Mel's Sewing and Fabrics Absolutely Applique Instructor: Annie Smith

Mel’s Sewing and Fabrics Absolutely Applique Instructor: Annie Smith Background fabric: You will need one yard of a background fabric for your quilt. You will need to prewash your fabric, but DO NOT cut your fabric prior to the workshop. You will be given cutting instructions at the workshop. Choose one Focus fabric - which has a good assortment of colors that you want to use as your color palette. You may not necessarily use the Focus fabric in your block, but rather to use it as a color palette to pick your fabrics. 1/8 to 1/4 yard pieces, Fat quarters, or scrap pieces of a variety of fabrics for flowers, leaves, birds, etc. I like to use a variety of color in different values to create light and shadows. For example, I like using more than one green; so I will have a darker green as my stems and then 2-3 lighter or brighter greens for my leaves. P. S. You don’t have to use green – see my sample at the shop. Sewing Machine (your sewing machine should have a zigzag, blind hem stitch or blanket stitch) with power cord and foot pedal. Bring the manual for your sewing machine, so you know how to dial in the stitch you want to use! An open toe applique foot for your sewing machine (If you are not 100% sure that you have this foot, or are not quite sure if you have it -- consult your local sewing machine dealer for your brand of sewing machine) -- Please do not arrive at class without this foot! It is essential in the finished product of this method to use this specific foot. If you try to just use what you have, you will be disappointed in the outcome and will waste your time at the workshop. Schmetz Microtex 80/12 needles Thread to match fabrics or black if you are using a folk art method and black background fabric, (50 weight cotton thread – I use Mettler) – we can choose these in class. Wound bobbins to go with each thread that matches the fabrics you are using for appliqué. I would recommend getting a BobbinSaver ring to keep your bobbins in while you do this quilt, and to keep all of your threads together and not to use them on other projects so you will have them when you need to work with them. Pencil for notes and tracing, quilting pencil (Roxanne’s) for fabric scissors for paper and fabric (I prefer to use small scissors for cutting the applique shapes.) Ball head pins, spray starch (I use Faultless regular, Niagara is good too.) You will need fusible web -- I recommend Soft Fuse sheets. These come in a package and are pre-cut. Annie Smith © 2009 [email protected] www,simplearts.com 408-706-6487 Text me or email me if you have any questions

(Second choices would be WonderUnder or Steam a Seam LITE – not Seam a Seam 2) for all of your applique. You will need approximately one yard for the first block. Please cut the fusible to fit and store in a gallon size zip lock bag, and keep it flat. If you will do this as soon as you buy it, the fusible will be in good and ready shape for when you need it. The pattern for the quilt will be provided at class.

Annie Smith © 2009 [email protected] www,simplearts.com 408-706-6487 Text me or email me if you have any questions