Thursday, May 26, 2016

Crafted Applique Blog Hop and Giveaway (CLOSED)

Today is my turn to share my opinion of {BuzzinBumble} Lara B's new book, Crafted Applique... New Possibilities. She asked friends and fellow bloggers to read the book and make something with her technique. AND we get to give away one of her books to our readers! Keep reading for more information.

Lara explains her applique method and its variations extremely well. It makes using the tiniest pieces possible... without fraying. Just look at Heidi's work on Red Letter Quilts. She made the most detailed circles (for Quilty 365) and then designed adorable reindeer. Wow!

In addition to being so clever, Lara is a talented artist. Her book contains seven unique projects, each in a different style. I love the Mid-century Modern vibe of the camper on the cover but she also has a folk art throw quilt, a realistic moth on a pillow and a sewing machine cover that doubles as a gingerbread house. All the patterns and instructions are included in the book. Take a look at her blog for more project photos and more giveaway chances.

You will want to keep an eye out for future patterns from this talented quilter.


Although you don't see much evidence on my blog I actually know how to applique. I just haven't done much for a long time. Lack of practice made me quite hesitant to draft a design. Several quilts-in-process call for applique so I simply must buckle down. Finally I chose to make a pillow using leftover arcs from my Polka Dot quilt. {Starting small and easy for once.}

I sewed selvedges diagonally to a backing and batt as a foundation. Next I prepped the fabric as Lara taught then laid the arcs in interlocking circles.

Selvedge strings on the diagonal form the base layer, then quarter arcs are arranged on top to create circles on this pillow.
I pressed them with an iron and press cloth then sewed a straight stitch with matching thread on each circle. Here's the finished top - soft, pliable, and fray-less! It will be smaller once I sew the pillow back. I want to keep it but it's promised already. Guess I'll have to make another.

Linked circles appliqued
on top of selvedge strings create this pillow top.

There are several ways to get a copy of Crafted Applique.
  1. Leave a comment on this post telling me how this technique will help you. I'll draw one name on June 4 and Lara will mail your copy.
  2. Enter a giveaway on one of the other blogs.
  3. Order a signed copy directly from Lara's Big Cartel shop.
  4. Order a copy from AQS.
  5. Order a copy on Amazon. They've already sold out twice.
By the way, the linkup for AHIQ is still active. Take a look at the talented quilters there and consider joining in.

Enjoy the day, Ann

81 comments:

Béa said...

I love applique and I am open to everything who made the work easer.

Quilting Babcia said...

I love all these unique projects popping up using Lara's technique. Hoping to win a copy of her book but if not, next month's budget will have to allow for one!

Anita said...

It would be wonderful if this technique could help me make an appliqué project much easier, without having to use a blanket stitch.

Martina said...

I always have problems with the circles and this looks like a way to manage this much better. Loove your quilt so much!Thanks for sharing!

Marly said...

I'm certain this book would help me as I've never been successful in my attempts at machine appliqué. This looks like a method even I could manage. Thanks for the opportunity to win one.

Lara B. said...

Oh Anne, I would have a very hard time giving that pillow away. It's so playful and fun! Your selvage strip background is fabulous and your scrappy arc circles are the perfect appliques to for it! I love how you interlocked most of them and left two free. I hope this type of play has you ready to do your other applique projects, because I'm really excited to see what you'll dream up next!
Thank you for all the wonderful things you wrote about my book and for creating such a fun project for your post - I love it!

Alice Ronne said...

Since I've floundered with applique before(many attempts) I think this might be the solution. Thanks for the giveaway! akronne17@gmail.com

Mary Keasler said...

I absolutely must learn this technique. And I absolutely must make a pillow just like yours. It is killer greatness.

Afquilt said...

This will help me finish a baby quilt in the WIP pile! I love applique but it is so time consuming and intimidating!

Kathy H said...

I have several quilts with small applique designs that would be a great use of this new technique. The circle quilt is great. Love all the different fabrics.

Jocelyn said...

I've not done much applique, and I would love to learn Lara's technique. Thanks for the giveaway. The book looks like it would be a great help in learning applique.

JanineMarie said...

Wow, this is amazing. Can you imagine trying to piece those interlocking circles? I'm glad to see that Lara's method works over many seams. I have a landscape style quilt that I want to frame in kind of detailed trees, and I think this might be just the right method to use for that.

Vicki in MN said...

I do a fair number of applique projects, always by machine using blanket stitch. It would be fun to try a new method and who knows perhaps that will be my 'go to' method. And since my BD is June 3rd-it would be a great present, LOL.

cjmont said...

i love your pillow. selvage projects are so much fun. i would ique.love to try this new applique techn

patty a. said...

I think I could expand on my improv work. Right now I just piece my work, but this technique could add a whole new dimension to it.

JANET said...

I hand applique, so it would cut down on time for me. I like your pillow!

Lori Smanski said...

this is so adorable. will have to get her book. thanks for sharing.
quilting dash lady at comcast dot net

Karen in Breezy Point said...

