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Moda Blockheads 3 - Birdhouse

2/5/2020

9 Comments

 
Jan Patek's BIRDHOUSE block this week for Moda Blockheads 3 is an appliqué design. Last year I did the pieced blocks instead of any appliqué but this year I thought I'd jump into the appliqué spirit! I'm really a patchwork piecing kind of person but it's good to stretch yourself.
Moda Blockheads 3 Birdhouse block by Jan Patek made in All Thatched
I've tried to do needle turn appliqué but I'm not very good at it (I know, I know...I'd get better with practice). But fusible raw edge appliqué is a little more my speed. I'm still a bit rough at it but it IS fun to do something completely different and out of my norm. One thing I enjoy while doing this is getting out one of my other sewing machines. My daily machine is a straight stitch Juki so anytime I need to do decorative stitches, overlock, blanket stitch, zig zag, etc, I bring out my little Bernina or my Juki HZL computerized machine. 

For the first block, I did my ALL Thatched. But this birdie wanted a fancier house, something with birdhouse wallpaper and and a polka dot roof.
Moda Blockheads 3 fancy Birdhouse block made in Robin Pickens Thatched
I like how Thatched still plays well as a background when other prints are showing off. Leaves, leaves and more leaves in this one. I guess I can call the birdhouse a GREENHOUSE BIRDHOUSE.
Moda Blockheads 3 Birdhouse block by Jan Patek made in Robin Pickens' Thatched
As for fusible appliqué tips, I've got two suggestions. One is to let that iron get really hot and really press your fusible or it sometimes peels unevenly. I often don't press it enough to get that good bond. The other tip is one I learned from Anna Maria Horner in a class I took from her. Take a pin and run it over the paper backing to score a little cut line in the paper before you tear it off. You can separate it more easily and peel from that cut line to remove the paper. I had been struggling with the edges of fusible on fabric to separate them and the pin line works much better than my fingernails to start it!
Moda Blockheads 3 Birdhouse block by Jan Patek made in Robin Pickens Thatched
The other thing that always surprises me about appliqué...the mess on my desk! They are happy little cuttings and pieces though. 
applique desk
Thank you, Jan, for this fun block and for stretching me to do new things! Visit Jan Patek for the pattern  at http://janpatek.blogspot.com/ 
and check out the other Moda Blockheads 3 designers to see their progress:
1.15 - Corey Yoder - 
https://corianderquilts.com/
1.22 - Sherri McConnell - https://www.aquiltinglife.com/
1.29 - Betsy Chutchian - http://betsysbestquiltsandmore.blogspot.com/
2.5 - Jan Patek - http://janpatek.blogspot.com/
2.12 - Brigitte Heitland - https://www.brigitteheitland.de/blog
2.19 - Lisa Bongean - https://lisabongean.com/
2.26 - Lissa Alexander - http://modalissa.com/
3.4 - Laurie Simpson - http://minickandsimpson.blogspot.com/
3.11 - Vanessa Goertzen - https://lellaboutique.blogspot.com/
3.18 - Stacy Iest Hsu - https://www.stacyiesthsu.com/blog/
3.25 - Robin Pickens - https://www.robinpickens.com/
4.1 - Janet Clare - http://janetclare.co.uk/blog/
4.8 - Jen Kingwell - www.jenkingwelldesigns.com/blog
4.15 - Joanna Figueroa - https://blog.figtreeandcompany.com/
9 Comments
Karen
2/5/2020 09:18:42 am

I love raw edge appliqué! One other trick to getting the heat n bond lite to stick better is to prewash your fabric. This gets rid of the sizing or whatever is on it & allows the sticky stuff to make better contact with the fabric. Love this cute block!

Reply
Robin Pickens
2/5/2020 12:14:30 pm

I love that info on prewashing Karen! Thanks so much! I'll try that next time. I was using Pellon Wonder Under and I think I will try the Heat 'n Bond Lite next time too.
Thanks!
Robin

Reply
Connie Ross
2/5/2020 09:25:53 am

Thank you, Robin, for letting me know I am not the only one with an aversion to applique! I am in awe of those who love it and who do beautiful work. Whenever an applique block comes up in a BOW or BOM I grumble as I work on it, because, as you say, practice is the key. I had considered skipping this block but after reading your blog I will bite the bullet and give it a go. But not until my finger heals from a surprise attack from my rotary cutter last night. Thanks for the encouragement!

Reply
Robin Pickens
2/5/2020 12:17:17 pm

Funny thing is I actually do enjoy the raw edge fusible when I do it but I guess the grumbling leading up to it is part of my creative process!! As for surprise attacks from rotary cutters...I dropped one with an endurance blade on my foot over the summer and had to go get 3 stitches in my big toe in the ER that night. Who knew quilting was so dangerous??
Heal up quickly Connie!
Robin

Reply
Tuesday
2/5/2020 12:02:17 pm

I love your bird house and loved your comment about the wall paper. SO cute! I'm inspired to try the applique!

Reply
Robin Pickens
2/5/2020 12:19:08 pm

Yay Tuesday! Give it a try. It's actually quite fun. And its way easier to add fabric wallpaper to the birdhouse than add it to our actual houses!!
Robin

Reply
Mary
2/5/2020 12:31:18 pm

No appliqué for me I’ll skip this block and wait for the next one.
Happy appliquing for those that love it!

Reply
Robin Pickens
2/5/2020 12:34:58 pm

On Friday, at least two designers are having alternate plans for a pieced block being shared. Maybe one of those will work for you. And that is the beauty of Blockheads- you can skip a block when its not your thing and no quilt police will get upset!
Robin

Reply
Anita
2/16/2020 03:22:18 pm

Thank you for the tip using the pin to create a place to peel the backing off. I have had a time trying to get it off the edges-this will really simplify the process. Love your appliqué. Thanks for you tip!

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    Designer of colorful florals for Moda fabrics. Modern to transitional quilt designer. Illustrator, sewist, crafter.

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