Gabriella Goodness and her Angelic friends.

Gabriella Goodness - block No 5, Wilomena in the wandering dew

Wilomena is a wistful Angel. She wends her way into your heart by just 'being there'in your garden.

She is very much aware that the wandering dew is very difficult to contain in a garden setting and she has taken it upon herself to weave it into a wonderful wreath of outstanding beauty.

Wilomena is a product  of the 60's and still likes to wear the layered look. She finds most of her interesting outfits at the 'Op Shop' and takes a lot of care with recycling.

Requirements:-

1 piece of fabric, 16" X 16" which will be used for the background.

1/2 a yard of fusible web.

Fabrics for her garments.

Fabric for the berries or you can cut flowers for fabric to applique on the wreath.

Several fat 1/4's of green for the leaves. Consider the rest of the quilt and take note whether the leaf color matches the rest of the greenery.

                         Flowers and other leaves cut from patterned fabric.

Download Sineo20312010908260

Download Sineo20312010908270

Download IMG

Method:-

You will need to reverse the pattern,I've actually reversed the leaves in one of the PDF's,  but Wilomena needs to be reversed.

Trace the Applique pattern onto fusible web..

Iron the traced pattern onto the back of the fabric you have chosen for the Applique.

Once you have cut out all the applique pieces, place an applique mat...(teflon) over the pattern and you should be able to see the  pattern through the mat. (like tracing paper) Following the pattern, peel the backing paer off the pieces and place thm on tip of the mat to match the pattern....

The iron in place

You should have an assembled applique piece and be able to place it on the block.

I stitched the applique with a small satin stitch. 

I set the machine on Zig Zag. Stitch width 1.5, Stitch Length .35

Settings for Blanket stitch

Stitch width 2.5
Stitch length 2.5

Settings for Invisible Stitch

Using smoke monofilament thread.
Stitch width 1.5. Length 1.0

Threads.
50 weight cotton, top and bobbin.

Needle.
sharp 70/10

 Once all the applique has been completed.

Use the given pattern as your guide and with the black pigma pen draw the facial features and definitions in her pinny and shoe laces....etc.

Using a grey pigment ink pen, highlight the shades in the folds of Wilomena's garments and stem stitch the fine lines on the leaves....

 

Gabriella Goodness... - block No 4. There's a magnolia in my garden.

I love Magnolia trees... I've tried to grow three of them and they never survived.... so I put two of them into my quilt.

You need to make two of these blocks for the quilt.

The requirements given in the list below are for one block only.

Requirements:-

12" X13" piece of light fabric for the background.

1 fat 1/4 Border patch color..... this is the rectangle pieces around the light main square.

1 fat 1/4 Border patch color No 2.

18" X 17" piece of brown fabric for the tree trunk.

2 fat 1/4's different green for the leaves.

Small piece of fabric for the magnolia flower.

iron on stabilizer to fit over the applique area.

1/2 yard fusible web.

In selecting the fabric, consider the rest of the quilt and take note whether the leaf color matches the other foliage in the quilt.

Method:-

From the border patch fabrics, cut a strip 4 1/2" wide across the with of the fabric.

Cut eight 4  1/2" X 2  7/8" patches of each color.

From the light fabric, cut a rectangle 7 3/4" X 11  7/8"

refer to the PDF instructions for placement.  Download IMG_0002

Download IMG

Trace the Applique pattern onto fusible web..

tree, leaves and magnolia flowers.

Iron the traced pattern onto the back of the fabric you have chosen for the tree, leaves and flowers.

You will need to make a reversed one for the second block.

You need to assemble the tree on the block after you have completed the entire quilt top....

Why?

Well the tree flows out into the quilt and it looks a lot better. Have a look at the image above.... it flows out into the border... giving it another dimension....

When the quilt top is completed... you can then continue with the pattern.

I stitched the applique with a small satin stitch. 

I set the machine on Zig Zag. Stitch width 1.5, Stitch Length .35

Settings for Blanket stitch

Stitch width 2.5
Stitch length 2.5

Settings for Invisible Stitch

Using smoke monofilament thread.
Stitch width 1.5. Length 1.0

Threads.
50 weight cotton, top and bobbin.