Your circles are so fun! It's always good to learn a new technique--I love to applique, so this book looks very interesting!

Kathy E. said...

Your pillow top is a great use of selvages and scraps AND Lara's secret technique to applique! I do love to applique too and will enjoy it even more with no fraying or tricky blanket/satin stitching. Love this!

@lutzcats said...

I think it would help get it done neater and faster!

OhioLori said...

This Hop has been Awesome! Soooo many Great Projects have been shared! :) I tried hand applique..was ok..but I was soooo slow at it. Tried Raggedy Edge applique too...was quicker..but can't use on all styles of applique. :/ lol This book will definitely encourage me to try again! Very excited about it too. :)

Thank you for chance to win your Give-a-way too! :D

Nann said...

Your selvedges and circles project is so clever! I enjoy machine applique and as a result of diligently following the daily posts in this blog hop, I'm really, really looking forward to learning Lara's technique.

Gene Black said...

This technique will help me be fearless doing appliqué - I will no long be afraid it will fray. I will also be able to do much smaller pieces without fear.
Yes, I need this.

Nancy J said...

Curves, straight edges, ;points, and tiny strips, this technique looks like magic for every type of applique, and faster and lots easier than fusible web or needleturn, I use the web, as fingers are not so nimble now for hand stitching.

em's scrapbag said...

I would love to learn Lara's method. It looks great! Love your pillow!

Mystic Quilter said...

This is a beauty, the selvedge background so very effective and I've never seen interlocking circles before, very, very effective.

Connie Kauffman said...

This would be great, to not have the edges fray

Linette Greene said...

I aspire to applique, but don't really care to do it. I am hoping I can use this book to do some projects I have in the queue--two gorgeous applique art quilt kits my husband bought for me at a quilt show, some Toni Whitney patterns I started, and a few McKenna Ryan ones. I am also doing the Splendid Sampler and have not been terribly satisfied with my applique blocks.

Sewgirl said...

I generally have shied away from appliqué due to having to be concerned about the edges, and when I do, have almost always done raw edge and hoped for the best...I am so intrigued with Lara's technique. Can't wait to find out what she does to make her edges 'fray free'! Thanks for sharing the giveaway.

Lisa England said...

I think applique on baby quilts is just adorable -- little animals would be super cute! But with all the washing a baby quilt must withstand I never felt like raw edge applique would be a good fit. I've done some needleturn on baby quilts, but of course that limits just how intricate the shapes can be, given my mediocre needleturn skills. I think Lara's method could be just the thing to add cute shapes to baby quilts! I can't wait to try it out.

mumbird3 said...

I love your project - very cute! I would love to improve my applique...my curosity is really engaged about this book!!! Thanks for sharing!

Unknown said...

I would love to improve my applique with her method.

Angie in SoCal said...

Oh, I want to be frayless! Thanks for the chance. I love your colorful quilt.

Anna brown said...

I love applique and even better if the new trick makes it easer..... happyness04431@yahoo.com

Kathleen said...

This technique will help me because when I zigzag or buttonhole stitch an applique edge I always end up with my needle in the wrong position when making a turn. The promise of only straight stitching the edges of these appliques will solve that problem! Thanks for the opportunity to win!
kakingsbury at verizon dot net

Lisa J. said...

I love your take on using the technique. The interlocking circles are wonderful.

mangozz said...

I love the look of applique but I am a perfectionist and if it doesn't come out really good, then I have to redo it. I would love to know what her secrets are. Thanks.

Gloria said...

This technique sounds so amazing! I have tried applique and the results have not been great.

Anja @ Anja Quilts said...

Your project is awesome. I love the arcs. I'm hoping Lara's technique will help avoid all the fraying and trying to figure out the right zig zag stitch. I don't like applique, but I have been enjoying seeing all the wonderful projects. Think it's time to give it another try.

Jennifer Scantlebury Vienneau said...

Neater, faster and frayless are all inviting possibilities! And love your project!

Nancy said...

I have only ever appliqued by hand and enjoy it for its portability but there are times when knowing how to do it by machine would be ever so helpful (especially if it's using straight stitch, since that's all I have). Thanks for sharing about the book and offering the giveaway.
--Nancy. (ndmessier @ aol.com, joyforgrace.blogspot.com)

GranChris said...

My applique skills are at best so so. I need this book to improve of course. It can't hurt, right?

MMorton said...

I've never done raw edge appliqué...this will be a simpler method than others I've read about.

Helen L said...

How will this help me? It will help me get those hundreds of applique patterns done much faster than doing turned under applique!! :-) So many things I want to make, and so little time! And I love your circles quilt-let: fantastic background!! Hugs, H in Healdsburg

lauraluvsloons said...

This technique will let me get over the raw edge applique phobia I have so I can do some more intricate applique shapes. I can't wait to buy this book:)

SandraC said...

I love the pillow! I've never done anything with selvedges, but have wanted to. So maybe starting with a pillow is just the thing. And to add the circles....love it!

