Applying birds to block (archived post 9/09)

"Archive Post:  There are many techniques and tips in the archives of Olderrose...before the days I was diligent about creating  the tabs... I will transfer some of the older ones to Block Talk!"


Someone  asked how I applique my felt pieces and what I do with the felt edges... That's the neat part...there are NO  edges... The trick is doing a tight chain stitch around the outline. (See robin's nest ) When I embroider I stitch right into that chain stitch and when I cut it out I cut right up to the chain stitch... so there are no raw edges to tuck under... Nothing unravels. This works on other fabrics as well if you back it with fusible TRICOT interfacing.

Then I just put it on my block and stitch around it (catching the chain stitch) with the colors I used for the embroidery. If there is a loose thread or a felt fuzzy, it's easy to catch in a stitch... You can see that this robin is over a seam and some lace. It would have been hard to embroider this robin directly on the block..

I was never very good at applique using other fabrics. I could never get the edges turned under neatly and the whole thing to lie flat. So this technique using the chain stitch is perfect for me for both embroidery and beading. For beading you still outline in the tight chain stitch...The chain stitch outline is the magic element in this technique.

Actually I don't remember seeing this technique done   anywhere. But I may have so I won't claim to have invented it... and   I hope this answers the question and do try it!!!  This is part of "I love my singer" piece!

More happy dancing

I just can't tell you how pleased it makes me to see my "birds on felt" tutorial being used...  I do mention that it is suited just as well to bunnies, kitties, etc. and now even dragons.  Cathy Labath did this marvelous Asian dragon on green felt... It is quite large....12" and is the focal point of her block... Great job Cathy.....

Another round of Artist RR blocks....

Unless I travel to a retreat I never get to fondle CQ by others except for round robins.  It's a special treat when a big envelope arrives and there is often work often from stitchers...  I'm usually in several round robins at a time but because of circumstances this year I'm in only one..  So the big envelopes are few and far between and the one that arrived yesterday was really special..... 

This was sent by Gayle S. and the blocks were assembled by Ritva for the Artist DYOB RR.  The
Finish artist was Ferninand Von Wright  and Ritva chose a collection of his paintings of Finish birds in their natural habitat.

I was really doing a happy dance because Gayle did her birds on felt using the tutorial on my other blog....and they just so plump and happy...     She used wool for the nest.  Take a close look at her tree as it is creased fabric from a jacket.  I immediately ran out to the barn and pulled out some very similar tan fabric out of the discard bin. It  will dye beautifully.   Cathy and I both looked at it and never thought trees... I will have to send Cathy a piece.  And to think I could have thrown it away.

I love all seams but have a special fondness for clever seams that are pictorial.... so please note the seam Gayle has done resembling a row of houses...  In the background of the painting that Gayle was using as inspiration there are some buildings...  This is how she chose to represent them......very clever.

Gayle's piece not only captures the spirit of the painting it is very compatible with the work Helina did before her.  This is a really important part of the teamwork in DYOB round robins.

I'll also  be doing birds on felt but my piece will also have a lot of flowers in the composition which I haven't done for a while..  I've been wanting to do a floral surface ever since Sharon's class.. and this will be something easy to carry along.  I'm finding it impossible to take the suffrage blocks to lots of places...like to have the car serviced tomorrow.