How to Applique Teeny Tiny Stems – Video Tutorial

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Clutch, Zoe and I have had fun the last few days working on some new tutorials to add to the web site. The first one I've uploaded is on appliqueing those teeny tiny stems you encounter from time to time on both large and small quilt blocks. You know the ones that are about 1/8" wide. They can send shivers down the spine of even the most experienced quilter but they're really not as difficult as you'd think.

Heaven Scent1
I had lots of practice several years ago when I designed my Heaven Scent quilt.

Heaven Scent2 Whenever people see this quilt they ask me how I sewed the stems and little basket. I hope you'll enjoy the video tutorial and pick up a few tips that might be useful.

Several of the products shown in the video can be purchased in the Notions section of the Online Store. I added the video to the Instructions section of the web site so you can refer back to it whenever needed. Just look for it in the sidebar index under Instructions and then Applique.

P.S. If you haven't placed your order for one of the tee shirts for quilters from the first group, there are only a few hours left to order. Click

HERE

and scroll to the bottom of the page.

 

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Just Takes 2â„¢ Benjamin Biggs Quilt Block 3

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It's March 1st and there's a lot going on today in the Just Takes 2 world! Brenda has the third block for you, we have a drawing for the Quilts of Indiana book, I have the petal pattern many of you asked about and the results of the background voting. Are you ready?

Ben Biggs Block 3 Isn't this a sweet little block. You're going to get lots of practice doing skinny stems and small cherries. We grow them much bigger in Traverse City! I'm looking forward to working on this block. I love the challenge and plan to work on the block all weekend while it snows once again here in Michigan. We're beginning to think spring will never arrive.

ben biggs background optionsThe great background debate is over. Here's how they stacked up -

  • Green and white dot
  • Balck and white dot
  • Purple dot

Gay's Ben Biggs Fabrics I can hear you all laughing as you look at this picture and wonder where the green and white dot background is? I've actually been laughing too. I have no problem using bright cheerful colors in my quilts. I actually have never had a real problem picking a background fabric either. I think it's just this quilt! I'm not into making Ben's wedding quilt funky. So what do you think? I have a whole basket full of beautiful prints for the blocks and will post a picture of this one when it's done. You'll get a better idea of my plan. I have a month to catch up on the first two blocks and get the 4th block ready for you.

Petal Motif for block corners
For those of you who wanted a copy of the petals I'm using instead of the rosebuds you can get that pattern HERE.

There were so many beautiful blocks posted to the Just Takes 2 Facebook page. It's really heartwarming to see your work and the variety of your fabrics choices is inspiring. I made a list of the 25 names for our drawing and put Clutch and Zoe to work. I could see Clutch's nose twitching as I approached with the bowl and almost hear him saying to himself, "there's nothing to eat in that bowl, I'm not moving off this heating pad" and so it was Zoe who selected our winner.

quilts of indiana


The winner of the Quilts of Indiana book is - Nancy Ratliff

 

Ben Biggs Block 3
Here's a look at the signature on this block. The name looks like Barbara Winters to me. This signature is written right on the block and not sewn in like it was in Block 2

life's a stitch tee

Life's A Stitch


After you've gotten your pattern be sure to check out the tee shirts I've been working on. They're fun to wear, make great gifts and the perfect thing to wear to your next quilt retreat. Just click on the name of the shirt to get to the ordering page.

keep calm and quilt on tee

Keep Calm and Quilt On


Two of the shirts are just for fun and a couple are Sentimental Stitches shirts. They're only available to order for another week so don't miss out. I tried to keep the price affordable and there's a 100% money back guarantee. I wouldn't want anyone unhappy with what they order.

ss logo crew neck tee

Sentimental Stitches Tee


Sentimental Stitches Shirt v-neck

IMG_8196
That's it for right now. I'm going to go find Clutch, have a snack, work on my block and watch it snow!

Just Takes 2â„¢ Benjamin Biggs Quilt Block 3 - Click here to visit Dear Jane

 

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Dream Garden Block of the Month – Block 2

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I know it's not the 15th today but since it's Valentine's Day I decided to post the second block for the Dream Garden quilt a little early. Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

dream garden quilt center I never get tired of looking at the quilt! In studying it though I did start to chuckle as I looked over the embroidered blocks. If I had to embroider that same block over and over and over I'd go crazy!

Dream Garden Embroidered block trio Check this out? It looks like this quilter got bored too! Several of the blocks are the same but there are quite a few where she changed things up a bit. Good for her! A quilter after my own heart! I'll be giving you the embroidery block in a few months and you'll get the border early too so you can work on them as you do your applique blocks.

Block 2

Block 2


The second block is a pretty one with lots of embroidery. I love the way the long/short satin stitching defines the shape of the petals. Lazy daisy stitches, french knots, buttonhole stitching............you'll be busy with needle and thread working on this block!

You can download the blocks each month from the Dream Garden page - HERE

This quilt runs through October 2015 so if you're impatient and don't want to wait for the rest of the blocks, you can purchase the entire pattern in the online store on THIS PAGE.

 

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