Invisible Machine Applique: Simply Amazing

Last week, I took a workshop from fabric/pattern designer and quilter Kim Diehl. She came to our quilt guild for two days of workshops to teach her method of invisible machine appliqué. In case you're not in the know, appliqué (in quilting terms) is a method used to create designs on a quilt with pieces placed on top of the fabric and then sewn in place--either by hand or machine.

There are several different ways to appliqué, but I prefer the look of needle-turn for it's clean edges and no-show thread. However, needle-turn takes a lot of time because it is all done by hand. Well, Kim's invisible machine appliqué method is just what the name implies: appliqué attached by sewing machine where the thread is pretty darn near invisible. When done correctly, it looks fabulous. And that's what I've been trying to perfect on my project all week. Here is a picture of Kim's wall hanging (and the one I'm working on as well). I'll post a picture of mine when I'm finished.

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Am I a Winner? Not so much.

I am definitely not lucky. I made these three (yes, count them, THREE) blocks for my quilt guild's blockjack drawing last month. I thought that making three blocks would increase my odds (which technically, it did because I got one entry per block), and thus render me a winner in the drawing--but no. I can take solace in the fact that my aunt won, so I can visit my blocks at her house. And, if I can't win, then I'm glad someone I know and love did. At least I have the pattern and the experience of making three blocks so when I finally do get around to it, I can make my own quilt. Right? Let's just add this to the running list of quilt projects floating around in my head, and we'll see which ones make it to fruition. Too many quilts, too little time.

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