Beth Ferrier’s Blog

It’s here, finally. Our second block of the month project for this year is ready to start, well almost. I’m still quilting the sample (my hands can only take so much before they start complaining), but the important stuff is done.

So, here’s a graphic of the design, in all it’s glory.

I’m calling it Flutterby Fancies. It will finish the same size as Be Still My Heart, about 37 x 42 inches.

We have a very limited number of kits available. First come, first serve. Because I know someone will ask, the applique fabric is by Lyndhurst Studio, a division of Northcott Fabrics. The line is the Rainbow Ombres in Nature’s Palette, by Michele Scott. It is gone from the manufacturer’s warehouses. You may be able to find it at your local shop, or online somewhere, but there is no more for your local shop to order. The background fabric is Kaufmann’s Kona Solids, in Snow, just like last month’s kit.

Here’s my version, with the quilting just started. What’s that you say? Are you noticing my spiffy new machine? It’s a Bernina 820, and it’s a honey. Flutterby Fancies is the first quilt I’ve made using it, and it’s been a treat. (You see a globe on the screen because it’s currently on “eco”, a power saving setting that lets me leave the machine on, but at a lower power level.)

I got to see the prototype of this machine over three years ago, while visiting the Bernina factory in Switzerland. It was my good luck to be one of many teachers asked for opinions on what would go into this machine. I’ve had it only a couple of weeks, and so far I’m maddly in love. Don’t tell Kent, he may be jealous.

The goal was to be able to present the new block of the month project today. But then I decided that I’d like to offer fabric kits to go with the design. Shopping for yardage to sell is not nearly as much fun as shopping for fabric for my stash. Since it’s something that I don’t do all that often I don’t have a fabric rep or contacts at the manufacturers. Progress stalled.

 I have found this killer fabric to use for the applique, five shades across the width of the fabric! When it comes to applique it doesn’t get any better than that. Still working on the background fabric, but I am making progress.

These lovely sorbet colors came from two fabrics, medium and light. Isn’t that cool? The colors blend across the width, with magical swirls of shades. I especially like how the fabric reads as a solid, just begging for thread work and embellishment.

All of this applique came from just four fabrics! Oh, be still my heart.

So here’s the deal. This year, instead of one large project, we’ll be having four seasonal block of the month projects. The quilts will finish about 38 x 42 inches, a nice wall or lap size. We’ll post the projects in three steps each, and just as we’ve done for years, the steps will be free for one month.

New this year, we’re going to offer the complete pattern for sale, as a download, when the first step is posted. We’ll get our act together and offer fabric kits. I’d like to also offer thread or embellishment kits. And eventually I will combine the motifs from all four seasonal patterns into one really deluxe larger quilt. At least that’s the plan as it stands today.

I could use a little help with a name for this quilt. Ideas anyone?

There is a very long list of things I’d like to learn how to do. I’d like to learn to spin my own yarn. I’d like to raise chickens (which will never happen as long as we live downriver from a chemical plant, but I can dream). I’d love to learn how to throw pottery on a wheel. And it would be really good if I could learn how to take better pictures.

Everything that happens in my life is pretty much a crime of opportunity. Keeping chocolate morsels in the pantry significantly increases the likelihood of cookies, for example. I’ve gathered the supplies for painting on silk, painting lace, beading, machine embroidery, heirloom sewing and others just in case I have a dire need to paint, bead or embroider. It could happen. Over the last year or so I’ve been gathering the tools for rug hooking, or more precisely, punch needle rug hooking.

Several years ago (um, like maybe eight years ago, but who’s counting?) I started a rug with the traditional hook technique. I got as far as WE in “welcome” before I lost interest. Of course that hasn’t kept me from collecting wool to cut into strips. But still, I didn’t really enjoy using the hook to lift the strips to the front of the work, it hurt my hands. So, the base fabric hangs from the quilt hoop frame (that I bought thinking that I might like hand quilting someday), waiting.

