Rolling Star

The Rolling Star pattern is in the September 2005 Quilter's Newsletter. I searched and searched and can't find any back issue links to share with you for those interested in having the pattern/magazine :0( I have no problem scanning in the few pages I have and sharing them, but.....I don't want to hinder and violate any copyright laws.

Through my googling, I came across Lee Fowler's website; she is the quilt maker and she has an email link. Maybe that is a place to start????

When I worked on the blocks this morning, I grabbed the camera to give a step-by-step of how I have been appliqueing these onto the foundation fabric (NOT following the pattern's suggested method)

When I traced these pieces out back in 2007, I marked the 1/4 sewing line because (at the time) I wasn't sure if I was going to hand-piece the blocks as suggested by the pattern. OMGoodness! It's already nearing FOUR years; I can't imagine how long this would have taken me if I was to HAND-piece.

Using the washable (purple-fade-away) Elmer's gluestick, I just dab-dab-dab away along the seam.

And then fold over the seam allowance. My hands get a bit goo'd up, but I keep a small damp rag nearby to clean off my hands as needed.

I usually take my glued-folded-seams block to the ironing board and press from the right side. And once I center it onto the foundation fabric, I put a dab of glue onto it as well, to keep the pieces together. NO PINNING FOR ME.

My PRIZED possession since the summer of 2008 (HEY, I should check out when my machine arrived! I must be nearing the 3rd anniversary!).....anyway......since the summer of 2008, I have been piecing solely with my Bernina 440, and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it. When I took a machine for a test-drive before buying, the shop owner walked me through some different tricks-n-tips. Here is one she shared using Foot #20 and the Blanket stitch (#45). Move the needle all the way to the right; the inner-right-edge of the foot then becomes a guide for the applique unit. The programmed stitch-width for the blanket stitch is a bit too small for me, so I increased it to 2.9; FYI.

ALLLLL thirteen blocks have now been appliqued. DUH! Didn't even think of taking a picture of them. I think that's because I jumped right into the next step, which is making the sashing units and the 9-patch corner stones.

I dug through my 1.5" scrap bin to see what I may still have hiding in there of Grandma's ol' vintage 80's fabrics.

When those run out, this is what I have remaining of her fabrics; plenty to finish the sashing and outer border.

Rolling Star pattern & how I applique

The Rolling Star pattern can be found in the September 2005 "Quilter's Newsletter Magazine." It was drafted by Lee Fowler after being inspired by a circa-1930's newspaper clipping showing a drawing of four blocks. Lee drafted this for hand-piecing and gives tips and tricks to assist a quilter. I attempted hand-piecing, but found it too time-consuming and I was afraid that the blocks/pieces wouldn't stay together. So, out came the machine---at a MUCH slower machine-pace due to the curves, but still faster than hand-piecing.

When I applique (the few times that I have done it), I use washable glue-sticks and freezer-paper. Here are my steps (sorry for no pics).
1) Trace the finished sized piece on freezer-paper;
2) Iron it (no steam) to the back of the fabric.
3) Cut out shape, eyeballing up 1/4" seam.
4) Press the seam over the edge of the freezer paper.
5) Remove paper. Repress if needed.
6) Unfold seam allowance and dab glue on egde of seam. Refold.
7) Press one final time. (Press on an old towel in case any glue is beyond the folded seam allowance)
8) Machine applique onto background. Sometimes I pin, depending on the size of the piece. Sometimes I dab another dallop of glue to hold the piece in place. I USUALLY use a blanket-stitch with the Bernina foot #20.

{{I'll need to applique again soon, so I can add pics later on.....Be sure to check "Email follow up comments" when you post because I'll submit a comment once pics are added to this "tutorial"---if interested}}

Another rose; better?

Today, I sat for a few moments, watching Beth's applique tutorial video. Not only did I learn quite a bit from watching it, I also found myself chuckling at some of her humor!

Anyway, tonight, after shipping the girls off to bed, I dashed into town to pick up some washable glue sticks. Then from 8:00 until about 9:30, I cut, glued, sewed (and probably made up some of my own rules on Beth's process) ((**looking around for applique police**)), and completed another rose. It definitely looks different because I didn't use a satin stitch with white thread. Instead, I used a blanket stitch with transparent (nylon) thread.

The left rose is from tonight; the right is from last night. I like the non-stiffness of the left one (my altered Beth-version) versus the fusible-web one on the right. I chose to make the outer petals all light pink to try to eliminate the "see-through" problem (The light pink is VERY light fabric) I had from last night.

When I came upstairs to blog, I asked DH's opinion on my first two roses. And, believe it or not, he gave me some other ideas to try next. One idea: if I stay with the colors tonight (left), he suggested cutting ONE light piece based on the "outer petals" (cutting out the "inside" of it); then cutting a dark pink petal-layer (again cutting out the inside of it), and then layering the top three small petals. This actually sounds like a great idea; it would eliminate quite a bit of cutting & piecing. I could do my altered-Beth-version with that OR use the fusible web. I may have to try both.

This has been a nice learning experience so far for me. I won't make a final decision on whether I like applique until I've tried a few different ways to applique. It's been kinda fun trying/learning something new.

Happy Wednesday

DH's EDIT
he needed me to add that his suggestion was INGENIOUS!! (and time saving so that I can spend more time with him in the evening instead of hibernating downstairs in the quilting room.)
:0)
(cough-cough)