Monday, February 29, 2016

More Bees 'n Blooms

KT Winner

Congratulations to Joey for winning last weeks' giveaway of our new Buzzz pattern and Bees 'n Blooms charm pack. Please be patient, as the precuts haven't shipped yet and I used the few I received from Moda to make my quilts. Bees 'n Blooms is coming in March, so you'll have your goodies soon.

Joey Ritenour  February 24, 2016 at 4:55 AM - I love the Buzzz pattern! There is a great deal of motion in this quilt--you can feel the hive buzzing. I'm need to put this on my summer "to do" list. It will look great in my classroom--we are the Yellow Jackets!
 
I love that you're a teacher in a school with the Yellow Jackets as your mascot - too perfect! What a great way to introduce your students to quilting.
 
 

Bees 'n Blooms

So, the fabric collection is called Bees 'n Blooms, the book is named Bees 'n Blooms, and the featured quilt is also called Bees 'n Blooms. When you hit on a good thing, why change it up? One of the hardest parts of designing for me is naming everything, from the individual prints of each fabric and colors in the line, to the overall collection, and then each project made with that collection. Geez! One of the quilts in the book is usually the inspiration behind the name, so I'm just gonna go with it.
 
 I'm trying a new format for our fabric collection patterns. We're including 2 or 3 unique ideas in a book with a couple coordinating, smaller projects - all for one price. The book is 8" x 8", a size I really like to work with. It's stapled, so the pages lay flat when you're working on a project and need to see cutting or assembly directions. I think it works better than 2 or 3 "patterns in a bag" with loose pages. And, for only $15.95 for 6 projects, it's a great value, too! I'd love to hear your feedback.

Bees 'n Blooms lap quilt - JR background with raw edge applique
Bees 'n Blooms has a pieced background made using a Jelly Roll. So simple. Not alot of math. Easy layout - really. Then, almost all of the appliques are made using our KT Melon Template - red flowers, blue flowers, some leaves, tulips - all easy to cut with a rotary cutter and the template. The purple flowers use the mini melon cutout in the template, so it's easy to draw onto fusible web and cut them out. I like having the fusible on the smaller pieces for easier placement/fusing for stitching, too. 


Even the bees' body & wings use the mini melon template!

 
I had a few pieces left over and couldn't let them go to waste, so I whipped up this adorable Mini Table Treat 17" round table topper, too. I think it will make a sunny backdrop for a vase of flowers, a candle or my bowl of M&M's. How would you decorate with it?

Bees 'n Blooms Mini Table Treat
 
Of course, I include the melon shapes in the book so you can make your own template, if you prefer. This week, you can win the Bees 'n Blooms book and the KT Melon Template by commenting here about your love/hate affair with applique. Are you a traditional needle turn gal? Like to simplify with fusible? Tell me all about it. 
 

Indiana Heritage Quilt Show

I'm off the Bloomington, IL to teach at the Indiana Heritage Quilt Show along with my quilting buddy, Pam Buda of Heartspun Quilts.  I'll be teaching classes all three days, so look me up and say "Hi!".   


 

47 comments:

  1. I love that lap quilt, so cute with the flowers at the bottom! I use fusible for my applique.

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  2. Your quilt and mat are gorgeous!! I love the idea of a book format...no lost pages and everything in one place! I do both both methods of applique in quilts...depending on their use and function and what is being appliqued. Thanks so much for the chance to win your newest pattern..it's a winner!
    Paulette

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  3. Your Mini Table Treat is beautiful! As far as applique goes, I've done needle turn but much prefer fusible. Gets done a whole lot quicker!

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  4. I love this whole line of patterns and fabrics. I mostly hand stitch my appliqués, but have used fusibles on occasion. I guess I'm still pretty much a traditionalist and enjoy doing hand stitching. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  5. Love the Bees 'n Blooms Mini Table Treat.