After knitting myself crazy making the stranded projects for Christmas I decided the time was right to pull out those punchneedle supplies. I pushed a few lines around to create the design, snapped up a sharpie marker and set to work.

In no time at all I had the design traced and hooped, feeling very clever that I had the foresight to stash this stuff.

As with all things, there was a learning curve. My first leaves were too densely packed. The yarn was too thin for the punch needle, so I doubled it up. It didn’t occur to me to check the other punch needle I had stashed, trusting my memory that it was larger. (It isn’t.) But I found that I liked using two different shades at once, and the doubled strands filled the spaces faster.

Not bad for a first attempt. This thirteen inch circle took just a couple of hours and put a significant dent in my Christmas knitting leftover yarn. I guess it will become a pillow top, or something.

But what is an appliquist to do? The design just demanded that I applique it. I mean, really, how could I not?

Time to run to the stash and pull some fabrics the fine folks at Northcott sent me, gradation of shade and color across the width of the fabric, it’s an appliquist’s dream.

Here it is, laid out just as for the little rug thingie. It’s lovely, I really love it. I love the delicate shading that the fabric provides. I really like the circle showing through the background fabric, I’ve been thinking about how that should be incorporated into the design. 

But now I have a problem. What do I do with this design? I’m sort of obsessing on the Block of the Month for this year. I was thinking that I’d really like to do a Baltimore Album style quilt. Or a series of little quilts. Or, ideally, a series of little quilts that could be combined to make a Baltimore album quilt. My default setting for quilt design is to start with a queen size. I’m too practical. Everything must be useful, have a purpose. So, what do you think? A series of circles? A series of circles with no other plan than to let you decide what you’re doing with the end product? Arggg! Help me out here!

One of my favorite projects from the new book is the Calico Cat. She’s done over in three different fabric styles, from a modern city cat to a homey country cat. This is the mod, groovy kitty.

To keep the kitties company I also designed a Patchwork Pup. As cute as a whisker (sorry, I couldn’t help myself), these two critters would make darling pillow covers as well as charming wall hangings. Using the Wash Away Applique sheets instead of freezer paper let me embellish these sweeties to my heart’s content. (The paper is FINALLY on its way. We will start shipping orders on MONDAY!)

Hop on over to C&T’s blog to see the Patchwork Pup. You’ll find a link for a free pattern to make a pup of your very own.

Thanks for all the great comments, especially for those of you who were honest enough to admit that applique is not easy to love. There was a time when I would have agreed with you. A lot of applique techniques are just miserably fiddly, exacting and stressful. Not my idea of fun, for sure, and that’s why I developed a new approach to applique. But I’m getting ahead of myself.

Our winners are: Kathy, Mindy and Lorraine. I’ve already emailed you, asking for your mailing addresses. Your copy of the magazine will go out as soon as your address comes in!

Speaking of coming in, look what arrived yesterday!

The first box of books has arrived! I’ve been just giddy, knowing that the book I’ve been working on since August of 08 is done and here. It’s been a big project, huge, and pretty much a joy all the way through. The wonderful folks at C&T have been patient, and kind and helpful. Never once did I have to worry that the editors would strip away my silly style of writing.

So, for those of you who have already placed an order (and boy do I love you for it!), the books will begin to ship next week. We are still waiting for the shipment of Wash Away Applique Sheets, it will arrive toward the end of next week, so give us a little more time to get those orders out.

For those of you who have been thinking about ordering, we’re now ready to take Pay Pal orders. Or, ask for it at your local shop.

I’m so excited about all the new techniques in this book. I’ve always known that there is so much more that we could do with the basic “Hand Applique by Machine” process. This new book not only covers the basics but takes us forward with fresh ideas on thread and fabric and stitches. Oh, my!

Welcome all! Hello to old friends (or should I say, “long time” friends, we’re not at all old, are we?) and howdy hi to the newcomers who have found your way here from Quiltmaker’s blog hop.

Seems like about a hundred years ago (it was really just last spring), I was invited to submit a block for Quiltmaker’s special issue. All they needed was a little 12 inch (finished size) block. What an honor!

