judylg

Has anyone any experience doing any other quilts of hers? They look so nice and the colors of the Beach Walk appeals to me. Thanks.

gypsyquilter

I've done a few, have one in my to be finished pile, they are fun, but not a lot of sewing until the end if you opt to stitch around the fused shapes.

kreinhart742

Have done a few and yes there is a lot of detail with all the applique but they are gorgeous

plainjane

I've done the Giraffic Park. I like the detail and there were some liiiiiittle pieces :) and a tiny but if embroidery. I think a detailed stitching around the pieces is what mine is saying to me, and that's why finishing it is also in my to-do pile. I'm glad I did one of McKenns Ryan's designs, but blocks are easier for me. If I were to do another of her's it would be the Faith, Hope, Love or The Gatherings (Christmas time)-cute little animals.

judylg

The quilt I thought was appliqued, so wouldn't the edges of the fused pieces have to be finished off anyways?

jdiane318

I have done several of hers, mainly the wilderness, mountains, moose, ducks, deer ones. So long as you use fusible stabilizers with your fabric, everything just falls into place and looks as good as hers. I even like taking different items from the various landscapes and making an original wall hanging. I took the Moose Crossing, borrowed some of the trees, the sun, and water, added some mountains and instead of a moose, I made some mules in different standing positions and even one kicking, drinking the water. I made the chickadee wall-hanging for a dear friend who had a painting just like it. She was blown away. Probably the most important technique needed is very accurate drawing and very, very intricate cutting with scissors. I really like her work.

cjmat

I haven't done any yet but I have the patterns for two of them that I ordered a couple of years ago. I've been collecting fabrics for them and am waiting for some to arrive in the mail hopefully this week. I'm ready...hate the waiting.

woody

I just finished one of her coffee panels for my sister in law and loved the detail that McKenna Ryan puts in her designs. I machine stitched around all the bits with normal thread which was a bit annoying as I has quite a few colour changes. I think most do the stitching with clear mono filament, but I wanted mine to be washed and ironed if needed.
I got a kit and I'm glad I did as she uses so many different colours in her design it would have cost me a fortune getting the minimum cut of all those fabrics and some colours you only needed a 2" square. Her colour choices are fantastic so I wouldn't want to substitute.
I found it fun to do and I have 2 more kits to make.

ckcowl

i love making mckenna ryan quilts! i know some people do them and do not stitch down their appliques...and only make them into wall hangings, when i asked about this (practice) i was informed they are soooo detailed and so much work the (maker) wanted to make sure it would NEVER be used as a quilt! my thought...what a waste of my time........guess we just see things differently. i'm one of those who always thought quilted wall hangings were such a waste.......i have seen some 'cool-ones' hanging in dr. offices ect and have ... changed my tune a little but if i am going to go to all the trouble of all that work, i want the quilt to be used, and i guess if your 'use' is to hang it on the wall....what ever.....
i always stitch down the appliques...make sure to use a good stablizer/interfacing when getting ready to sew the appliques; this keeps the block from 'puckering' or distorting.

jdiane318

I agree with ckcowl. I stitch mine down also. I know it can take countless thread changes but if you are going to take the time to make something so detailed and beautiful, it should be done right. I want my items to last and be enjoyed. Using good stabilizer is important because it helps you easily place and anchor your items. Stitching makes them permanently attached. My worst nightmare would be to look at something I made and see the pieces coming undone and hanging.