hand applique

Hand appliquers and quilters everywhere often question me about which threads I use for hand applique.  My  prefered choice is the YLI silk thread.  They are 100% pure filament silk, the very highest quality silk thread in the world. 

As many of you know I prefer to work with natural fibers throughout my quilt.  This includes fabrics for the top and backing, batting and threads for piecing, applique and quilting.  I carry the 100wt. silk thread in my quilt shop in a great variety of colors.  When I open my silk thread collection to select a color its like opening a box of candy.  The colors are so vibrant and rich. Remember to use only one strand of thread when selecting one to match the applique piece.  You match the piece and not the background color. Lie  one strand across the fabric to be appliqued and it should be nearly invisible.

  Use this thread with a straw needle to make nearly invisible needle-turn applique stitches.  In  my hand applique booklet,  I explain the stitch, step-by-step.The straw needle I prefer to use is very thin, with quite a small eye, but since the 100wt silk is so fine its really easy to thread the needle.  The long length of the straw needle gives me leverage as I turn the needle under the applique and provides complete control of where the point of the needle will exit.

For over three years I have worked on this quilt.  It's finally ready to go to a show.  The quilt was inspired by the beautiful pink fabric I bought on a trip to the first year of the Chicago Quilt Show.  I was looking for an idea to incorporate my love of applique and the houses became the perfect subject.  I selected four houses of my dreams, including a barn.  I then proceded to applique the details and embellsih them with embroidered flowers and windows.  I created areas throughout to bring more texture and interest by adding trapunto and interesting quilting designs.

In response to the many requests for a booklet or pamphlet on Hand Quilting Techniques, I just finished my first instructional booklet!!!!  IIt's been a long time in the making. It will be the first in a series of instructions to complete my Beginners Project.  In the booklet I demonstrate, step-by-step, with color pictures the needle-turn applique stitch.  Tools and techniques are covered as well as lots of hints and tips.  I packed in as much information as I could.  It follows what I teach in my Hand Quilting Class. For those of you who aren't in my area you can now follow along with the booklet!

It will be hot off the press this week! It should be available in Nancy Ellen Quilt's before the end of October.