So, before they could change their minds, quick like a bunny, I zipped up this darling little block, using one of my most favorite flowers, the tulip. I seem to be into ribbony things these days, too, so I tied them up with a bow.

To create the block, I used techniques from the new book (More! Hand Applique by Machine), including bobbin work to make the fun little curlie cues on the tulips, and used the new Wash Away Applique Sheets instead of freezer paper.

Now the magazine is appearing on the newsstands and my sweet little block is on the cover! How cool is that? It’s right above the “O” in Blocks.

There are lots of nifty blocks in this issue, from all styles of quilting. They’ve even included simply sashed layouts for bed sized quilts, and the yardages needed to complete them. There are also design suggestions for quilting the blocks.

I thought it would be fun to turn my little sweetie into a wall hanging. I’ve just repeated the design from the magazine two more times, but swapped out longer tails for the border bows. Simple half-square triangles make the narrow borders interesting.

I’ve created a little pattern for it. Remember, you’ll need the magazine for the basic applique shapes, they aren’t included in this pattern.

All this week Quiltmaker is hosting a blog hop featuring the designers in the magazine. Click on the button, right, to see who else is blogging. While you’re there, register to win my original block, and the other 99 blocks too.

Before you go popping off to hop blogs, I have three copies of the magazine to give away. Just leave a comment, tell me how much you love applique! You know you do! I’ll draw the names on Thursday.

It’s the day before the day before Quilt Market. Tomorrow is my travel day. Once again I will hand over my quilts and class materials to the baggage crew. It’s my little leap of faith at the beginning of each trip.

My first job will be a Schoolhouse lecture at 4:20 in Room 371 B&C. Schoolhouse is a pretty fun deal, a series of mini lectures, some only fifteen minutes, others a half an hour, presented all day Friday, the day before the show opens.

 Think passing classes in high school, only on speed. And there’s even homework. Once the lectures are done (or the feet give out), attendees head back to their hotel rooms to sort through the tons of paper work they’ve collected. Many use this stuff to map their path through the exhibits.

Before the exhibit floor opens on Saturday, I’ll be teaching a Take & Teach class. I’ve been plugging away at the kits, preparing a lot of the steps so my students can get right to the fun part. With only an hour and a half for class, we won’t have much time to get to details, but we’ll be sure to cover the important parts.

Later Saturday morning, at 11 am I’ll be in EE Schenk’s Booth (1230) to sign books. I’m told we won’t have actual books, but C&T will supply book plates and send the books as soon as they’re in.

On Sunday I’ll be in C&T’s booth (1344) at 11 am and Petersen Arne’s booth (2136)  at 1 PM for more book plate signing.

You know, it’s a good thing I’ve had all this practice signing books. The first time someone asked to sign one of my patterns I was so flummoxed that I spelled my own name wrong. And it was my first name, the one I’ve had my whole life. I left out the “t”. Beh. It’s still hard not to giggle. I mean, come on! This is me, signing books.

For now I need to get back to packing. While I work I’ll be thinking of something pithy to write with my signature. Any ideas?

It’s almost here. After a year of working and waiting and more working and more waiting, the new book is almost here.

Isn’t it beautiful? I think so too!

For those who are new to the  Hand Applique by Machine process we’ve included the basics. But it’s the new stuff, all the possiblities of the technique that I always knew were there, that’s what I’m most excited to share.

How about adding trapunto to our applique? It’s in there. What about decorating our applique with those fancy stitches on our machines that we never use? It’s in there! How about bobbinworking embellishment our designs? It’s in there too!

Even though I was wary in the beginning, I have loved the process of working with a publisher. I’ve gone from being the boss of everything to being part of a great team. The book design is exactly what I’ve always wanted and could never quite achieve on my own. The editors have asked all the right questions, helping me to write the clearest, easiest to follow directions. And the photography is spectacular.

But Wait! There’s More!

