We can hardly believe it’s already time for another meeting! This month we thought we’d try out a clever method of hand applique. It’s not quite needle-turned, but is easier and looks just as nicely finished.
We’ll make a little orange peel block like the one in the picture. If you catch the bug maybe you’d like to make a lot more and turn them into a quilt. Or just sew a back on and turn it into a pincushion. Either way, you’ll love it!
We’ll supply the ‘orange peels’, but it would be great if you could bring along the following:
- A square of light or neutral coloured fabric (a light print such as a dot, stripe or text is fine too) – it should be at least 6 inches square (to be trimmed back later).
(On the square, lightly mark with a pencil a 4.5″ square (you don’t need to mark all four sides of the square, just where the corners are). Then mark a little cross in the centre where the two diagonals from corner to corner meet. These marks will be the guides for placing the orange peels.)
- Thread – a neutral colour is best.
- Needles – we recommend size 9 or 10 applique needles (these are also known as straw needles) – available at Addicted to Fabric for around $5 a packet (see picture below – don’t worry if you don’t have any or don’t have time to find some, we’ll have some spare). By the way, these needles are also perfect for English paper piecing!
- A gluestick – a small kid’s gluestick is fine.
- Sharp small scissors for trimming the orange peels.
- Pins – short ones are better.
Looking forward to seeing you all on Thursday at 7.30 at the Civic Library. Don’t forget to bring some show and tell, and your raffle quilt blocks!
Canberra Modern Quilt Guild 