A few weeks ago I received a surprise package in the mail from the Fat Quarter Shop filled with a rainbow of the most beautiful Aurifil 80wt threads on wooden spools. Aurifil 80wt thread is 100% cotton thread. It is much finer/thinner than 50wt thread (the higher the number the finer the thread), and it is great for English Paper Piecing, machine applique, and in particular hand applique.
My experience with applique is limited to machine applique (my very first - and second - quilt were both machine applique quilts). I have however no previous experience with hand applique and after a brief moment of panic I accepted the challenge that these threads represented. I think the best way to learn a new skill is to tackle the task with confidence. So why not tick another quilt off my quilt bucket list?
The Aerial Grove Quilt is a more recent addition to my quilt bucket list. It is a design from the book Savor Each Stitch: Studio Quilting with Mindful Design by Carolyn Friedlander.
The Aerial Grove Quilt features a panel of organic hand cut squares with rounded corners that are first thread basted and then hand appliqued onto a background fabric. I love everything about this quilt; especially the opportunity for color play and the free form look of the "circles". No two patches are the same with the result being a free form and organic look. Of course this also is a challenge for me.
My work is usually exact and structured and giving up control and the self imposed expectation of a precise outcome was not easy. After several frustrating failed attempts at achieving the perfect rounded corners I decided that the best way to move forward was to confiscate my seam ripper. No more false starts, just keep going. Once I embraced the perfectly imperfect shapes there was no looking back and I was indeed able to savor each slow stitch.
As with any new skill this project took considerable time and all of my concentration. If I have made it look like that I whipped this panel up overnight that would be a misrepresentation. I spent 5 whole days working on the five rows of applique squares, and I loved working with these threads!
Panel background fabrics from left to right:
- Euclid Tangerine by Carolyn Friedlander (cotton/linen blend)
- Text fabric: Neighborhood by Alyson Beaton for Windham Fabrics
- Robert Kaufman Kona Cotton in Bone
- Robert Kaufman Kona Cotton in White
- Euclid Natural by Carolyn Friedlander (cotton/linen blend)
With thanks to the Fat Quarter Shop for this opportunity and for entrusting me with this bounty of beautiful threads! This may be my first applique project but I know it is not my last.
GIVEAWAY DETAILS
Kimberly and the team at the Fat Quarter Shop are giving away a complete set of 36 spools of Aurifil 80wt thread to one lucky RPQ reader. Valued at over $US100.00!
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| Aurifil 80wt thread - image by The Fat Quarter Shop and used with permission. |
To be in the draw all you need to do is leave a comment. Email me if you are not able to leave a comment (redpepperquilts at gmail dot com) and I will leave a comment on your behalf. International readers are welcome to enter. Only one entry per person/email address.
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| Click on any image for a larger view. |
A winner will be drawn and announced by edit to this post at 8pm on Friday 14 October 2016 (Australia EDT). The winner will be contacted by email.
The winner of the Aurifil 80wt threads is:
Thank you for all of your entries.
ENTRY HAS NOW CLOSED
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The winner of the Aurifil 80wt threads is:
Shannon has been contacted by email.
With thanks to the Fat Quarter Shop for such a generous giveaway!
Good luck everyone.
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COPYRIGHT AND DISCLOSURE: Aurifil threads supplied by the Fat Quarter Shop. I am not paid for clicks or by commission from this sponsor or any other sponsor. Do not copy or use any content or photos from my blog without my written permission. This is original content from www.redpepperquilts.com.