We’ve found the most amazing stuff. This paper acts like water soluble freezer paper! It irons on, just like freezer paper, but instead of wrestling it back out of the project this stuff just washes away! I know!

I’ve been asking for this stuff for years. And now it’s here! I’ve been using it in it’s orginial form for a couple of years, and all I can says is, I’ll never use freezer paper again!

We’re set up to take early orders for the book on my website (click here), we’ll add the paper site tonight. We don’t have an exact delivery date just yet, so we’ve set up a system that will take credit card numbers without automatically charging them. (We will add PayPal when we know the books are on the way.) Our best estimate for delivery is by early December. You better bet you’ll hear when the books are on the way!

Penny asked for me info on the dots. Since time is short I’ll have to do this minus pictures. I’m on my way, out the door to catch a plane to St. Louis, MO. From there I will drive to Hannibal, the boyhood home of Mark Twain, one of my favorite authors. I know there is still room in tomorrow night’s lecture, but Saturday’s class is full. Will I see you there?

To begin, I used scrapbooking punches to make my Tear Away Magic fusible templates. (I’ve been having a lot of success haunting scrapbooking stores for quilting supplies. I found the Globox there, and my new favorite glue pen, and now excellent shape punches.) I used two different sizes of punches, one about 3/4 of an inch, the other, a heaping 1/2 inch. I found that I could punch through about four layers of the TAMF, netting me tons of perfect circles in just a couple of minutes.

 The templates are then used just as we’ve done for the rest of the applique: pressed to the wrong side of the fabric (I used four shades of yellow), seam allowance added as they were cut out and then glue basted.

The basted circles were placed in the desired positions on the quilt and then temporarily held there by a tack from my favorite basting gun. Oh, this is sooooooooo much better than getting poked to death by the previously favored flat flower head pins.

 Finally, the dots were stitched down just as we stitch our flowers and leaves and other motifs in place, using the invisible thread and a zig zag or blind hem stitch. Because I’m using our handy dandy water soluble paper there’s no need to remove the templates. (How cool is that? Gosh, I will never stop being thrilled at having found this stuff. I’ve been begging stablizer manufacturers to create this stuff for years!)

After whining so unattractively about adding the berries, in the end it really did take only a few extra hours of stitching. And I know that the quilt is better for it. I’m just so silly sometimes.

 Coming in on the home stretch on my Now & Forever quilt, I had reached the point when I just wanted to be done. No longer in love with the quilt, no longer excited about the project, I just wanted to get it out of the way so I could move on. I get like that with almost all of my quilts. There comes a time when I’m just over it, and find myself wondering why I thought it was such a good idea in the first place. I have a feeling I’m not alone in this, why else would we all have so many UFOs?

When it comes to quilting I’m not keen on multitasking. I usually work on one project until it’s done and then move on. Too many balls in the air at one time makes me anxious and distracted. Of course, that’s not entirely true because deadlines often require that I drop everything and complete a small project, but I think of those as self-limiting.

The real problem arises when I’m stuck on a big project, in the hating phase, and I won’t allow myself to start something totally new. I have so many new ideas that I want to try that I would be flitting off like a butterfly at every turn and nothing would ever be finished.

So here I am, nearly done with the applique on the Now & Forever Quilt, and the issue of the berries must at last be addressed. To dot or not to dot, that is the question. The zillion berries had already been glue basted, they sat is a heap, just waiting to be placed.

The berries won. So, I wrestled my cranky self to the ground and got to work. Armed with my handy dandy basting gun, it only took a couple of hours to place and secure all the dots. In the end, adding the little gems will add one day to the applique process, maybe two if you count the basting. I used scrapbooking punches to make perfect circles out of the Tear Away Magic Fusible, the large are about 3/4 of an inch, the smaller just a heaping 1/2 inch. If I stop to count them now I may lose all heart and never finish.

Thank goodness for Sue Grafton and her “alphabet mysteries” on my mp3 player. I is for Innocent got me through the glue basting, J is for Judgement took me through the securing and stitching of the borders and K is for Killer will take me to the finish line.