Pat Sloan's "Lucky Charms" Sew Along - Part 4 tutorial

Let's get stitching!

I'm using my Aurifil 50 weight thread from my kit. The thin thread blends in so the thread is not a 'feature' on the project. (CLICK HERE TO SEE THE COLORS)

For the Holly and berries I'm using these 3 thread colors.

For my flower quilt these 2 threads!

If you have my "Learn to Applique" with Pat Sloan book.. get it out! This is your bible. CLICK HERE if you don't have the book yet



Let's do a test piece so you can get your stitches right.  Draw a rectangle on the fusible, donut out the inside, fuse and put on a lighter color background fabric that you can write notes on.

Pick a contrasting thread color you can see. Put on your open toe Applique foot. If you do not have an open toe one, the other will work, but you will want to buy an open toe foot.. mmm.. like TODAY.. it's that necessary.

Try your default setting first for the Blanket Stitch. Sometimes it works fine. This is mine

It's too narrow for everyday use. But I do use it for very small pieces. Write the zigzag and straight stitch numbers next to the stitch.

Now increase your stitch length and try that... increase it again..writing the numbers as you go.

 
 
How should the stitch look? This is my 'go to' stitch size.  Straight stitch is just a bit less than 1/4"

AND zig zag is also set to be JUST A BIT less than 1/4"

• You want the straight stitch to be ON the background and NEXT TO the applique fabric.
• You want to be sure you do not have a gap between the applique and straight stitch.
• You also don't want the straight stitch ON the applique shape

How to do corners, which is the same way you do points, or inside 'v's. It's just how much you turn for each angle. On your test piece, draw the angle. you are going to loosely follow at the corner.  This gives you a guide for the direction to turn your fabric.

Do NOT draw on your real project.

Stitch to the corner

then turn so that the line you drew is positioned like the photo. Stitch this one. 

THEN TURN again before you do the next stitch.

TIP - if you have a needle up/ needle down button, try using it to do these corners so you don't over shoot and stitch past the end.

If you do not have a blanket stitch on your machine you can use a zig-zag stitch. For a zig-zag keep the WHOLE stitch ON the applique. I do not do a tight stitch, but a more open one.. and not too big. I use the last on on this sample.

Or you can straight stitch on the edge.

TIP - If you feel the stitching is creating a 'tunnel' or 'pulling' ... then starch your top so it will stabilize the background fabric. I spray iron 3 times to stiffen the background. Do another test.

I use the same thread in the bobbin as I do on the top. 

Since all my shapes are fused, I can stitch ALL one color then switch to the next color.

CLICK HERE to part 7 of the Meadow Breeze Tutorial for a video on blanket stitching

CLICK HERE and read PART 6 of the Meadow Breeze Tutorial for how to 'travel' when stitching to save time... we ALL love to save time!

This is how to handle the green stems under the berries. Another option would be to stitch the stem THEN fuse the berries. BUT... you will SEE the stitches under the berries.

Another fun option is to stitch through ALL the layers.. which means you are quilting as you go.

Use your walking foot, some have an open toe.. which gives you the extra visibility!

This is what it will look like on the back. I used a slightly lighter shade of blue so the bobbin thread blended more.

So GET STITCHING and remember to share your photos at the Flickr Group! CLICK HERE

NEXT LESSON is What to do with those LITTLE strips you saved.. and one more lesson after that on quilting!

******************************************************************

CLICK HERE to Download a Short PHOTO tutorial for step 4

This is a lot of photos, just come back to my site anytime to see them!

CLICK HERE to share your photos at the Old Red Barn Flickr group, my co-host for this sew along!

******************************************************************

Be sure you are signed up for my email newsletter so you get the info when I send it out

http://www.patsloan.biz right side bar

... listen to my Radio Show! http://www.creativetalknetwork.com/

...Read my Daily Blog http://patsloan.typepad.com

...I have a nice Quilt Forum where you can meet lots of friends

http://www.Quiltmashup.com

...I twitter http://twitter.com/QuilterPatSloan

And Join me at Facebook for some fun!

http://www.facebook.com/PatSloanQuiltFun

 

Comments

[MaryEllen]

Posted my picture on the old red barn group Its my mmac4819 Couldn't do bonus project as I cut my charm sqaures wrong!!!Waiting on new sewing machine to finish up this project.