Florentine Edge Appliqué

Pipe Dreams, an original quilt by Ann Fahl

Have you seen the September 2013 issue of American Quilter Magazine? The above quilt was featured in my article about Florentine Edge Appliqué on pages 24-28.  I've probably mentioned this technique  before, I am really enjoying using it on my newest quilts. Pipe Dreams was about getting a new toilet.  You can read all the details on my website.

The article looks great, but what is funny is that I sent images of a newer quilt; which they decided not to use. So all of my blog readers can read the back story of this newer quilt and the article! 

Coneflower Tea, © an original quilt by Ann Fahl  22 x 22 inches

The quilt Coneflower Tea, contains so many of my personal images, I just love it.  It is hanging in my studio right now. The base of the quilt or the "tablecloth" is a large ginkgo leaf.  On it, rests a teapot and 2 cups.  This teapot is a favorite of mine, it also appears in another quilt titled Tea Party.  This quilt is particularly colorful and my cat Oreo is included. The actual teapot is bright red. Back to Coneflower Tea, the pot in this quilt is decorated with a small pink coneflower.

To tell you the truth, I've never made tea in this pot.  It sits in my family room, where I can enjoy looking at it.  So in this newer quilt, I've removed the lid and arranged some large coneflowers inside.

Closeup of the ginkgo leaf.

The very wide stitch on the edge of the lime/yellow leaf is my Florentine Edge Appliqué.  In the past I have wanted a wide zigzag stitch.  My machine gives a 7mm stitch and I believe Bernina has a 9 mm wide stitch, neither is wide enough for my needs.  By accident I found if I set my machine for a free-motion zigzag and moved the quilt side to side, I could create an edge that was 1, 1.5, 2 inches or wider as needed. Eureka, I have done it! This creates a soft edge, not a hard defined edge that a standard satin stitch provides. This is exactly what I'm looking for. 

Detail of bright blue leaves with green variegated Florentine Edge

These leaves are small, only 3 or 4 inches long.  I love how the blue fabric pops when edged with the green variegated Rainbow thread.

Briefly this is what you do to create this stitch, there are 3 steps:

1.Set up the machine with feed dogs down, darning foot installed
2.Set zigzag width for about 3 (you can experiment with the width)
3.Stitch along the edge with a free-motion zigzag stitch for 1 or 2 inches
4.Retrace your steps and go back over the zigzags you have just created
5.Now move the fabric side-to-side going as far into the center of the shape as you'd like.
6.When you have covered the first row of zigzag stitching, begin again with step #3. Continue around the shape in this manner until the edges are covered.

This isn't a fast method.  It takes time to create this interesting edge but it is worth the time.  For detailed instructions, check out the article in AQ, or see my booklet titled Applique Ann's Way.

Ann Fahl

Oreo is Moving! La Conner to Anderson!

It is time to announce that Oreo's next exhibit will open soon:

January 29-March 25 2012

Opening reception Jan 29, 1:30-4:00
Open Tuesday through Sunday from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
-- and they have an interesting gift shop too. 

Anderson Arts Center

121 Sixty-Sixth Street
Kenosha, WI 53143

The public is invited.  Donations accepted.

Valentine for You, a quilt for Valentine's Day by Ann Fahl

 

There will be two exhibits showing:

A Black and White Tale, all of the quilts in the book will be on exhibit.  

Ann will be signing books at the opening

Quilts in Color: The artists are Rhonda Rodero, Melody Johnson, 

Marcia Stein, Barbara J. Schneider, Gloria Hansen

The Anderson Mansion.  Galleries on two floors in a beautiful setting.

I haven't seen the complete exhibit on both floors yet, it is still being set up!  But what I have seen is amazing!  You will love the variety of subjects, use of color, and expertise that all the artists bring to this beautiful art center.  If you live anywhere in the midwest, please  put this on your calendar.

There will be more about this diverse exhibit in the future.

Ann Fahl

Still Playing with Metallics!

For several months I've been working on a major piece.  When it's ready to exhibit I will show it to you, and write about how it developed.  But for now, I'm just beginning to embroider portions of it. The collage I've been working on, has been sort of a test piece for this new one which is currently titled, Egyptian Garden III.

After spending several days embroidering just stems, it was time to work on the papyrus flower/leaf.  I planned the embroidery (decorative stitching on just the quilt top) by doodling on a life size drawing on paper of the flower.  Right away I came up with something I really liked.  Since I've been playing with metallic threads now, I chose to use a green metallic on a mottled green flower. I used a topstitch 14/90 needle with the spool sitting upright.

Embroidered stylized papyrus ©2011 Ann Fahl

I am so thrilled with how this turned out, I just had to share it with you. The base of the flower hasn't been embroidered yet, but it will be stitched next. When the quilt is finished, the quilting will enhance the design direction that you see here.  From time to time, I'll show you little bits and pieces of this new quilt.

That's all for now.

Ann

Bead it Baby!

Today I had a most interesting afternoon.  Lyric Kinard's new DVD called Bead it Like You Mean it arrived in the mail. I had just finished piecing and fusing a medium sized piece; folded all the fabrics, put them away, and cleaned off my cutting table. I'm ready for something new. What a coincidence!

Lyric's new DVD

After running an errand, I decided that the rest of the afternoon would be dedicated to Lyric and beading.  I put the dvd in my laptop and took instruction from Lyric.  I've been beading my quilts since about 1991, and of course, I think I know it all!  Well, I learned lots of things from her because her point of view is so different from mine!

I loved how her backdrop changed with each segment she taught.  Her explanations were well thought out and very clear.  She demonstrated everything at least once. She used contrasting threads so it was easy to see where the thread was inside of the beads and on each project.  I was very impressed, Lyric is a gifted teacher and presenter.

On several occasions she showed small finished pieces that incorporated the techniques she had just  demonstrated in the previous segment. Lyric always had a little bit of a sense of humor as she explained the possible difficulties and challenges that might come along, this made watching the video both fun and informative.

Briefly, this is what she covered:

• Types of beads
• Setting up the tools and workspace
• Seed beads
• Bugle beads
• Stacking beads and fringe
• Creating cages for large pieces
• How to bead a quilt after it has been finished without any knots showing on the back

She shows a great way to make knots along the way and at the end of your threads. She stresses the importance of making the beads secure.  I enjoyed the segment on making stacks of beads which is something I haven't done, and look forward to adding to my new piece.

This DVD comes in a protective case, was professionally filmed and edited by Bonnie Lyn McCaffery. The DVD can be stopped after each segment, so you can practice the parts that interest you before going on to the next chapter. Bead it Like You Mean It retails for 24.95 plus 5.50 shipping. She accepts PayPal on her blog http://lyrickinard.blogspot.com

Here's a closeup of my collage Still Life with Scraps

In the very near future I will show you my current project titled Still Life with Scraps, when fused, embroidered and beaded.  I am anxious to see how it turns out.

Happy beading everyone.

Ann Fahl