Hi! It’s time for the last block in the 2019 BOM series. Next month, on December 15th, I will have instructions for finishing the block of the month top. You can actually finish your project any way you want….. you can even use each block as a mini quilt on it’s own if you like!
So here is block 11:
Find the pattern for the block here: 2019 BOM Block 11
Since you will be doing some wool applique stitching, I thought I would re-share a couple of stitching tutorials I shared earlier this year as a refresher. The video below is general wool applique stitching.
This next mini video is how I stitch points and inside corners. My method may not be how others do it, so I won’t say it’s the definitive way it should be done. It’s just how I do it. Hope it helps!
As with the other blocks in this BOM, I have a limited amount of wool only kits in my shop. When they’re gone, they’re gone!
Shop here for the kit: 2019 BOM Block 11 Kit
Now for some other wool applique tips and hacks. These are some tips that I talk about when I teach wool applique in the hopes of making everyone’s stitching experience the best it could be!
Tip#1
If wool is not pre-washed, wash the pieces in hot water and rinse in cold. Dry in a hot dryer. You can tell wool is not pre-washed if it frays easily and feels thin. It’s best when purchasing wool to ask the shop owner if it’s ready to use or needs pre-washing.
Tip#2
Good lighting helps with your stitching. I like a light with a magnifier on top so I can see the length and spacing of my stitching. It can be a desk top (like mine) or a floor lamp. Either one works great.
Tip #3
You can either affix the wool applique pieces to the background using fabric glue, like Roxanne’s Glue Baste-it, small appliqué pins or fuse the pieces to the background by ironing.
If you choose the latter, lay a towel on the ironing board, then lay your background with all the wool pieces in place on the towel. Then carefully, so you don’t move any of the appliqués, place a white towel over the project and spray water over the towel using a spray bottle. With a medium/high iron, press the towel to fuse the pieces on the project underneath. Make sure you are pressing and not moving the iron back and forth because that could move your pieces out of place. Periodically, carefully lift the upper towel and check your pieces to see if they are fusing to the background. The towel below the project will keep your wool from “flattening” out. The example below is just one applique piece, but you can use this method of fusing for an entire design.
So, that’s all for today. I hope the mini tutorials were helpful and the tips too! Leave me a comment on this post and be entered into the drawing for the Little Gripper handle for your ruler. That drawing is going to be on Monday, November 25th! **We have a winner! Congrats, Joanna Perry!**
Great tips…I fuse my wool pieces like you state in your #3 tip. No shifting on mine.
Great tips, thank you for the mini-tutorials.
Your tips are very helpful. I’ve been doing quite a bit of wool stitching. My fingers are starting to get sore. I tried out soft fuse, it’s expensive but so much easier to go thru with the needle vs steam a seam lite II. Thanks for the tips.
Love tutorials you always learn something new