slow train series: appliqué quilts: the hummingbird

------------------
Notes:
Quilting an appliqué quilt on a free-motion machine
_______________
Appliqué has a soft spot in my heart. When I started quilting in 1997 I was obsessed with appliqué and turned to experienced quilters to teach me what they knew about the variety of techniques traditionally used. I learned about machine appliqué, needle turn appliqué, prepared edge appliqué, and raw edge appliqué. Every technique requires a different time commitment and entails a different set of skills.
I started with hand appliqué and learned from many instructors how to achieve beautiful stitches through patience and commitment.
Quilting an appliqué top can be challenging. I researched historical approaches to appliqué. In the beginning, I would try to replicate what a hand quilter would traditionally do such as stitching in the ditch around all the appliqué elements to create a sculptural effect.
When I first started quilting a lot of the machine quilters would just barely come up to the edge of the appliqué and not stitch in the ditch. For example, they would not stitch all of the elements inside of a flower. They would just leave the whole flower puffy. I felt that didn't provide the full dimensional quality that was needed. I felt it was really important to add machine quilting inside of the appliqué as well as outside of the appliqué.
I started mirroring on my machine what I saw hand quilters doing. I always try my best to maximize the rich structural aspects of the quilt while respecting the original appliqué stitchwork. One of the tricks that I use is to stitch in the ditch with nylon thread that is very clear. This can require quite a lot of work. In the end all of those stitches are almost invisible to the eye but the result has impact. All of the time and effort provides a strong physical support to the appliqué forms.
To learn more see: mctavishstudio....
------------------
Credits/products used in this video:
_______________
This video is made possible through the generous support of Bobbie Edds in memory of her late husband Sidney Edds.
I want to thank Eileen Zube for the opportunity to quilt her quilts and share this video with you on machine quilting an applique quilt on a longarm.
Pattern: "Hummingbird" by Toni Whitney www.toniwhitne...
Video production by Kathy & Karen McTavish
Music by the cosmic pit orchestra (Richie Townsend, electric guitar & Kathy McTavish, cello)
Opening sound by free dissonance (Mags David, voice & Kathy McTavish, cello)
Opening image by Wolfskull Creative
Longarm Machines: APQS Millie (sales, service and training by Karen McTavish) authorized showroom in Duluth Minnesota. For more info: www.apqs.com
Credits/Products used in this video:
Corsage Pins:www.amazon.com...
Wool Pin Cushions: www.amazon.com...
Batting: Quilters Dream Wool and Quilters Dream Poly Deluxe www.quiltersdre...
Nylon Thread: Whisper Touch .006 clear thread ylicorp.com/pr...
Glide Thread by Hab & Dash www.habanddash... also available on Amazon.com
Straight Rulers: 8” Ideal Quilt Angel Edition stores.sewvery...
Curved Rulers: Ronda’s Rulers quiltersrule.c...
Quilting Stencils: www.quiltingst...
Blue Line Eraser Products (to remove markings without washing):
bluelineeraser...
Bohn Chalk Pencil: www.amazon.com...
Dritz Purple Disappearing Ink Marking Pen, www.amazon.com...
EZ Quilting Blue Water Soluble Marking Pen (submerge in water to remove!)
www.amazon.com...

[@scottpennington2445]

Really enjoy watching your work in progress. It is nice to see how you make your decisions. I am learning a lot. Thank you for sharing!

[@MaryMakes]

Omg I love this! I wish we could collaborate one day 🤗

[@annerankin1191]

Quilting ASMR!!!! You have shown you can cross lines of quilting and it looks gorgeous!

[@elainemcatee4347]

You are amazing! What an artist!

[@beaner2907]

That's gorgeous!

[@maryschiff9580]

Beautiful work. ❤

[@gafsastenekamp148]

It is 4 34 am in cape town can't sleep been watching you thanks

[@angelavaladez6450]

Thank you for this lesson 👍❤️

[@delhuertonormiss8504]

❤ Bellísima Obra de Arte. Felicitaciones 👏 👏 👏 👏

[@gafsastenekamp148]

So soothing to watch

[@virginiaolsen5265]

Exquisite

[@alejandrogonzalezgutierrez4970]

Precioso trabajo

[@lcarolynghearing854]

What thread do you prefer to use? This quilt is very lovely, your quilting adds the movement it needs! Very well done from the pieces to the quilter!! 🤩👏🏻👏🏻🌹

[@KarenMcTavish]

I love Glide thread by Hab & Dash. The link is in the description of the video.

[@hazelem1266]

Hi Karen. If a quilt like that was to be hand quilted, would you sew/baste around the edges first and then do the centre? And would you quilt is first and then put on the large appliqué? Thank you.

[@KarenMcTavish]

Hi Hazel - applique' is a technique done before quilting. When hand quilting - you would use safety pins to baste the 3 layers together - then start ihand-quilting from the middle and work your way out. The binding is the last thing to put on after the quilting is all done. When quilting on a longarm - we start at the top and work our way down to the bottom. I would do some research on applique' and hand quilting - you could find thousands of hand-quilting books online - one author to look for is Elly Sienkiewicz - her books are amazing but may be out of print.

[@hazelem1266]

@@KarenMcTavish thank you.

[@cherylnewell9806]

Is that a clear poly thread? Does Glide make one? I do order from them. By the way I'm self taught, even though I have been sewing all my life, I do exactly the same way you are doing this quilt. I always stitch in the ditch. I use a ruler with a notch that defies my hand. Made me feel good watching you do your work.

[@IngDebo]

The Music, where can I get it? I've looked on line and I don't see anything for download. I love Cello and Karen is playing it!

[@KarenMcTavish]

Oh this is composed by my sister Kathy McTavish! You can find her at McTavish.io

[@catherinesofikitis179]

Why do you put 2 pins in each corner? My guess is for stability.

[@KarenMcTavish]

Yep! Stability & so the fabric doesn’t rip in the corners.

[@sandrastitt527]

Sorry but it looks like that one pole on the bottom of the quilt is in your way ?

[@KarenMcTavish]

That is the quilt top roller which is needed to keep the quilt flat. A longarm machine has a 23 inch throat - the roller is set at 30 inches. The roller stretches the quilt top -so it’s stable and flat. The quilting machines “throat” is the amount of space you have to quilt. It’s impossible to run into a roller. Hope this was helpful. 😊

[@sandrastitt527]

What color thread R U using to outline the edges. & the outside of that hummingbird?

[@KarenMcTavish]

All the products used are in the description of this video. It is Nylon clear thread. Very hard to see! 😊

[@deannagaudaur5103]

Thanks Karen, great videos! What is the name of the small curved ruler you are using?

[@KarenMcTavish]

You can find it at “A Quilters Rule” - it’s the smallest ruler in the set called Ronda’s Rulers.

[@merriewoodward8579]

You have revolutionized my use of rulers! Took an all day class with you many years ago which is why there is a long arm In my basement and why I practiced feathers for ages before that 'ah ha' moment. I assume that the piece was raw edge and that the first pass was to stabilize the edges?

[@KarenMcTavish]

Yes! I always quilt the edges of appliqué- even raw edge.

[@cherylnewell9806]

That is steadies my hand.