Working on Satchels Again.

I have been quite vocal on how much I love Kaffe Fassett fabrics. His colors and designs just call to me. So, about a year ago I started working on "Satchels" where every appliqued basket was made with Kaffe's.

Anybody remember this?

Or this?

Or these?

I had the quilt 90% finished and then it got put away while other things pushed to the front.

But, deep down I kept telling "Satchels" that she really was my favorite, and I would pay attention to her very soon.

This last week I have been quite focused on finishing Satchels. I thought I would dive in, devote a day or two and have her done.

Then the wheels in my brain started spinning and I began to visualize that this would be a perfect quilt to add in Texture Magic. I did some revamping, unpicking, restitching and finally "Satchels" is starting to look good.

I promise the big reveal will be very soon. Maybe.

Right now I'm practically jumping out of my skin every time the phone rings. Daughter #2 has a baby due any moment. (In fact she is past her due date). The minute she goes into labor I will jump in the car and be out the door in a flash for the 7 hour drive to Phoenix.

But until then, I'll keep stitching away on Satchels.

More Applique with Texture Magic

I know I wrote about needle turn applique with Texture Magic on my October 30th post.

But today, I wanted to give a few more step-by-step ideas that I have learned as I've worked with this wonderful new product.

I have only worked with large pieces when needle turning items that have Texture Magic applied. Even with the added bulk from TM they have been easy to work with.

First apply Texture Magic to the back of fabric, and stitch with any type of stitch you desire.

I felt the straight lines would look nice for a basket design.

Follow directions for steaming and shrinking the Texture Magic to the fabric as shown on the package.

I like to use the freezer paper method of needle turn applique when working with large shapes.

Cut the desired shape onto your freezer paper. With the shiny side down, iron the freezer paper to the back of the textured fabric.

*You don't want the iron to touch the Texture Magic, or it will go brittle. Use an applique pressing sheet over the top. It allows the heat to go through to bond the freezer paper down, and at the same time protects the TM and the iron.

Once the freezer paper adheres to the fabric, you can cut out the extra 1/4" seam allowance around the pattern. Clip curves.

Pin the appliqued piece to your background fabric and follow the regular directions for needle turn applique.

I allowed a small opening at the bottom to pull out the freezer paper before stitching up the gap.

Any questions or comments? I'd love to see any projects you have done with applique and Texture Magic.

Appliqued Circles with Texture Magic/ Tutorial

Here is a little tutorial to show you how easy it is to applique circles with Texture Magic.

I like to use Perfect Circles because I feel it helps me to have a nice crisp even edge around the outside of each circle.

First, for my project I decided to use the 2-inch circle, which is the largest size in the package.

Next, I went to my Texture Magic Conversion Chart to see what size I needed to cut my fabric and Texture Magic. For 2", the chart says 2 3/4". I knew I needed an extra 1/4th" to allow for a seam allowance around the circle, so I cut out 3" pieces.

This is a great way to use up all those little left over Texture Magic sections from previous projects.

Layer the Texture Magic to the back of a piece of fabric and stitch together. You can use any type of stitching you want. For this first circle, I did an easy stipple.

Apply steam to shrink the fabric. Now you are ready to cut out your circle.

Draw around the plastic circle and then cut out 1/4" from the drawn line.

With a needle and knotted thread, sew a running stitch around the outer seam allowance.

Place the plastic inside, pull the threads, and the seam will gather around the circle.

With a regular piece of fabric the instructions mention using spray sizing and a hot iron to keep the sides in place. I found out that with the Texture Magic I didn't need to use sizing. I could iron the sides and they held their shape perfectly.

*Remember: DO NOT TOUCH THE IRON TO THE TEXTURE MAGIC ( The heat will cause it go brittle). Just iron the outer edges in place, and pull out the plastic.

The circle is now ready to be appliqued to your background piece.

A regular circle looks nice, but adding Texture Magic makes these so much more interesting.

I love the extra dimension.

You can use a variety of stitches when applying Texture Magic to the back of your fabric. For this one I did a small grid.

On this one I followed the pattern of the fabric.

Texture Magic can be purchased at most local quilt stores or through Superior Threads web site.

You Know Who You Are

To the kind person who anonymously sent me a hand made thank you card in the mail: Your words touched my heart and brightened my day.
You chose to not sign your name, but you know who you are. Thank you back.

We never know when a kind word or a smile might be just what the other person needs at the moment.

Taking the time to say thank you is sometimes a forgotten art. How many times have I felt an impression to express gratitude towards a person, or to send them a note, and then let the moment slip by? Too many times.

Everyone has a mountain they are climbing. Your example is a good reminder to me to look for the positive in every day. I am a believer that what we send out there always comes back (good or bad) at least 10 fold.

We must be very careful and very selective in what we say and do. Even our inner self talk must be nourished and protected.

We are constant works in progress and each day brings a new opportunity to move forward.

I am recommitting to pay attention to the promptings to write a thoughtful note, and to add more sincere "thank you's" to my day.

Design Wall Idea

My good friend Ricci has the most wonderful design walls in her studio at home. She and her husband Sam put them up when they built her sewing room several years ago.
They are so well done, that as an employee of Superior Threads, Ricci was asked to build the design walls for the new School of Threadology.
If you are looking for a great idea, make sure to go over to Mother Superior's Blog and read how Ricci and Sam made the Design Walls. After reading the post, I felt like this was a project even I could do!
In fact, I've told Mr. Cactus this would be a great Christmas present.

School of Threadology Design Wall
Because they are 1" thick, you can pin right into them.