Today, we will be finishing our “Let It Snow Man!!” pattern, by going over the hat, hair, and borders.
The
next steps are for the Yo-Yo hat and Zig Zag hair. Note: If you use
the optional 2 ½” circle template and hair template, fuse them into
place and blanket stitch all the way around.
Now for the Yo-Yo hat and Zig Zag hair. Let’s start making paper templates of the hair and hat, by tracing the pattern
on a blank piece of paper and then cutting them out. Then lay the hair templates to the side.
Using the hat circle template trace and cut out the circle on the back of the fabric you have chosen for the hat. 
Before
making the Yo-Yo, I suggest taking the hat flower and fusing it onto
the hat fabric and using a blanket stitch, sew around the flower edge.
Next fold the raw edge of the circle approximately ¼” in toward the
wrong side of the fabric. Then
with a needle and thread with a heavy knot at the bottom, use a long
running stitch with medium stitches, sew near the folded edge of the
circle. Do not cut threat at the end. 
Gently pull on the thread ends to gather the fabric circle, to make a 2 ½” circle.
Now
that the Yo-Yo hat is made, position it on your quilt top where it
should go. Then slide the hair template under the hat. With an
erasable marking tool trace around the hat and the hair template. This
will get you an idea to where you will sew the Zig Zag Stitches for the
hair. 
Remove the hat and hair template and set aside.
Note before you begin the Zig Zag Stitches, I suggest with a 
separate
small piece of fabric sew a line of stitches at varies widths and
lengths to find the right size. I use a 3.0 width and a 2.5 length. 
This
will vary on different sewing machines. Also suggest using the hair
diagrams in the pattern instructions. Start with a thin layer of Zig
Zag stitches all around the trace template area, in straight lines.
Begin and end each of the stitches like you did in machine applique by
tucking the ends underneath under a few stitches. 
Once
you have a thin layer of Zig Zag Stitches, you can go back and fill in
bare spots with more stitches that are different width and lengths if
you want. In my project I used a different thread color to add some
highlights to the hair. I used a Brown-Black Rainbow Thread by
Superior. I suggest, as you finish, lay the hat on the hair to make
sure it is to your liking. 
Once you are done with the hair, press the quilt top to make sure there is no puckering.
Next, place the hat in its correct location and sew a blanket stitch all around the hat to complete the girl. 
Now
time for the borders. Press once again to make sure everything is
lying flat. Trim the Background to a 16 ½” x 17” rectangle.
Assemble
the 3 borders, following the directions with the top and bottom first
and the right and left sides. Once your borders are on, will finish be
adding the Snowflakes and dots following the Pattern Diagram. Fuse and
sew them on with blanket stitches. 
After they are all sewn on then press again to make sure no wrinkles and finish the Quilt as desired.
Other Blogs in this Series:
"Let It Snow Man!!" Pattern Tips – Preparing
"Let It Snow Man!!" Pattern Tips – Fusing Webbing
"Let It Snow Man!!" Pattern Tips – Pattern Pieces and Background
“Let It Snow Man!!” Pattern Tips – Machine Applique
“Let It Snow Man!!” Pattern Tips – Finishing
Tina
The
last couple days I have been showing you how to make the Quilting
Affection “Let It Snow Man!!” Applique pattern. So far we have
discussed Preparing to make the pattern, Fusible webbing and Piece
Placement and Background. Now we are to the point we start the Machine
Applique around all the pieces.
Note
before you start Machine Applique on any project practice on a practice
piece of fabric before working on you main project. Also keep a piece
of paper or notepad nearby to write down any setting you use so you have
them for future reference.
Now
the pieces are fused to the fabric we will be using a blanket stitch
around the stitches. I suggest we gathering a few tools to have close
by: First, Self-threading Needles and pin cushion, scissors, and Thread
and bobbins. I love Superior Thread, so when I’m appliqueing I use a
#40 to #50 wt. threads, like Masterpiece and King tut. But you can use
Aurifill or your favorite brand but just make sure it is a #40wt to #50
wt. thread. When selecting your threads also try to match the 
fabric as much as possible to make sure the thread blends into the fabric. You really don’t want your stitches to stand out.
