Several of us were lucky enough to spend some quality time with Marjorie and Nancy and learn a few new tips on several types of applique techniques and the use of broderie perse in her quilts. While you might already know much of this information from previous meetings with her, I will repeat it for those who have not had the opportunity to do so. **NOTE**If you click on each picture it will enlarge so you can see more details.
One of the several ways to applique and a favorite of Marjorie for leaves and branches is back basting. Here is the breakdown:
*Trace a pattern--place on light box
*Prepare a background square
*Iron the square in half vertically and then horizontally
*Place fabric square right side down, secure with removable tape
*Trace design with a #3 pencil
*Baste applique fabric to the front of the square
*From reverse side follow design
*Using #8 quilting needle and quilting thread, follow the pencil lines through to the front of the block
*Turn Block to front and trim seam allowance (a few inches)
*Clip and remove quilting thread
*Needle turn applique
To do individual units in your hand:
*Trace unit onto lightweight, NON-fusible interfacing
*Indicate sequence of units on back
*Place fabric on right side
*Use quilting needle and thread
*Turn over-cut seam allowance and applique
*Trim interfacing-fold under and applique to design
Directions for New Method of Applique--such as flower with blossom center:
*Trace the flower with a thin line sharpie pen with center circole on medium weight Pellon. Write on corner "right side"
*Place applique fabric on the right side with the reverse side covering the flower. Pin in place, Be sure to allow for enough seam allowance.
*Turn to reverse side of the Pellon. Use a quilting needle with a constrasting color thread and sew directly on the line with small running stitches.
*Turn work to the right side. Cut out the flower with a seam allowance. Clip into the area between the petals.
*Using 100% cotton thread (50-60 wt.) that matches the applique and applique to the Pellon (Marjorie uses Richard Hemmings Milliner's needles #10).
*Clip the running stitches every three to four stitches. Remove as necessary.
*You will be able to see the design on the Pellon as you applique. It insures acurate finished designs.
*When the flower is complete, turn to the reverse side and repeat the steps for the small circle center.
*Place the flower using a light box after the leaves and stems are finished. You may use Jenna Kimball's method for no template applique for them.
Other areas to use this method:
*It is a wonderful way to complete multi-layered flowers, birds, butterflies, etc. in your hand and then applique them into place.
**Tips to remember**
*Using lightweight NON-FUSIBLE interfacing is great for you applique cover.
*For making bias stems, cut 1" bias strip, fold and press in half. Sew 1/4" seam allowance along one side. Press over and applique. Should end up with 1/4" wide stem.
*Marjorie prefers Aurifil 100% cotton 50 weight thread (made in Italy) for applique or Mettler's 60 wt. thread. She doesn't use silk thread.
*She also prefers to use Milliner's #10 needles for applique
*For quilting, she likes #8 for running stitches and #10 for quilting stitches
*When making multiple borders for your quilt, sew the border together first and then sew onto the quilt.
*To ensure your border fits the quilt top correctly, Marjorie sews on the machine a gathering stitch around the edge of the quilt top four times. You will not need to gather this thread, but it will allow you to adjust your quilt top to fit your border.
*For quilting, she recommends "Request" Dream cotton--it is thinner for hand quilting and machine applique. It is not the best batting for machine quilting.
*Batting IS directional--one size has stretch, one doesn't. Your batting must run the non-stretchy length of the quilt.
*When cutting multiple background blocks for applique, cut all the blocks at the same time, marking a dot in the upper right hand corner of each block. This will ensure that when you put your top together there will not be any shading when the blocks are laid out.
Marjorie also discussed the use of quilting spoons with hand quilting. Note her spoon is the ergonomic red handle while Janney's is a solid silver.
