Design Wall Monday--November 1, 2010

November already!  I guess that's as good a time as any to take a break from my regular projects and do some Christmas projects.  Last week, I started my pocket hand warmers.  I still want to make three more pairs of those.  But this week, I spent almost all of my time working on this project for my neighbor, Jan.  I should have it finished some time today.

This project is different from any other I've ever done.  I blogged about the process in a previous post.  I found the pattern in the December issue of Quilter's World magazine.  It was so perfect for Jan that I decided to drop everything and make it for her.  Since my previous post, I worked on the applique, which had to be enlarged by 450%.

I buy fusing medium by the bolt, and so I had a nice big sheet to work with.  Except for the tippy-top-tip of the tree, I was able to get it all on one sheet.  Cutting it and getting it laid out evenly and like the picture in the pattern was a little dicey, but I managed to get it done.

The instructions told me to bind it first though.  I can't say enough good things about the new Cut-Rite Bind Up  tool I'm using now to finish my bindings.  The problems I was having with them are a thing of the past.

Today, I added Angelina fibers to it, and stitched it down.  I've never worked with Angelina fibers, and so that was a bit of a challenge.  (And my sewing room is absolutely sparkling now!  I'd like to say it's sparkling clean, but that's not exactly what I mean.)  I think I made it much harder on myself than I needed to, but I also think I did pretty well for a first try.

And here's where I left it.  I still need to fuse and stitch down the snowflakes.  The larger ones have crystals on them too--another technique that is completely new to me.

I still want to put a label on it too.  I have a cute one in mind.

And now I'd like to see what all of you have done!  Till next time, take care.