I
also recommend cleaning your machine before starting. Also starting
with a fresh 75/11 Microtex or 80/12 needles for this project, they work
well with these weight sizes.
Now we are ready to start, I
would find your blanket stitch on your machine. If you not sure where
it is on your machine I would refer to your owner’s manual. After you
have found your blanket stitch, I would recommend using a 2.0 width and
2.0 Length only on the larger open areas like the Shirt, Snowman body.
For your tight areas I would adjust to a 1.5 width and 15 length and
sometimes you will have to drop to a 1.0 width.
I start with one color and do all the areas with that color before moving on to the next color area.
When
you’re ready to sew and have picked an area to start. Place your needle
just outside the fused area and make sure your needle is lined up next
to it and touching. Pull your bobbin thread and then put your needle
down. 
Make
a couple of small stitches and look to see if you need to adjust the
width and length you will be using in that area. Then continue sewing
until you get to the end of that piece (Don’t clip any threads if you
have an auto thread cutter). Bring the need up and move the fabric to
the side clipping the bottom and top thread about 2” away from the last
stitch. Now with your thread clipped one on the bottom and one on the
top. You
will now need to get your self-threading needle or our favorite sewing
needle, and bring the top thread through the last stitch hole with your
needle. Once you have the top and bottom thread at the bottom tie a
small knot and thread your needle again with both thread. Then tuck the
thread under about 3 to 4 stitches and clipping thread. 
For the beginning stitch for that area on top, you will have to bring
the top and bottom thread to the bottom, tie off and tuck the stitches
the same way as before. Repeat this for every applique area.
Once
all the blanket stitches are done on the girl and snowman, we will
start working on the hat and hair, which will be in tomorrow’s blog.
Then we will finish off with the borders and the snowflakes.
Other Blogs in this Series:
"Let It Snow Man!!" Pattern Tips – Preparing
"Let It Snow Man!!" Pattern Tips – Fusing Webbing
"Let It Snow Man!!" Pattern Tips – Pattern Pieces and Background
“Let It Snow Man!!” Pattern Tips – Machine Applique
Tina
Now
that we have the fusible web pattern pieces ready to go. We need to
prepare the background before we continue working with the pattern
pieces. Before you start, I suggest pressing your chosen background
fabric and if needed use a little starch, like Best Press Starch.
Once
your fabric is ready, cut a piece of the background about 18 ½” x 18
½”, a little bigger than the directions say, this will help with and
shrinkage in the fabric. Next, after you cut the 18 ½” x 18 ½” take
your piece of background fabric back to the ironing board. Press and
starch heavy to 
make
the background stiff (but don’t go too stiff, you want to keep the
fabric moveable and light weight). Once you are done, then cut your
fabric to a straight 18”x18” square.
Leaving
the 18” x 18” square on the cutting board, take your favorite marking
tool and lightly mark 16 ½” x 17” rectangle on the backing. You will
center your pattern pieces in the center of this rectangle. 
Now,
this is where the quilter Padded Quilt Board comes in handy. Center
your backing on this board and using a straight pin, pin your backing to
the board and set aside. Time to get your pattern pieces on the
fabric.
Lay
out all you pattern pieces and fabrics you will be using for the
snowman, snowbank and girl. Separate out the pattern pieces on the
fabrics you have chosen to use for each piece. Like I have done.
Now
that the pieces and fabric is ready to go, time to fuse all the pieces
to the fabrics. Press the fabric before you start pressing the fusible
webbing pieces to the fabrics. Remember press the fabrics to the
reverse or back side of the fabric. Following you manufactures
instructions of the fusible webbing, press the pieces to the fabric. 
Let
the fabric cool a little bit and then check to make sure that the
webbing is sticking to the fabric, if not press again. Once you have
the pieces on the fabric to your liking, cut them out following the
pattern lines. Do this to all your colors and pieces. If fraying
starts with any of the pieces especially small ones you may want to use a
little “Dritz Fray-Check” around the pattern pieces.