Needle.
sharp 70/10

BLOCK NO 3, - "HARRIET IN THE HEDGEROW"

Harriet in the Hedgerow.

This months block is all in PDF, just click on the URL below to download it.

Download IMG_0005

Gabriella Goodness and her Angelic friends. FREE BOM

Block No 2. The Aggies block.

Download IMG.pdf (1382.0K)

This pattern is copyright to Pam Holland. It may be produced for private use only.

I love Agapanthus and they signify “summer” to the Australian and New Zealand public.
I was in Queensland on a conference,  It must have been 12 years ago….
As I walked out of the venue, the view in front of me was just as I’ve depicted in the quilt.
A picket fence and framed by Agapanthus.

I think this would look wonderful as an embroidery...

Requirements.:-

PLEASE DON’T PRE-WASH YOUR FABRIC.

¼ yard   Fabric for the base of the block.
¼ yard   Fabric for the background (the sky)
¼ yard   Fabric for the fence.
Small amount  Fusible web.
Small amount   Fabric for the leaves and flower heads  of the aggies.
¼ yard stabilizer, thin pelon or something similar.
A Teflon applique mat.
Threads to match the fabrics you have chosen.
Sharp scissors.
A fine black pigment ink pen.
A green, blue, brown pigment ink pen.

You do need to reverse the pattern to trace onto the fusible web.

The Method for making this quilt is machine applique.

If you wish to hand applique, you will need to allow a seam allowance around the applique pieces.

Cut a strip 19” X 2 ½” from the block base fabric.
Cut a strip 19” X 4 ½” from the sky fabric.
Sew the two pieces together with a ¼” seam.

Trace the patterns onto the fusible web. Remember to reverse the pattern before you trace it. - Use a light box or trace against the window.

OK, SO I FORGOT TO REVERSE THE PATTERN FOR THIS ONE... NEVER MIND, IT DOESN'T MATTER ON THIS BLOCK. I DID ON THE REAL QUILT.

4 sets of agapanthus,
2 large fence posts
15 small  fence posts - or if you wish, you can trace the fence as a while piece. I prefer to do it like that.
2 ¼” strips, 16” long for the horizontal planks of the fence.
4 sets of aggy leaves and stems.
Continue in this manner until all the applique pieces have been traced.
Iron the traced pattern onto the fabric you have selected.

Normally we iron the stabilizer to the back of the block, but with this block you need to trace the gate onto the fabric before you stabilize it.

Cut out the appliqué pieces with a smooth stoke of the scissors.

Use a lightbox and when you’ve cut out all the pieces assemble them on the background.
press.
Then you can position and illustrate the gate. It looks difficult, but if you follow the illustration and fill in with small dots.. you will have a remarkable piece.
You can embroider or illustrate the extra pieces on the aggy flower.

This block I illustrated with Derwent Inktense pencils. It’s pigment ink in a pencil !!!!

Now this is why I asked you not to wash your fabric… the sizing assists the ink to set permanently…
All done, now you can begin the applique.

These instructions are for machine applique.

You could choose several methods. Blanket Stitch or Satin stitch, or a combination of both.

I chose satin stitch.
I set the machine on Zig Zag. Stitch width 1.5, Stitch Length .35

Blanket

Stitch width 2.5
Stitch length 2.5

Invisible Stitch
Using smoke monofilament thread.
Stitch width 1.5. Length 1.0

Threads.
50 weight cotton, top and bobbin.

Needle.
sharp 70/10
  

Three pictures I worked on in the video.

The video of the illustration of Pamela is published.

click to download.

 

Pamela's blackbirds.

I've been adding blackbirds to my quilts for a long time... this is one of Pamela's birds.

This is a small quilt naive made from scraps and hand sewn... no cutter just scissors needle and thread.

Block No 1. Pamela the Keeper of Perfect pathways.

Download Pamela

18" X 18"

Pamela was a shearer’s cook in her former life.

She worked on sheep stations in the outback of Australia for many years and was renown for her generous lamb roasts and bread and butter puddings.

