Through the years, I’ve always wanted to hand applique. I know that I can but I think it’s just that I don’t take the time to do it. It would take lots and lots of practice to do good work and I think I’m just too impatient. Also, I like to start a project and be done .. maybe not always finish it but at least make some quick progress. I’ve taken applique classes from some of the best teachers and I just never do it.
I had not forgotten about buying these patterns but when I came across them recently, I had to laugh at myself.
There are 12 patterns. It’s from Ornamental Applique. They were at a quilt show . . probably in 2002 or 2003. They had this quilt in their booth and it was gorgeous. Whatever possessed me to buy all 12 patterns? Is there anyone out there who thinks there’s even a slim chance I’ll ever make even one of these blocks? ME! I think I will. I think I’ll make all 12 of them . . some day . . but not any time soon.
Denise :) says
Hahaha!! I’ve done this very same thing before! And like you, I wholeheartedly believe that *someday* I _will_ do it! 🙂
Linda Steller says
I have to make at least 1000 quilts before I die to use all the fabric, patterns, books, and magazines I have here. But, every time I start a new project, it seems I don’t have the right stuff for it, so I have to go out and buy something else! I think I seriously need to have my head examined. I do occasionally hand appliqué, but just small projects. I’ve become hooked on Sharon Schamber’s method of invisible machine appliqué and now teach it locally. It really looks hand done and is so much faster!
Pam in KC says
I’m right there with you on the applique. It’s so bad that when I bought Alphabet Quilts Letters for All Ages by Bea Oglesby, the shop owner asked if I knew the book was for applique! I drool over the appliqued quilts in shops then people stare at me like I’m crazy if they get close enough because I’m muttering under my breath “I don’t do applique. I don’t do applique…”
Debbie Rhodes says
I love applique quilts.. When I pick up a magazine or book it is always the applique quilt I ooh and awe over. but I agree they are usually a long term obligation and I have about 3 of them started. Along with red work embroidery I have a bed sized quilt start with that too.. I have no doubt Sharon Schambers method is great… but have never seen it.. I use Eleanor Burns method using fusible interfacing when I can.
Donna F says
I love applique! I think it adds so much to a quilt.
Nolene says
I personally hope you never have time to get them made. It means you are so busy with life you don’t have time to do them. LOL I started doing hand work when for a number of reasons, I started spending A LOT of time at hospitals and dr offices with family members. After a while, I just got hooked on it because I can always pick it up when I have a few minutes.
shirley bruner says
I just finished a year long hand applique project…My Tweets. It was an online BOM. And i have the parts cut out for the next project….40 different animals. That might take a year, too. And i am on the 3 block of 12 Santas….all applique. I just got into hand applique in the last year or so and find that i DO like it. It’s my evening’s entertainment some nights. you could just decide to do one block….and say, just work on it on Sunday evenings. you’ll be surprised how quickly it goes. have fun
Sandy says
Patterns in quilt show booths are always so tempting. I’ve come home with several—all still unopened after all these years. I’m not much for doing appliqué, but I admired other people’s work. I think I’d be quickly bored with doing the 12 patterns you bought because they’re so old-fashioned and blue! I’d have to change up the colors so each flower block would be different. I think I’ll stick to piecing!
Cheryl in Iowa says
English Paper Piecing is my someday project…unfortunately I have purchased a bunch of stuff and fear I will never finish any part of it! I love to machine applique but I’d rather piece. Again…someday.
Diana in RR Texas says
I enjoy the stitching, but not the preparation before hand. When we moved to TX I took a class from Darlene Christopherson. I do have a “Perfect Union “quilt hanging on my wall-all hand pieced!
Tina Rathbone says
Hi Judy!
I just have to say that I LOVE the colors in today’s Design Wall photo of yours!
Can’t wait to see it finished …
Susan Torrens says
I’ve learned over the years to never say “Never!”
Many projects and techniques that I said I’d never do have been accomplished over the past few years. As time goes by, and life changes, things that seemed impossible can become doable!
Soscrappy says
Those blocks would look amazing in some bright Kaffe Fasset fabrics. We all have someday projects — you will be well prepared when someday comes.
Kathy Wilson says
Hmmm. And this is why I’m eliminating the appliqué blocks from the Christmas Town Sampler and replacing with them with more of your pieced blocks!
Ranch Wife says
You’ve already taken the first step with the pretty appliqued heart you stitched a wile back! When ‘someday’ arrives, you will be all set to jump in. I want to learn to applique too – think that’ll be a goal for 2013. I’ve been collecting patterns too! 🙂
Ruth Anne shorter says
It is truly beautiful! I do hand appliqué and truly love it. This pattern is or at least looks like it may be intermediate level. If, you could just challenge yourself to just one block, you would see it takes about a week stitching only at nights to do one block. Then you get real excited! You will and can do this!
Kathy O in GA says
Oh Judy – aren’t Jeni’s quilts gorgeous? I hope you do at least make one block and frame it, and if you ever don’t want those patterns you can will them to me!
katie says
I think you have lots of patients. You knit socks and that is hand work, so hand applique is right up there.. you patiently tend to the chickens- cows- garden and Vince. So just start and go for it…
rosa says
I have to make thousands of quilts to use all the patterns and magazines I had buy and collected.Sometimes I sew with my thought and my to do list is endless.There are so many patterns that I`d love to make after a quilt show.
Hope you make one.
Nann says
Ah, the “tyranny of the urgent.” You’re at an event and you see that pattern (or that fabric, or that CD, or that figurine) and you just know that if you don’t buy it NOW you will regret it later — or so you think. Very often if you DO buy it now you end up regretting it later, as in, “Why in the world did I buy this?” However, when I go to a crafts fair or a quilt show with the intention of cruising the exhibits from one end to the other, looking first and then going back to purchase — I get distracted and cross the aisle (and continue in the wrong direction) or go to an end-cap booth, make a turn,and skip an aisle. Then I forget at which booth I saw whatever it was that was so appealing or such a bargain. Or I run out of time.
I guess I’m trying to justify why you should indeed buy it when you see it!