Once you have all your pieces on the fabric and cut out to their shapes. Then the fun begins with the placement of the pieces. 
You will need the Applique Placement Number in the instructions and the full size pattern diagram to help with this step.
Starting
with pattern piece #1, position the piece on the background fabric
according to the Pattern Diagram. Remember to remove the paper backing
if needed (this depends on the fusible webbing you are using). Then continue following the numbers one at a time. I recommend leaving the hat, hat flower, hair template and snowflakes off for now. Just placing the main parts. Note: long handle tweezers can be a big help when placing and arraigning the pattern pieces.
Also note the following when positioning the pieces:
- Snowman Arms and Ear Muff band are positioned under the snowman before fusing
- The right mitten is over the carrot and left is under the carrot before fusing
If
need, place straight pins to hold the pieces in place until you are
ready to fuse them permanently. Once you have the placement to your
liking, you can then fuse the pieces according to manufactures
instructions.
Tomorrow, I will start to show you how to do some of the Machine Applique.
Other Blogs in this Series:
"Let It Snow Man!!" Pattern Tips – Preparing
"Let It Snow Man!!" Pattern Tips – Fusing Webbing
"Let It Snow Man!!" Pattern Tips – Pattern Pieces and Background
Live, Inspire and Create,
Tina
Today,
I want to work on the next step of making the patterns. The “let It
Snow Man” Pattern uses a raw edge applique with Fusible webbing. Diana
likes to uses Lite Steam-A-Seam 2 Double-Stick Fusible Web
with her applique patterns. The Lite Steam-A-Seam 2 Double-Stick
Fusible Web product is a sheet of webbed glue sandwiched between two
sheets of non-stick paper.
I
like two different kinds of fusible webbing. The First one is called
Soft Fuse, which is very light weight and easy to use, can be found at
your favorite quilt store. Soft Fuse,
is a great product, but it does not have the double stickiness like
Lite Steam-A-Seam 2 Double-Stick Fusible Web or my other favorite
fusible webbing. The other fusible webbing I like to use for applique
is made by Floriani called "Appli-Kay Wonder". After you peel off the
paper after you press to piece to the fabric you will have a tacky
fusible side to lay on your fabric and hold the piece to the fabric,
plus you can move the pieces to the over and over again, until you press
it fully to the fabric with your iron. The only thing I don't like
about the Floriani "Appli-Kay Wonder” it is a little harder to get and
little more expensive, but well worth it. 
These
are just recommendation, please feel free to use your favorite brand
fusible webbing and make sure you follow the manufactures
recommendations.
Once
you have got your favorite webbing, it is time to transferring you
pattern pieces to it using the light box technique. If you do not have a
light table you can make a make shift light table Using a window, or
glass table with a lamp.
Place
the pattern pieces facing down and trace them on the paper side of the
fusible webbing. Having the pattern pieces facing down will make sure
that the pattern pieces are reversed on the fusible webbing. Tracing the
pattern shapes, sewing lines and placement numbers, leaving about ¼”
around each piece. Once the pattern are all traced you will need to
carefully cut the pieces leaving the ¼” around pattern pieces.
Note
if you want to do the 5” Yo-Yo Hat and the Zig-Zag hair you will not
have to make the fusible webbing templates, you will just have to make
templates out of pieces of paper. There is an optional hair template
and 2 ½” hat circle templates how prefer a different look.
Tomorrow, we will go through the preparing the backing and placements.
For yesterdays, blog read it here.
Live, Inspire and Create,
Tina
I'm making the "Let It Snow Man!!" Pattern for a display in a local quilt store that has purchased
the pattern and requested that I teach a class on it at the end of
October. I decide as I make this quilt, to show you some of the tips
and techniques I do.
In
this week’s blogs I will talk about the preparing, fusible webbing, the
backing and pieces, machine applique, the hair and hat placement and
the finishing of the top.
This
pattern is written with the beginner quilter in mind. Diana Dillard
the patterns creator tried to make certain that the pattern instructions
were complete and easy-to-understand. She even include a special
"Skill Builder" Section with additional techniques tips to help you
along the way.
