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
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