Tuesday's Tile - A Summer Project?

For this week's project, I started with pink stones fused unto a varied pink background. I think I had my little grand-daughter in mind as her favorite color is "PEEnk".

After fusing came the question, where do I go now? Do we always have a plan in mind before we start? I think not.

Since I had been thinking of utilizing my machine stitches more, that option came to mind. But I just couldn't see how it would be a good choice to try fighting with turning corners with stitches that would be so much easier done in a straight line.

Using hand stitches seemed a much better option. I love hand work as it is relaxing and portable. I reached into my box of embroidery threads and came out with more pink (pink floss this time) and my favorite stitch manual.

Stitching through the fused stones is not a problem, since I used Steam-A-Seam Lite as the fusible. I backed my fabric with a layer of batting and it provided enough body that I don't have to use an embroidery hoop.

As you can see, I am on my way.  This is the feather stitch.

A closed feather stitch.

The chevron stitch.

A button hole stitch.

 You could say done backward, usually the closed line is on the exterior of the fabric.

And the open chain stitch.

I can see a relaxing summer project here as I begin to create a sampler of stitches. You see, it is just too much fun to hurry.  

I hope you will come back and see my progress.

Tuesday's Tiles

Quilter's Tile - Ghosts of Koi
8" x 8"
©2011 Sharon V. Rotz

One bright and sunny day, the happy little quilter decided to brighten up her garden with a soothing and serene pond full of colorful, orange and white koi. The little quilter dug and dug and filled her pond with clear, clean water. Cheerfully, she admired her beautiful koi as she placed them in the water. How she loved their bright, intense orange color.

But, as the fish splashed into the water, their brilliant color began to bleed. Alas, they were not colorfast. The sad little quilter was left with nothing but ghosts of koi.


Moral of story: Always test your koi before adding them to your pond.




Today's Tile was made using Jacquard's Dye-na-Flow and Lumiere paints. The orange Dye-na-Flow was marbled into the background. The metallic olive Lumiere was painted on with a round brush. The fish were drawn on with Zig Textile markers. The borders were fused on with Lite Steam-a-Seam. The free-motion quilting was done with a rich rust Madeira rayon thread.


I enjoyed each step along the way in this project, exploring and trying new things.

I tried a new way of finishing the quilt. (These steps were done before quilting.)

I pieced the back leaving a slit to turn the quilt. I then layered the backing, top and batting and stitched totally around the quilt.

I turned the quilt, only to find that the corners were not not firmly stitched and starting to pull apart. Oops!

As you can tell by my lack of concern, things like this often happen and I just carry on.

Plan 2:  I am now "rounding" the corners. I'm going to like this so much better now!! (Actually, I did.)

After turning the quilt, I hand stitched the opening closed. I then pressed the edges and machine quilted my quilter's tile.

I did like this finishing method and I would do it again.

Blast through a Sticking Situation

Spring Poplars

9" x 9"

Sharon V. Rotz

Applique is all about adding layer upon layer of fabric. Hand applique is lovely, traditional, very calming and portable. But it is not quick.

Some days ideas burst forth and I'm in a fury to get things done. Fused applique is my answer and I use it often.

Recently, I was asked what brand of fusible adhesive do I use? In my fusing past, I have tried fusibles only to find they "unfused" if I heated them a bit too long. I have had the sad problem of release paper that didn't release. I have had a fusible adhesive that "fused" to my machine needle leaving it a gummy mess.

Now, I only use Lite Steam-A-Seam and Lite Steam-A-Seam 2 and would recommend it. Not only is it easy to stitch through, I can heat and reheat it to add layers to my project. As they say "The bond is strong and permanent, yet leaves your fabric soft and supple, even with several layers of applique."

Fusible adhesive may not be showy, but you will love it when it hugs your fabric and keeps it secure.