This month’s challenge for Island Batik Ambassadors is “Adventurous Applique with Aurifil Thread”. We each had a specific new fabric collection to use and were to make a lap size or larger quilt using the edge coloring applique technique by Fourth and Sixth Designs - Barbara Persing. It is a new to me technique and I had fun experimenting with it. Here is an example of each lovely batik square I made using the technique and the matching thread that was provided by Aurifil
Rather than make a floral or other standard applique design, I chose to use it as a substitute for piecing. I decided to make another Rolling Stone quilt but instead of piecing the 4 square in a square corner blocks (the standard construction method) I used the edge coloring applique to place the on point square onto a background square.
The method is well explained on the Aurifil Blog by Barbara and also on her Youtube videos. But basically, one uses washable glue to baste applique pieces (along their edges) to a background fabric that is stabilized with tear away stabilizer. Then you use 40 weight Aurifil thread that matches the applique piece and use a straight stitch and reverse straight stitch to "color" along the glued edges. You stitch a bit then reverse, forward, reverse, repeat. No need to be perfect, in fact, messy works fine! It is a very freeing technique and I can't wait to work with it some more.
I love the new Flora Nova Collection and the coordinating Aurifil Thread is pretty yummy too.
I chose the traditional Rolling Stone for this project. It is a perfect showcase for these beautiful fabrics.
The inspiration quilt made in Pennsylvania in 1852! And here is my new updated version
Needle: Schmetz Quilting NeedlesPieced and (soon to be) quilted by Sandra Starley
***Fabrics provided by Island Batik, batting by Hobbs, thread by Aurifil, and needles by Schmetz and Smart Iron by Oliso *****
It is SEW nice when your iron matches your fabric
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