    OOh have fun in Bloomington. That's only about 3 hrs South of me. Are you driving there or flying? You will be very happy to be that far South in IL. We were just put under a Winter Storm Warning starting tonight to get up to 6 inches of snow. Ick. So sad because it was near 60 degrees over the past few days and today it's supposed to be near 50 degrees. Then this afternoon temps start dropping fast and then lots of snow. YUCK! WE spent lots of time in Bloomington as one of my twins went to ISU. If you haven't been there, they have an amazing little chocolate shop called The Chocolatier. If you get time, you must go there. They make wonderful chocolates.

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  6. I sometimes do the starch/freezer paper method for appliqué.
    Or at other times, I fuse and then machine appliqué with the buttonhole stitch. The project dictates the method I use.

    Have fun in IN.
    Charlotte

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  7. HI,love needle turn applique! How neat is "Bees 'n Blooms Mini Table Treat"! love that little design and your fabric choices! Thanks for sharing! msstitcher1214@gmail.com

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  8. I like applique, especially when combined with piecing. I don't have one favorite method -- it really just depends on the shapes I'm using and the type of project. I love your vase of flowers on the pieced background.

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  9. I do both, depending on the pattern I'm working on and the look I want.

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  10. I like the new book format idea. It is always easier when you can open up the book and it lays flat. I wish I could be Bloomington this weekend. I hope you have fun.

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  11. I love ALL applique -- needle-turn, fusible, raw-edge, and wool!!!

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  12. Oh I am the simple applique girl - machine applique for me!

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  13. I always get lumps with needle turn, but can keep things smooth with freezer paper. ;-) For quick projects nothing beats a fusible. Thank you for the fun!

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  14. I love to do applique. I took a few classes from a gal who was wonderful at needle turn. A couple of her tricks were using a round wooden toothpick to help turn. It works well damp. Also use your thumb to press and hold the turned under edge. I also have learned to love back-basteing applique. Wool applique is also a favorite because if you make a mistake and have to take it out the hole fills right back in. If you enjoy the process your most of the way there!

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  15. When it comes to applique my heart belongs to needle turn as I find it relaxing. I do use fusible applique on things I know won't be washed a lot in case it frays a tiny bit. Just say I'm OCD about my finishing.

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  16. The yellow tulips at the bottom of this quilt are like a sign that Winter will yield to Spring soon! KT fabrics and patterns are just the thing to brighten up the world!

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  17. I've never tried needle turned applique. I like simple so I'm a fusible kind of gal. I love the Bees 'n Blooms lap quilt. That one is now on my list of things to do.

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  18. I love needle turn applique. The only downside is the prep work, but that applies to anything. Once I get the supplies together and all the applique pieces marked and cut, it is a very portable, peaceful project.

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  19. All of these patterns are great! But, I love that little mini table treat! As much as I worship chocolate as the "fix for everything"... I think that little mat would look great with a beeswax candle! Applique? Love it! I like to have one needle turn project going at all times.... and then pull out the fusible applique projects when I need a "quick fix"! :-)
    Awesome idea with the smaller booklet that will lay flat... :-)

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  20. I've never tried needle turn applique....only fusible with machine blanket stitch or zig zag. That works well for me but I do like the look of hand applique.

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  21. I love applique, I love to use it to enhance pieced quilts, or just applique alone. It's a great way to add whimsy, beauty, interest to a quilt. I love hand work, so it's a natural for me.

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  22. I do have a love/hate relationship with applique. I love the look and want to do - had horrible results with hand-turned - better with fusible and either zig-zag or blanket sitch. I'm not going to give up - love the idea of the small book!

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  23. I enjoy doing applique with fusible and zig zag.

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  24. Some days my applique is better than others. I am working on the quilt along for Lori Holt's Bloom templates and some of the flowers turn out much better than the others.

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  25. I love to applique. I do the fusible method. I have tried the turned hand applique method but was not to successful (I know I need more practice:). Thanks for all the inspiration and for the wonderful giveaways.