Along with her other friends Pamela has taken up residence in my garden and is affectionately known as  
“The keeper of Perfect pathways” She works hard at keeping the paths ‘neat’ and can be seen on some evenings chasing and scolding the ducks who scuff up the gravel. If there is a very stubborn duck, she picks it up and pops it into her basket. Muttering she walks off down the street on her sturdy legs, waddling a little bit like a duck herself. She gently puts  it back in the creek.

She also has a big problem with the blackbirds who have a wonderful time tap dancing on the bark chips with their spindly yellow legs   -  so if you can’t beat them join them  - she makes cute little bird houses to place in strategic places in the garden purely for the accommodation of the blackbirds…

As yet,  the birdhouses are unoccupied.
I do have faith that her birdhouse condo’s will one day house several families.

 

I was asked why this is called a Fu Fu quilt.... well it's quite different to an art quilt or a pieced quilt. My kids describe Fu Fu as fairies undies.... it's a fairies undies quilt. cute and comical.

Requirements.:-

PLEASE DON’T PRE-WASH YOUR FABRIC.

20” X 20” square of fabric for the garden paths.
20” X 20” square of Iron on Pellon or iron on cotton batting.
1 yard  Steam a seam lite fusible web.   
¼ yard fabric for the hedge
1 fat quarter of blue fabric for inside the hedge
A variety of fabrics for the applique piece “Pamela the keeper of Perfect Pathways”
10” square  of fabric for the foliage of the trees.

A teflon applique mat
Threads to match the applique pieces.
Sharp scissors
Mechanical pencil
.5 black pigment ink pen  (Zig pens from Hobby Lobby or Crafts  Direct)
A red, pine green. brown and blue Tsukineko pigment ink pen.
A light box.

I designed  this  pattern 10 years ago.
The fabric is a little dated.

I chose Mumms the Word leaf fabric for the hedge and small trees.
Another hint is to buy some  little ceramic pots made for embroideries. I have seen the in some quilt shops.
They look super.

The Method for making this quilt is machine applique.

If you wish to hand applique, you will need to allow a seam allowance around the applique pieces.

On the 20” square piece of fabric, draw an 18 ½” square with a mechanical pencil.

Iron the Pelham (or another stabilizer) to the back of the 20” square. This gives you a firm base for machine applique.

Trace the four hedge patterns onto the fusible web. Cut them out with about ¼” to spare and iron the glue side of the fusible pattern to the back of the hedge fabric.

Do the same with the four inserts in the hedge.

Continue in the manner until all the applique pieces have been traced.
You will need to reverse the applique pattern of Pamela. Just place it on the light-box and reverse it.

Cut around the applique pieces with a smooth stroke of the scissors, no crumbly bits on the edge please.

Once you have cut out all the applique pieces, take the paper pattern to the ironing board and pin it in place. Place the appliqué mat over the paper pattern and you should be able to the image through the mat. (like tracing paper. Pin the mat to the ironing board too.

Peel the backing paper off the applique pieces and place them on the mat to match the pattern. With Steam a seam lite, it’s tacky and will remain in place until you iron it. For instance, her feet go down first. Iron them in place, next her wings… iron in place and continue building her until the entire piece is completed.
Then just peel her off the mat and the glue will still be on the fabric… magic.!!!!

Before you add her to your block, you will need to draw in her facial features, the stripes on the legs and the laces. Use the .5 black pen and you can do that when she’s still on the mat.

Iron the hedge patterns, onto the fusible web. Cut out accurately, Leave the paper on the back of the appliqué piece and illustrate the leaves by placing the fabric over the pattern on the light box.
Now this is why I asked you not to wash your fabric… the sizing assists the ink to set permanently…
All done, now you can begin the applique.

These instructions are for machine applique.
You could choose several methods. Blanket Stitch or Satin stitch, or a combination of both.

I chose satin stitch.
I set the machine on Zig Zag. Stitch width 1.5, Stitch Length .35

Blanket
Stitch width 2.5

Stitch length 2.5

Invisible Stitch
Using smoke mono-filament thread. 

Stitch width 1.5. Length 1.0

Threads.
50 weight cotton, top and bobbin.

Needle.
sharp 70/10

This photo gives you an idea of how the block is constructed...I've not added the illustration because I will go through each stage with you during the coming weeks.

The block directly under Pamela, is the next block.... The aggies.