Tag: applique

2025/12/08

Environment Canada tells us we’re experiencing an ‘atmospheric river’, which really means very windy with lots of rain; there’s a high stream advisory in place right now. I know after being out running errands earlier this morning that I’d much rather be inside, even tho it’s relatively warm – +8.9C. So….quilting time…or machine embroidery time…definitely not outdoors time!

Because scraps breed in the closets in this house, I seem to have a never ending supply with which to create scrappy community quilts. This latest one was inspired by a post in the Scrappy Girls Club Facebook group by Betty Buttega.

Most of the scraps that went into this one were my own, but a few came to me via the Guild. I prewash all my own fabrics, but it’s not always practical to wash gifted scraps. Usually, that’s OK, but NOT THIS TIME! I usually wash any quilts I make before they go out into the community and that’s for two reasons: 1. They have spray adhesive in them and I have no idea if the quilt is going to someone with allergies or sensitivities and it’s best the quilt is squeaky clean (altho I’ve never heard a quilt squeak lol). And 2. What if any of the fabrics bleed when washed? It’s better I find out than the recipient.

And so this time, that’s exactly what happened. That purple print (not my fabric!) bled. I even used colour catchers in the wash, but obviously not enough. So there it is, soaking in the bathtub in a mixture of hot water and Dawn dish soap. And yes, that really does the trick; I’ve had to do that once before. See the pale mauve water? I highly recommend Susie Quilts tutorial if you have this misfortune befall you.

In any case, here’s what the quilt looks like when it’s dry and no colour bleed and ready to go to someone in need in our community. Pieced on my little Husqvarna H/Class and custom ruler quilted by me on my Sweet Sixteen. It’s approximated 56″ x 72″.

And just to have a little fun, here’s a little machine embroidery ITH (in the hoop) 8″ x 8″ trivet I whipped up yesterday just for fun. It’s a free design from Jeanine Babich Designs, comes in two sizes, and can be found here: https://janinebabichdesigns.com/product/snowman-trivet/