now that the house in back in shape, I'm continuing to work on my Perky Pumpkin table runner. I decided to add some hand embroidery to up just to spice it up. Actually, I didn't want to have to machine finish the appliqué edges, so I decided to do some hand embroidery to keep them down. 

I like that the embroidery has a two-fold function - to fasten the appliqués to the background and to act as an embellishment. 

Pumpkin #1 completed with a long running stitch

Pumpkin #2 completed with a cross stitch

I still have to finish up the last pumpkin and then it will be ready to quilt. 

One more pumpkin to go - and then the leaves

How did you spend your Thanksgiving week-end? I hope you didn't each too much turkey or pumpkin pie :)

My Favourite Fusible Webs

Hi everyone:

Pumpkin appliqués done with Shades Soft Fuse

In my last post I showed you the Perky Pumpkins tablerunner project that I was working on. While I was fusing down the appliqués, I started thinking about the various types of paper-backed fusible web that were available to use in these types of projects. There are many different brands of fusible web and they all have their uses, depending on what you are trying to accomplish. Let's take a look at a few of my favourites. 

My default fusible web product is 805 Wonder-Under by Pellon. 

Traced appliqué shapes on Wonder-Under

It's inexpensive, easy to use and does the job for me. I use it for simple shapes and often window it (cutting out the centre portion) on larger shapes or if I am going to be doing some layering. It can be a bit stiff, especially if you are layering, so I wouldn't recommend it for quilts or wearable projects. I use it on non-wearable items, such as tablerunners or wall hangings, so the stiffness that sometimes results isn't really a concern for me. This is how Pellon describes this product:

"The original paper backed fusible web.  Regular weight. Machine stitchable, fuses easily in seconds. Fabric maintains a soft hand after fusing. Great for apparel, home decor and craft projects. Fuse detail areas including hems in denim, facings, applique, cut-work and monogramming. Bonds fabric to fabric or any porous surface.Example: wood, cardboard and much more!"

If I ever need to bond my fabric to a wood background, I'll know what product to use!

I used Wonder-Under for Hoot-mon! and
the appliqués were quite stiff

If I want a product that is lighter and less stiff, I go to my second favourite product, Shades Soft Fuse.

This product is just as the name says - it remains soft and you fuse it down. Unlike most fusible web products, Shades Soft Fuse is 37" wide. This product was developed by Stacy Michell of Shades Textiles.Co., who describes Shades Soft Fuse as "paperbacked fusible web for machine appliqué or hand appliqué quilts". 

Image courtesy of www.shadessoftfuse.com

I usually purchase it at my local quilt shop where they already cut it into 1 metre lengths. I really like the light hand that the fabrics retain after fusing and this is a perfect choice for layering appliqué shapes. It fuses quickly - almost instantaneously - so you don't have to hold the iron on it for very long. The only downside of this product is the price - over $14.00 the last time I purchased a metre of it. Since Wonder-Under is about $5.00 a metre, it's still a better price, even if it is only 17" in width. 

I used Shades Soft Fuse for the pumpkins, stems and leaves

The other product that I sometimes use is Steam-a-Seam 2. There is often confusion about this product because there are actually four similar products available from The Warm Company (Steam-a-Seam, Lite Steam-a-Seam, Steam-a-Seam 2, Lite Steam-a-Seam 2). You need to understand the differences in these products before you decide which you'd like to use. As The Warm Company explains on their website:

"The original, Steam-A-Seam Sticky Back, has the pressure sensitive adhesive (the "stick") on one side which allows for a temporary hold to the appliqué material. It shifts easily on the second material allowing you to quickly reposition your appliqué pieces until pressed with an iron for a permanent bond. Once fused the bond is the same as Steam-A-Seam 2.

Steam-A-Seam 2 Double Stick has the pressure sensitive on both sides which allows for a temporary hold to both the appliqué material and the background material. You can hold your project vertically and the appliqué pieces stay in place and are still repositionable until fused with an iron. Before fusing, tack your project to a wall or try on a garment to check appliqué placement. You're able to reposition pieces while you're wearing them. Once fused the bond is the same as the original Steam-A-Seam."

Image courtesy of www.warmcompany.com

I like to use Steam-a-Seam 2 as you can reposition the appliqué shapes and temporarily "fuse" them down by pressing them onto the background with your hand. They stay in place and you can move them around until you are satisfied with the arrangement before you fuse them down with the iron. I find the Steam-a-Seam products add about the same level of stiffness to the appliqué shapes as Wonder-Under. 

So those are my top 3 fusible web products that I use. There are many more available in your local quilt shop and on-line, so if you aren't totally happy with the product that you're currently using, why not try out some of the other choices?

What type of fusible web product do you use and why? Leave me a comment and let me know.