Cherry Birds and Running Reds

One of my favorite blocks from “Baltimore Garden Quilt”* is this Cherry Bird block. I started this one for teaching a hand applique workshop in Chattanooga, Tennessee, at the American Quilter’s Society’s QuiltWEEK event. Now I can finally finish stitching the rest of this block. Just one little problem...

I do not make any marks on my background fabric, so there are no marks remove; however, by the time a hand appliqué block is finished, it is a little wrinkled. So I rinse the block in cool water, then let it dry overnight laid flat on a terrycloth towel. Once the block is dry, I give it a little spray mist, and press it with an iron from the BACK on a fluffy terrycloth towel. (Never press the front of applique – it flattens the applique, and could cause shiny edges at the turned under seam allowance.)

But, wait! OH NO! Some of the red cherry fabrics ran! See the pink halos around the cherries? (Insert your own words of distress here.)
 

No worries, I think I can fix this. Back to the basin, fill with cool water and add a spoonful of Dawn dishwashing liquid (original blue Dawn shown in the photo). Swish it around, and let the block soak in that a while, maybe an hour. Then rinse, rinse, and rinse again to get all the soap out. (No wringing or squeezing which could distort the block.)

Let the block dry once again. Hoooray! The pink halos are gone. Back to the ironing board, face down on the fluffy terrycloth towel. Spray a light mist to dampen the block, and the block is ready to press.
  

Looks good!

 
Students often ask “How did you do the tiny bird’s eyes?” Here is a photo of the fabric (with a penny for scale) that I used for these bird’s eyes. I seem to collect bird’s eye fabrics. This fabric was also available in white, but it was not handy, so I needleturned the pink under, leaving only the circles.
  

One of these days, I will blog step-by-step how I stitch really tiny circles. But, if you were in my Chattanooga workshop, you already know!

Keep stitching,
Barbara M. Burnham

P.S. This pattern and more are available on CD in the book "Baltimore Garden Quilt" or in full size printed patterns here: http://www.barbaramburnham.com/

(c) 2015 Barbara M. Burnham. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any kind is expressly prohibited without prior written authorization.

APPLIQUE! Workshops at AQS Chattanooga, September 10-13, 2014

Join us in Chattanooga, Tennessee at the American Quilter's Society QuiltWeek for some applique!  Whether you are a beginner or advanced appliquer, have fun learning new techniques in Chattanooga. I will be teaching FOUR applique workshops, plus free demos of Applique Basket Weaving. Some workshops are almost FULL, so hurry and register. Hope to see you there!

Enjoy over 500 quilts, including the incredible AQS contest quilts! My quilt "M.E.C. Remembered" from the book Baltimore Garden Quilt will also be on exhibit.  

#63501 Edge-Ruched Flower and Bud

Wednesday 1:00-4:00 pm

SOLD OUT Dress up your appliqué quilts or clothing with easy edge-ruched flowers and buds. Learn easy techniques to finish this little block. Start with a simple leaf and stem and learn to appliqué smooth curves. Sew a fancy ruched flower and a bud bursting from its calyx. Add a stuffed circle or button to finish your ruched flower. I will also show you how to turn your ruched flowers into fabric jewelry to wear.

http://www.quiltweek.com/workshops/63501-edged-ruched-flower-and-bud/?portfolioID=13202

#63101 Cherry Tree Birds

Thursday 8:30am-4:00pm

SOLD OUT Four hungry birds in a cherry tree appear on an antique quilt featured in Barbara’s book Baltimore Garden Quilt. Plan traditional colors of red and green, or go wild from your fabric stash as Barbara shows you the techniques needed to finish this block including: how to choose fabrics, organize and manage lots of pieces, and accurately place the pattern without marking the background. Learn how to needle-turn smooth curves and points with the freezer paper on-top method. Make perfectly round, stuffed cherries with super skinny appliquéd cherry stems. Raise your skills to a new level, and learn to sew tiny appliqué on a bird’s eyes and legs, or use embroidery techniques for details. Experiment with layered appliqué and off-block appliqué techniques. Barbara will offer tips, tricks, and ideas to make your hand appliqué even faster. http://www.quiltweek.com/workshops/63101-cherry-tree-birds/?portfolioID=13202

#63502 Baltimore Garden Tulips

Friday 8:30-11:30am

SOLD OUT Inspired by an antique appliqué quilt, perky tulips are clipped from the larger pattern in Barbara’’s book Baltimore Garden Quilt. Learn to hand appliqué smooth curves and soft leaf points. With freezer paper on-top as your guide for needle-turn, master the V-points in the tulip and inner U-curves of unfurled tulip buds. Choose from several methods to make graceful curved stems. Barbara will offer tips and tricks to make your hand appliqué faster, and how to manage accurate placement of appliqué pieces without marking the background.
http://www.quiltweek.com/workshops/63502-baltimore-garden-tulips/?portfolioID=13202

#63503 Applique Stems and Vines

Saturday 8:30-11:30am

SOLD OUT Start as a beginner or expand your appliqué toolbox! Barbara will demonstrate as many methods as time allows to make stems, vines, and basket weaves for various styles of hand or machine appliqué. Determine which methods are best for each appliqué situation. Learn about bias and straight grain, when each cut is most effective, and easily figure out how long and how wide to cut fabric for stems and vines to fit your project. Learn several methods of stem placement, how to neatly turn under cut stem ends, and how to reduce bulk or add dimension. Handout booklet is loaded with graphics, tips, and tricks for eighteen different methods. Choose a few methods to sew stems on your class project, or make samples to store in your booklet for future reference. Top off your stems with colorful yo-yos or add flowers of your choice. http://www.quiltweek.com/workshops/63502-baltimore-garden-tulips/?portfolioID=13202

See you in Chattanooga!

Barbara M. Burnham

www.barbaramburnham.com/