grammyjladr

It's gorgeous but too advanced for me yet. Maybe next year. Good luck all and cant wait to see them later.

kaelynangelfoot

I just discovered that my method of using Heat and Bond Lite will result in the mirror image of the pattern. While the final block being a mirror image of the original isn't a problem for me, it means that there could be issues when transferring a pattern to the background block with dressmaker's tracing paper. In fact, after looking more closely at all the blocks, there are blocks with rotational symmetry and blocks with reflective symmetry. Something to keep in mind when planning your blocks.

Macybaby

Since I've done all 36 blocks that way, so far only a few presented problems. For the few that would, I traced the pattern on freezer paper and then turned it over and retraced the lines on the back side. I didn't trace the entire pattern, only parts of it to help general alignment. I was more concerned with getting the blocks liked up with each other - such as having hearts touch at points (to give a circle look) because that is more important. There is a lot of flexibility with these.

One more note - if you are machine appliqueing, you may want to cut some pieces long where they go under another piece so that you only have to stitch on the upper piece. If you butt them all up, then you have to either us a larger stitch and overlap, or to two rows of stitching.

I would put a little tick mark on sides I wanted to extend, as I drew the pattern as a whole on the fusible web, and cut them out like that. I'd fuse them and then cut the fabric extended where I wanted to tuck them under.

Knitette

Still waiting on both my missing parcels . First time this has ever happened. Hancocks (backing fabric) has said to wait until the end of the first week of January and contact them again, but Fabric Shack (border and batiks) has told me to wait until the middle of February...................

Looks like I'll be sitting this out after all - as even if they agree to replace them - there's no guarantee that they'll be in stock.

cindyb

When first tracing on freezer paper - which side did you trace on, shiny or dull. Then you turned it over, did you ever iron this on anything? I'm confused on this process.

Macybaby

What I have isn't really freezer paper, it's meat wrapping paper but does not have a waxed side. We use it for wrapping meat for the freezer . . .

So I am mainly using it just to transpose the drawing. I lay it on top of the pattern in the book and trace, then turn it over and I can see the markings, and trace on the back side. Now I have the reverse template from the book.

I can use that to lay the fusible web on to trace, and then when I iron it on the fabric and cut them out, I'll have the shapes in the same direction as on the book.

I actually traced directly from the book to the fusible web, giving me a mirror image of the block. Which caused problems when I went to trace for the embroidery, as that now needed to be reversed. I used the paper to flip the embroidery lines.

kaelynangelfoot

That's awful! I'm sorry you're having so much trouble. Please keep us updated and I would love to see your blocks whenever you do get the fabric.

kindleaddict63

Fingers crossed for you knitette. How long do you normally have to wait ? perhaps the holiday parcel traffic played a part in the delay?

Quiltaddiction

I received my book today and would like to join in I am new to applique and have only done machine raw edge with blanket stitch. I am thinking of trying a small zigzag with invisible thread? Then again I have always wanted to try hand applique too. Maybe I 'll try them all.

Knitette

It usually only takes 6-8 days, so even allowing for the holiday rush, it's not looking hopeful (shipped on 19th November). I buy from the U.S. all the time as fabric is about $23 a metre (39") here. My LQS will be having a sale on Saturday when it will be reduced to around $12-13.
I ordered Kona premium from Hancocks at $7.29, shipped on 22nd. (It's $15.50 here.)