Time for a bit of quilting. For you sampler lovers....there are a couple more posted at the end of this post. Don't miss them!

This is a good day to show you how we do invisible machine appliqué. Barb and I don't have enough hours in the day to do everything by hand. We are able to complete many quilts in a short period of time by doing the appliqué by machine. It is not as relaxing and peaceful as doing it by hand....but we can get our quilts done in 9 - 30 days depending upon our deadlines.

These pictures will give you an idea of the process. I will be posting a block pattern that you can try in the next day or so. And I will take some pictures of my machine set-up too. My husband (our official "web-helper") is visiting his Mom in Houston. He might be able to post the pattern from there...but I might have to wait until he gets back home. And I have to do the"spring cleaning thing"...so bear with me. Anyway....back to the task at hand.


Use a fine tip marker and draw each template on the slick side of the freezer paper. Draw the reverse templates on the dull side.



If multiples of one template are needed, cut up to six at a time by drawing one piece and layering it with six sheets of freezer paper. Stapling them together prevents them from slipping as you cut. Except for the bias tape, each appliqué piece will need a paper template.

After all the pieces are cut out, iron the slick side of the paper template to the reverse side of the fabric. The heat of the iron will adhere the paper to the fabric. Cut out each piece, adding 1/8” - 1/4” seam allowance to all sides.


Use a glue stick to glue the seam allowance to the back side of the template. When complete, each piece “looks” finished.

Position all of the appliqué pieces on the background block. Pick up each piece and use dots of Roxanne’s Glue-Baste-It on the turned seam allowance and then reposition each piece on the background block. Repeat until all pieces are glued in place.

Use a 50 weight cotton thread for the appliqué. Match your sewing thread to the appliqué piece. Use the blind hemstitch on your sewing machine. The stitch pattern will have several straight stitches and then a zig zag stitch. The stitch width should be just wide enough to catch a couple of threads of the appliqué piece. The zig zag stitches need to be 1/16” to 1/8” apart. Practice on a scrap piece of fabric until you are comfortable with the stitch length and width. (There will be more on this step in the next post.)

After the pieces are stitched in place on the background block, turn the block over to the reverse side. Cut away the fabric from under each appliquéd piece leaving a 1/4” seam allowance.


Dampen the block with cool water and wait about 5 minutes for the glue to release. Pull the fabric on the diagonal both ways and the freezer paper will pop loose. Remove all the paper from each block.
Place the block on a flat surface to allow the fabric to dry.
More about this tomorrow....or Monday.

Couple more sampler pictures. The first is from Edgar Mathews.

"I used my maternal grandparents initials and the year they where married. You will recognize the bird and branch from BBD Pins and Needles. I used 36 ct Barn Owl and the floss' where - OWS, CC, GAST and a Six Strand Sweets. I also shifted and cleaned up some of the edges."


Don't you love the sweet colors on these samplers?

Judy Starkey stitched the above sampler.