I STARTED IT! My first applique block

 I started it! I started it in my head years ago and then it progressed to research and then I actually cut out the parts using a pattern from a book I own. It was a simple flower, this was done in August (2025). And then FEAR came upon me.

In the “Beginners” Facebook group I was a part of the finished works that I saw seemed so advanced, it was intimidating.  I had to ignore them, they are not me. I also realized, when I joined a beginner quilting group I had made a few quilts, I was just not confident enough to join the more advanced quilters.

On September 5, 2025 I “appliqued” part of the flower. The books I have read, the videos I watched on YouTube had various steps I should have taken but did not. Why? Like quilting I wanted to do things like my great grandmother did until I knew what I wanted to do. Since I did not have my great grandmother around I had to use my common sense and appreciate where I was and not where I wanted to go. 

Aside from not using stabilizer I tried but did not continue using a technique called Needle Turn. I decided to simply put the parts on the fabric, using a glue stick to secure the piece in place,  and sewed it on! By September 12th, I had made my first applique block! 

WHAT I LEARNED

1. It is important to be familiar with the process. 
2. Like with anything I do, I try to find someone, on YouTube, that teaches in a way that I can appreciate.
3. In order to gain confidence I NEEDED TO just sew it. The reason I own so many seam rippers is that I can undo mistakes!
4. SIZE MATTERS
   -One of the reasons why I did not successfully apply Needle Turn applique was because the project was small. Next time will try a larger design.
   -I did try using a quilt frame but it was not necessary because of the size of the project. 
5.  I used the thimble and it helped.
6. My technique will improve with experience.
7. I still don’t see the need for stabilizer or paper, the glue stick kept everything in place, that and pins. 
8. I used a simple running stitch. 

At some point I have to NOT LISTEN TO OTHER PEOPLE! 

MY FIRST QUILT 2017

Making a quilt is tearing up fabric and sewing it back together, then getting a uncut fabric the same side putting them together with stuffing (batting) in the middle.  The process of quilting is sewing the three layers together; people like to sew the pieces together creating a design. A

Applique is making an image out of fabric and sewing it onto fabric.  

We are all as good as our imagination will take us. 

Written by Marsha L Floyd
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 

GETTING STARTED: HAND EMBROIDERY THE OWL

From left to right: The design to be copied, the expected look &
 the transferred image onto cotton fabric.

Despite the number of completed hand embroidery projects I am still learning. The one thing I have learned is that there is always something to learn. Things were different when I was machine embroidering. The mobility of hand embroidery, sewing anywhere, I need to master four specific practices.  Organization, Preparation, Set-up,  Restoration. 

NOTE: This is what I do, you will develop their own routine based on your time, amount of space you have, financial investment and the project. I do believe the following steps are part of any crafting project.

 ORGANIZATION: Before I know what I am going to make it is important that I have the basic supply of items. The set-up can include: scissors, a needle threader, pins, needles, a measuring tape and or ruler , pen or pencil, paper, and a thimble.  These items should be placed in a convenient ready to reach for spot. 

I have a list of all of my patterns: sewing patterns, machine embroidery patterns and hand embroidery patterns. 

• My sewing patterns are listed, individually of course, on index cards and categorized: tops bottoms, bags, hats etc. 
• The machine embroidery patterns are listed, alphabetically, in a small 3 ring binder (5 1/2” x 8 1/2”). I can put notes on each page 
• For the hand embroidery I actually download each pattern. Each pattern is placed in a Pocket plastic divider. When I purchase a kit, I save the picture, they are placed in a 3 ring binder. 

 I have 3 mobile sewing kits: quilting, embroidery and sewing, they are stocked accordingly.

PREPARATION: Once I know what I am going to make I start preparing.

 When you purchase a kit everything you need is usually part of the package, including the hoop, not so when you starting from scratch.

1.    I start with my design, I am working on an owl that will go on a carry-all bag, so I will use the owl to describe my preparation process.
   -The design- I cannot draw so I need to find an image of an owl that I can actually embroider. I      have found quite a few embroidery patterns priced reasonably on Etsy.
   -The structure in which the design will be placed on. Yes, I know it is fabric but, you could transfer your design on wood, plastic or even glass.
2. There are a few different methods of transfer the design onto the structure, I primarily use carbon paper.
3. Colors, the hardest part for me is determining the colors I will use. Make sure you have enough of each color.
4. Right size hoop.
5.  Most kits give you more than enough floss, I tend to buy more than enough because I don’t want to run out  
6.   I have an Embroidery Hoop Stand, this is optional and I don’t use it all the time.

SET-UP Now I am ready to transfer my design and position my project on the hoop. I have gathered the colors I will need, and have my needle, and scissors nearby. I am ready to sew.

RESTORATION: After I finish embroidering for the day I should put everything back to wear it was ready for my next session. Unfortunately, I don’t always do this and that is how things get lost. I do, however, put everything up once I have finished a project and use that time to restock. 

   

This was from a kit which I added to a handmade pillow.

Yes, I made my own pillow form!