Thursday, June 24, 2010

Around the Block - June 2010

More block swaps for the month of June. These blocks are for Annie from Annie-Flowergarden, who requested Circles with an "arty feel and movement".


This is my first attempt at raw edge applique, and I think I did ok.  Especially considering that my own sewing machine is currently enjoying a little break with the service mechanic, and that I've not used a fusible product before.


The fusible web product that I used was called Steam-a-Seam, which came with both French and Spanish instructions(?).  It wasn't all that difficult to work out how to use it, although a new ironing board cover is now required!

14 comments:

  1. You always rise to a new challenge.
    Lovely blocks!!

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  2. These are really pretty. I love Steam a Seam...for a lighter hand on appliques try their 'lite' version...the glue layer is not as heavy (thick). Since you haven't used it before, I'll pass on a wee tip: err on the side of less time under the iron when fusing light fabrics. If you press too long, the pattern of the glue webbing can 'melt' through your applique and show through the fabric...try a test using white fabric and you'll see what I mean.

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  3. Hi I have used this many time and I have had to learn not to get it on my iron and when I did I finally learned how to get it off. I keep it hot and use a box cutter blad and watch my fingers not to burn them I am able to scrape off the iron. I do not have a teflon iron. Then I ahve learned about a teflon sheet so I can iron on this so the glue doesn't get all over. Well worth my money.
    They look great and have more fun with it . You will do lots and lots with Stream a seam

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  4. Cute! They remind me of little olives :P.

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  5. My hubby has banned me using 'his' ironing board and iron, which is used to iron 'his' shirts...apparently 'we' have ruined too many from me using it with bondaweb!

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  6. These look fantastic Rita - looking forward to seeing them with the others.

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  7. If you get gunk on your iron, there are all kinds of inexpensive products to get that off.

    However, the ironing board cover is another thing. That's why I grab a piece of parchment paper whenever I'm fusing. Either that, or the Teflon sheet will keep your cover gunk free.

    The blocks are just wonderful!

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  8. Really pretty! Sorry to hear about the ironing board... both U-handblog and Moda Bakeshop have lovely tutorials on re-covering your ironing board if you don't want to buy one :)

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  9. I have had a recent iron + glue issue!

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  10. They're really lovely.

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  11. So when you do raw edge applique on cirlces, do you do it free motion or with the feed dogs up? I have not tried raw edge yet.

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  12. They look fabulous - I love quilts with circles. Well done, especially on a machine you are not used to!

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  13. I do tons of raw edge applique and rarely have any gooey issues. If I do, it is usually because I placed the iron down on a tiny piece of runaway interfacing.

    To get the glue off your iron, use "Iron-Off". It comes in a tube and you rub a tiny bit of it on a hot iron with a scrap of fabric.

    For mistake-free raw edge applique, draw your design onto the paper side of the fusible interfacing. (If your design is not symmetrical, draw a mirror-image on the interfacing, otherwise your final fabric shape will be backwards.) Cut the interfacing approximately a half-inch larger than the actual design. Iron this rough cut to the backside of the fabric, THEN cut out your design perfectly. You can create some very intricate designs this way and the results will be lovely. I promise!

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