When Chawton Block (the first block or Month 1) came up on my homework / handwork to do list, the first thing I needed to do was sew all the lines on the interfacing. It took a few days but I got those done. My 790 did a great job with sewing on the lines. the knee lift made quick work of it and I was glad that I had set this aside at the last 2025 retreat to work on later.
Then I flipped everything inside out.
I smoothed out lines as much as I could. Here is where I realized that the sewing was very important. I had to sew slow and adjust constantly so that the lines would be as smooth as possible and not have weird points anywhere. I don’t know why this BOM started with the very center block to make your initial mistakes and learn from.
Once that was done, I pressed to set everything nice and thin.
I placed all the pieces where they went. The YouTube tutorial from Riley Blake were very precise at this point making use of a ruler to make sure things were exact all the way around. I’m particular and persnickety with my craft but that’s beyond me. Some may take that as not being very particular or persnickety but whatever … to each their own.
I took the parts that I could applique to each other and did those first
I’m ready to start gluing the pieces down so I can applique everything to the background. I’m hand appliquéing everything and because I did this method my stitches are not as tiny as I’ve done when I needleturn regularly. It’s making the applique quick work so far. I am enjoying the process and I hope it continues. For those who finished this quilt fast, either they are monogamously working on this or are really fast hand appliquérs or they are machine appliquéing. They all look good so how ever it gets done works.
Keep on quilting!
Melanie
Started: October 2025
Kit purchased from Quilty Pleasures in Simi Valley, CA.
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Looks like the pieces in the centre block might be bigger than for the smaller blocks? If so, that might be why.
That’s an interesting method to appliqué. You mentioned you usually do (or just have done a lot of) needle turn. Which do you prefer?
I have done a little needle turn and want to do a lot more of it. Maybe this year will finally be the year I dig into an appliqué project. Good to know I can come to you for tips 😉
I enjoy needleturn the best because it requires very little once it’s set up… so it’s easy to take while on the go. but i’m not very good with the points and small pieces. I’ve tried all kinds of methods. This method I’m doing right now with lori holt is easiest but takes a lot of prep and requires templates. Last year I took a workshop with Irene Blanck and she covered different methods as well. Those projects are still waiting their turn in my queue…