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

I have never appliqued and I want this book a lot. If I can't win it, I am budgeting to buy it. The technique looks so easy.

LadySchep said...

I always have a hard time with appliqueing fiddly little bits. It sounds like this new technique will solve some of those problems!

kupton52 said...

I love the look of applique but as my techniques need honing I often shy away from it....I'm making new throw pillows for my living room and tv room....I could sure use this technique for making KNOCKOUT pillows rather than just ho-hum pillows.

Knittingdancer on Ravelry said...

I like the idea of using the selvage edges of fabric for the background of the quilt block.

NancyA said...

I enjoy doing blanket stitch with applique, but not all designs lend themselves to that technique. This sounds great.

Jayne said...

Love your selvege idea! I think this technique would make me actually want to applique! I've never liked the fraying before, but this sounds like the solution to that!

CyndyK said...

I'd love to learn this applique method because I've struggled w/ needle turn applique and don't like the look of fraying on other types. Thanks for offering the giveaway. cknapp3626(at)sbcglobal(dot)net

Jenny said...

Blanket stitched by machine applique is the only way I've tried, but the results are not always the best, I've found. So I would love to win a copy of the interesting book to try something new.

Jenny said...

Blanket stitched by machine applique is the only way I've tried, but the results are not always the best, I've found. So I would love to win a copy of the interesting book to try something new.

Kathy's Korner said...

Lara's technique will enable me to sew more intricate patterns without the worry of frayed edges. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy of her book.

Tu-Na Quilts said...

I haven't found an applique method that works for me; I've taken several classes but haven't finished even one block. Maybe this method would be just what I need. kthurn(at)bektel(dot)com
https://tunaquilts.wordpress.com/

suzanprincess said...

I'd like to applique some hummingbirds and/or flowers to personalize some simple tops, and those designs really need to be non-fraying. I'm looking forward to winning a copy of this book!

Gill said...

I've only done a little fusible applique - I'd love to try a new technique!

fabricstasher24@gmail.com said...

This technique (whatever it is) sounds ideal and will.provide fray free applique.
fabricstasher24@gmail.com

Unknown said...

Thanks for the giveaway chance. I've never liked the frayed edges on my applique. This method should help. refusestofear at yahoo dot com

Mara said...

I am so interested in seeing what technique Lara uses, it looks so exciting! grecomara at gmail dot com

KrisR said...

I've been on a 'circle kick' lately so would love to have a copy of this book to learn new techniques for both machine and hand applique of circles. Cool design - it will make a lovely pillow.

Terry Aske Art Quilts said...

Love your circles! It sounds like this book would be very helpful for appliqué projects.

Anna-Marie said...

This book would help me to learn a fool proof method for appliqué as I've struggled up to now and really don't like frayed edges. Thanks for the chance to win.
annamariehlustik@googlemail.com

Brenda said...

I love applique but face issues quite often in some of the methods that I have used. With following along with the blog hop, I am so in awe of what everyone has created and raved about this new technique. I am hoping I can win a copy of the book to improve my applique and learn a new technique! Thank you for sharing and have a fantastic creative day!

Monica said...

Love your pillow top! It's always helpful to add another tool to my quilting tool belt, so please count me in the draw. :D

LJ said...

Hey for an raw-edge applique method that doesn't have frayed edges!

Lee said...

I love a smooth edge on applique and am not so good at turned needle - I would love to give this a go!

SarahZ said...

Sweet pillow! Such a fun selvage idea too! Like so many others, I think I would actually appliqué if I used Lara's method!! Thanks so much for the chance to win a copy!

sam said...

what i like best about this technique is no fraying edges and the ability to reposition.

Dody said...

I'm a beginner. I've only done machine applique. Thank you for the chance to win.

Connie Kresin Campbell said...

What a great background for the applique! Lara really does a great job of explaining her technique.

PugMom said...

I've got several applique BOMs just waiting to be worked on!

virgdale said...

Love the idea of no frayed edges anymore!!

Sue said...

I have not done a lot of applique, and most of what I've done has been raw-edge, just figuring it out as I go along. I would love to learn a better technique for keeping the edges clean, and have a bunch of art quilt ideas floating in my head that really could not be done any other way. I'd love to see this book, it sounds quite intriguing!

Kaja said...

I love this- like the selvedges as a background for the lovely interlocking arcs. I'm not surprised you want to keep it! (No need to put me in the giveaway!)

Sewing Sue said...

I love the look of applique and would really enjoy learning a new technique to make it easier and better looking. Then maybe I'd actually DO some of it! Thanks.

Anonymous said...

Very nice pillow. I ordered an applique block of the month MANY years ago that is so detailed that I was terrified to start it using the freezer paper method I feel comfortable with. I think Lara's method will work perfectly (practice a little on a couple of her projects - the camper...) and I can finally start the beautiful project that has been waiting to see the light of day. Thank you for the giveaway and being part of the blog hop.

Sally said...

Great pillow! I'm still looking for a 'go to' method for applique and hope this is the answer!

Mel said...

love the interlocking rings...very freddy!!