Month Three (March) Ruffled Roses

[Margo]

Sue, if you will lay the center of your quilt out flat then lay your (slightly oversized) background fabric across the center of the quilt, mark the background fabric to show where it extends beyond the center portion of your quilt. Repeat for the other 3 borders. That way you will know for sure what your finished cut size will be. Then mark the center and quarter divisions and place your swags between these marks. Easy peasy!

Or, you can start by marking the centers first, then marking where the background will eventually be timmed.

(Don't cut the background to length until you have finished your applique to allow for slight shrinking from the stitching.)

[ajclapp]

I prepared my swag appliques today for my Christmas BOM, then I decided it needed some berries. After preparing those I decided it needed some flowers too. I'm going to make yo-yo flowers. This is going to take a long time! And my time is up for today.

[gynconnie]

OK, here's a question for the group: Which piece of the swag are you treating as the upper layer? I'm thinking it is a matter of personal preference, but I'm curious to know how everyone else views this choice.

[gynconnie]

I put the non ruffled portion of the swag as my upper layer.
The darker green ruffled portion slips underneath the lighter green smooth curve.

[pam7040]

Connie, do you mean where do use use the lighter coloured fabric and where do you use the darker one? If so then I think you are right, it's a case of personal choice. I will need to audition my fabrics when I get to the swags. I'm just finishing my January block at the moment. ops: ops:

[kathyst2]

Pam, no need for the red face, I'm just starting my January block. At least you are ahead of me. It's great to have the guidance and hard-earned wisdom of those who went before me! I'm doing needle-turn, aren't those vines for the wreath skinny? Kathy

[pam7040]

Kathy, Having looked at alot of floral appliques I came to the conclusion that this is the most complicated vine/stems I have ever seen. Straight stems and curved stems I could have done without too much problem. This was a real challenge!! After various sample pieces I finally went to what seemed like the method that would give me the best looking result. Fusing with steam a seam 2. Even then one part got cut incorrectly. Fortunately I managed to disguise it with another bud.

[ladyquilter]

Kathy, Having looked at alot of floral appliques I came to the conclusion that this is the most complicated vine/stems I have ever seen. Straight stems and curved stems I could have done without too much problem. This was a real challenge!! After various sample pieces I finally went to what seemed like the method that would give me the best looking result. Fusing with steam a seam 2. Even then one part got cut incorrectly. Fortunately I managed to disguise it with another bud.

"Fortunately I managed to disguise it with another bud."

NAH.... That's called taking artistic license on the block. No one will ever know but you.

[Patchworkjill]

Connie yes its definately a choice for each person to make, but I have to admit I have copied Sue Garmons way with the colour fabric placement as I thought she has had sooooooo much more experience than I, I would just copy her, just to make sure I am learning along the way I did audition my two fabric colours and thought it looked better this way also. BUT like everyone has said it's so much a personal choice and we all look at these blocks in different eyes, in the end if you love it thats all that matters.

The great thing with TQS is we can go to the BOM's show and tell and see the huge range of variations in making this quilt.

[Patchworkjill]

That's good advise, Taree.

[pam7040]

pam7040 wrote:
Kathy, Having looked at alot of floral appliques I came to the conclusion that this is the most complicated vine/stems I have ever seen. Straight stems and curved stems I could have done without too much problem. This was a real challenge!! After various sample pieces I finally went to what seemed like the method that would give me the best looking result. Fusing with steam a seam 2. Even then one part got cut incorrectly. Fortunately I managed to disguise it with another bud.

"Fortunately I managed to disguise it with another bud."

NAH.... That's called taking artistic license on the block. No one will ever know but you.

Lol JoJo, no one but me, Robin who suggested it and half the forum :lol: :lol:

[RGold]

pam7040 wrote:
Kathy, Having looked at alot of floral appliques I came to the conclusion that this is the most complicated vine/stems I have ever seen. Straight stems and curved stems I could have done without too much problem. This was a real challenge!! After various sample pieces I finally went to what seemed like the method that would give me the best looking result. Fusing with steam a seam 2. Even then one part got cut incorrectly. Fortunately I managed to disguise it with another bud.

"Fortunately I managed to disguise it with another bud."

NAH.... That's called taking artistic license on the block. No one will ever know but you.

Lol JoJo, no one but me, Robin who suggested it and half the forum :lol: :lol:

Yes, Pam, but by the time the year is over, we all will have forgotten that :wink: !

[RGold]

Margo, I have a question please, are the baskets in this quilt, paper pieced? I tried to find the answer to my question before I bothered you, but I could not seem to find the answer. As I have never done any complicated paper piecing before, if they are paper pieced, then I will find something to practice on. Also, I wrote under the subject of "Swags" that I have all four borders with my swags sewn. Now I am going to start working on the vines, flowers and hearts. I am so enjoying myself!

[Margo]

Yes, Janice, they will involve some paper piecing. Sue will provide the foundations for all of the HSTs which will be added to some rectangles and squares and triangles that will be assembled as regular piecing. She will provide a lay-out for each basket, but it's not a problem if you decide to make some changes! You just have to get your blocks to finish at 6" x 6".

So glad you are enjoying this project and I hope you will post some photos!

[Margo]

Now I have solved my printing problems: I bought new inks for my other printer, and it printed everything so accurately. Thank you Zarah for you advice! Here starts applique!