Catch up time!

Life has been busy.  I've been working more so have less time to post.  But I have been keeping up with my quilting and blocks.  So for the next few days I'm going to try to post them to catch you up.

Here's July:

July's block  is in celebration of the 4^thof July and gives the illusion of fireworks.  You can use any appliqué technique you are the most comfortable with -there is no right or wrong with this block!  If you are unfamiliar with appliqué, you can look up YouTube tutorials on the different techniques on the internet.  For those totally unfamiliar with appliqué, here are just two of the many ways to appliqué.

July 2012  Fireworks Star

12 1/2” unfinished block

#1 Fabric (background):  Blue Stars Cut  1     14" X 14”	#2, 3, and 4 Fabric:  Your Choice White, Bright Reds and Blues Cut one square of each color, larger than the templates

Note:  Fabric #1 is intentionally larger than 12 ½ inches as sometimes there is shrinkage when appliquéing.   Position the stars on the background in any arrangement that is pleasing to you, but make sure the stars are at least 1 1/2 inches from each edge. 

Hand Appliqué:

1.       Trace templates onto paper-side of freezer paper.  Cut out templates and iron, wax-side down, onto the wrong side of chosen fabrics 2, 3, and 4 with a hot, dry iron.  Cut fabric around the freezer paper. Make sure you cut a 1/4 inch from the edge for a seam allowance.

 

 

 

 

 

2.       Turn seam allowances over the edge of the star and press.  Pin your star to the background fabric #1.  You may find it easier to first fold the seam allowances under and sew them down to the star using a basting stitch.  You can then sew this unit to the background block and remove the basting stitches once it is sewn down.

 

 

3.       Once your star is attached to the background block, cut a slit in the back of the background block and remove the freezer paper.  Repeat for remaining stars.  Trim block to 12 1/2 inches.

Heat and Bond/Machine Appliqué:

1.       Trace the templates onto the paper side of Heat and Bond and cut out on the lines.  Place with plastic side down on the wrong side of fabric 2, 3, and 4 and iron according to manufacturer’s instructions.

 

    

 

 

 

2.       Cut out on your traced lines.  Peel paper off the template and position your star on the background fabric #1.  Iron according to manufacturer’s instructions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

3.       Sew along the edges of the star with white thread using a button-hole stitch using either your sewing machine or by hand.  You could also use the zigzag stitch on your machine, but please use thread that matches each of your fabrics.