When
you take the pattern out of the packaging you will notice that we have
include the pattern pieces templates and pattern diagram pages. The
pattern Diagram will need to be assembled to make a full size pattern. To assemble the full size pattern you will need to have 
a
rotary cutter or scissors, straight edge, and tape. Make sure you look
at pages instructions and page numbers very carefully. Cut along the dotted Lines where labeled and tape where it is labeled “Place LIS-PD-P_ and Tape Here".
As with any new project make sure you read through all the instructions carefully and thoroughly.
Now
finding the right fabric that coordinates is always fun and frustrating
at the same time. You want fabrics to blend and coordinate together.
Have Fun with this, it is like dressing up a paper doll. So many
possibilities on making these patterns.
You
may want have some additional tools with this pattern. I suggest
getting a pair of long handled tweezers, these can help you with the
pieces placement. Also suggest getting a quilters padded Quilt Board,
this will help in the placing and moving of your patterns pieces around.
You may want to have a rotary cutter, rulers, measuring tape, straight
pins, starch, pressing sheet and marking pencil or pens ready for you.
Tomorrow, I will be talking about transferring the pattern pieces to your Fusible webbing.
If you would like to buy this pattern and any of others in the collection, please click here.
Live, Inspire and Create,
Tina
If you would like subscribe to Quilting Affection Blog click here
Let
me introduce you to the Second Pattern in the Precious Season
Collection. Falling Leaves is a darling wall hanging with a little girl
with dancing leaves and flying braid with the wind as she hangs
seasonal elements outside. This
pattern is an easy raw-edge applique pattern made with double sided web
on a muslin foundation. This project is fun to make. Like the "Let It Snow Man!!" the pattern is loaded with instructions 
The
pattern is loaded with detailed instructions, full size diagrams and
pattern pieces. The quilt hanging finishes at 24" x 25". The pattern
retails for $12.00 each.To buy both patterns click here!
We hope you enjoy these them as much as we as we do. If you do make
one of these cute adorable girls please email us a picture so I can put
it in our gallery.The
last two in the Precious Season Collection will be release around the
first week in September. So keep coming back for updated information
and sign up for our Newsletter to get more information on the patterns.Love, Inspire and Create,
Tina
Quilting
Affection would like to you to see our first Pattern in a set of 4 that
is being introduced to the public today. The collection will be called
Precious Season's. Precious Seasons, brings together the seasons in a
little girls life. Picking Flowers, Building a Snowman, Hanging Outdoor
Decorations, and Playing in the Rain using raw edge applique
techniques. 
Starting
Today, you can buy the First Two Patterns, "Let It Snow Man!!" and
"Falling Leaves". The First of September the next two patterns will be
available for purchase.The
patterns were created by my dear and talented Mother-In Law Diana
Dillard. We have worked together over the last couple of years to
putting them together.
"Let
it Snow Man!!" is an adorable little girl and her snowman. You can
have fun with your favorite winter fabric collection or dig into your
stash. The pattern uses raw-edge fusible webbing to complete this
charming quilted hanging. It is quick and easy, so even a beginner will
have no problem getting this pattern done. The
pattern is loaded with detailed instructions, full size diagrams and
pattern pieces. The quilt hanging finishes at 25" x 25". The pattern
retails for $12.00 each.To get your pattern order here.
We hope you enjoy these patterns as much as we as we do. If you do
make one of these cute adorable girls please email us a picture so I can
put it in our gallery.
Tomorrow, I will show off Falling Leaves, the second pattern to be release in the collection.
Love, Inspire and Create,
Tina
The
block starts with making two different looking sets of flying geese.
And then making half square triangles for preparing for the building of
the block.
Once all the flying geese are made you then sew them together to make them into one unit.
The half square triangles are then combined with 2 1/2" squares to make
To
assemble the unit into one block you lay the point units on the four
corners and the flying geese in between the point units. The very
center is a 4 1/2" square.
Once
finished the block looks like the block above. Two more blocks and
then it will be time to work on making the quilt top. I cant wait to
see the final product.