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  26. I love applique! I prefer needle turn but some projects lend themselves well to fusible or machine stitch.
    I once used a bee applique to hide an ugly seam on a lap quilt. 😜

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  27. I love applique! Mostly fusible, raw edge and wool. I love the bees patterns - my husband and I raise bees. These items would look great in our home! Thanks for this great giveaway!

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  28. Love the look of applique but have never tried hand applique (afraid of messing it up) so have only done a couple of fusible projects. They looked good but I wasn't thrilled....hand turned looks so much better. I guess there are trade offs to everything. The Bees n Blooms line is adorable.

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  29. I enjoy traditional needle turn applique and use the back-basting method for placement. It takes a little more time in preparation but then it's easy to carry with you for the needle turn.

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  30. I really love this lap quilt!!! It is so springy and with the weather we've been having - perfect!!! I've done a little applique, mostly fusible. I'm not that good with the satin or zig zag stitches so am doing a little more with the raw edge, which really helps give a rustic look that I like. Perfect for KT fabrics!

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  31. Can't wait to see your new book, and flat pages! The 'Jelly Roll' background is so cute. I love applique, and the small mat you did.

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  32. I like the look of applique, but I have never tried needle turn, I like to simplify by using fusible. I also use my embroidery machine to do applique often. Thanks for all the fun and exciting project.

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  33. I love your Bees 'n Blooms lap quilt and mini table treat! Needle turn and wool applique are my favorites...I love hand work because it is so relaxing!

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  34. I love all your fabrics and use them a lot. I would love to win because I'm afraid of applique and this looks like a good way to learn.
    I took a Pam Buda class in February when she was at our guild in Ocala, FL. I finished the quilt top and am picking up my quilt from the long arm quilter today.

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  35. I love to do fast fun fusable projects but always have hand applique project going so when need to wait on someone, the best of both.

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  36. The ease of all these projects is just wonderful. I am just attempting needle turn for the first time and must say I don't love it:( I think I will stay with simple machine applique. Thanks for doing the book as something that can lay flat. With several of my larger books that I have made several projects out of, I have taken to Kinkos and had them put on a spiral binding so that it does lay flat and stays open!

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  37. I love applique. The little table mat is sew cute. I would love to make it.

    Christine Gibbons gibbyc57@yahoo.com

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  38. I love the look of your raw edge applique, especially your little bee! I've done some freezer paper applique and a little of the fusible. These projects make me want to try some more!

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  39. My quilting buddy got me hooked on applique---and I love it. Love your new pattern Bees and Blooms.

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  40. Beautiful projects!! Spring is in the air here and tulip leaves have been seen. I currently applique using a fusible and I have used your layered applique in a small table topper. Thanks for the chance in the giveaway.

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  41. Love all of your projects. I usually do needle turn applique. I decided to get brave and try machine applique, it's not to shabby. there is a lot of inspiration in this newsletter. Thank you.

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  42. I love applique. I admit, I always use fusible and do a raw edge applique. I really enjoy using a decorative machine stitch to finish off my pieces.

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  43. I have never done needle turn....too time consuming....I really enjoy wool applique. but must confess....feeling a bit burned out with all the applique....ready to get back to scrappy!!!! Jmh

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  44. Applique is so pretty. I do it with fusible and zig zag.

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  45. You asked for feedback regarding your small booklets so I am going to be honest....I love your work so much but am always disappointed in the photography. I am not sure if you use a professional or not but I think the investment would pay off to highlight your fabrics better. The booklets I have (and honestly also your blog photos) are dark and flat. In my opinion the lighting is off when photographing your work. I would love to see more detail and depth in the photographs. Just my opinion, of course, but your fabrics are so beautiful and I don't think they are being showcased the way they deserve.

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  46. I like to use fusible web if I'm going to machine stitch around an applique piece but get more satisfaction from hand sewing a piece onto my quilt. I find it quite relaxing.

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  47. Grandmother Altman's applique was beautiful, my hope is to one day do her favorite Ohio Rose pattern using my own fabric choices. I'm a lover of Kansas Troubles wonderful tiny prints. Jeannine aka j9knits

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