Tag: Fusible Applique (Page 2 of 4)

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The Quilted Aria – A New Song

April 27, 2020 /

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

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This little vintage machine quilt is singing a new song!

This vintage machine quilt is getting a makeover! Check out this incredible fabric from RJR! It’s a Digiprint called Arcadia “Secret Garden”. It makes a fabulous focus fabric for this vintage machine quilt pattern!

Why Aria?

Aria ahr-ee-uh: expressive music often heard in opera – she’s a singer!

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If you are familiar with my designs, you know you’ll use BOTH sides of the fabric. Use the front side for the machine and binding. Use the reverse to make the stork scissors, thimble, and pennants.

As you can see above, this vibrant digital fabric has a hand-painted look of bouquets of flowers, three different birds, and a soft shadow design throughout.

Using BOTH sides of a focus fabric provides a subtle difference in value that makes your quilts sparkle (or in this case, “sing”)!

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It’s a valuable skill.

In the pattern, you learn how to audition both sides of fabrics to choose your focus fabric for your vintage machine quilt. Next, you’ll audition both sides of your focus fabric with your possible background choices. It’s all about value and what catches your eye first. It’s easy to do, once you know how. Additionally, its a skill you can apply to all your future fabric choices!

Image of vintage sewing machine artwork on white tee.
Aria Singer 221 T-Shirt

Read more about this quilter t-shirt!

In summary, once you’ve learned the nuances of value, you can apply that skill to all your quilt projects.

First, I drew this pattern from my own little machine. Next I drew my favorite “stork” scissors and my late mother-in-law’s thimble. I enjoy using sentimental tools when stitching. As you can see, there’s something special about Aria. This pattern has a piece of my heart in it.

SHOP patterns and kits.

Below is the original quilt and a “Tula” version, which had to be PINK (also available as a focus fabric kit)!

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See Popular Vintage Machine Quilt about my opera-singer daughter.

Image of Paige in Our Town

Read the debut of Aria at “Vintage Machine Quilt Pattern“

If you like vintage, see both beautiful sides of this focus fabric used to make Merle’s Bouquet! Use an easy modern broderie perse technique to make your bouquet in a vintage watering can.

Are there florals in your stash?

Image of Watering Can Bouquet Quilt
“Merle’s Bouquet”

Pull them out and turn them over! You might be surprised!

WATCH Creative Bee Studios on YouTube!

Have a great day and enjoy your quilting journey!

Read more at Remember “Merle’s Bouquet” Quilt? and see some fun sewing stations in Where We Stitch.

Image of Remember Merle's Bouquet
Merle's Bouquet

Remember “Merle’s Bouquet” Quilt?

April 10, 2020 /

If you remember Merle’s Bouquet, you’ll see the difference a focus fabric can make!

To review, you might recall that Merle is my neighbor and owner of this vintage watering can. When Merle leaves town, this is the can I use to water her flowers.

I happen to love vintage watering cans, too. Therefore, when AQS requested a quilt design that used both beautiful sides of fabric, I instantly thought of arranging a bouquet in Merle’s vintage watering can.

Image of AQ Magazine
Image of Merle's Bouquet for AQ

Use both beautiful sides of one focus fabric.

As a result of the editor of AQS (American Quilter’s Society) requesting a new pattern for their magazine, I asked Merle if I could photograph and sketch her beautiful collection of vases and her vintage watering can.

As a result, the watering can made the cut!

Ultimately, Merle’s vintage watering can was the inspiration for this fun, easy art quilt. Learn about the quilt featured in AQ Magazine.

Similar to Little Susie, the mason jar or Noelle, the ice skates, and Kate (plus many more), this bouquet will be made with a modern broderie perse technique. The bouquet and binding are made from the RIGHT side of fabric, while the watering can is made with the REVERSE.

Notice the light value of the watering can (made from the reverse of the focus fabric) seem to reflect the bouquet made from the front. The flowers are cut from the fused fabric (broderie perse) and arranged as the quilter desires. Aside from auditioning and choosing fabrics for the background, this is the most satisfying part of the process! Quilters in classes really enjoy watching their bouquets “grow’. Each individual’s vision of their bouquet makes these quilts a little work of art.

Learn more about Broderie Perse.

New fabric, new look.

Remember Merle's Bouquet Quilt
Merle’s Bouquet

This vintage watering can quilt has a new, bold look, due mostly to the focus fabric. This RJR Digital floral has a bold motif of painted flowers and birds. Because the value of the focus fabric is strong, it can handle stronger background fabrics.

Auditioning both sides of fabric.

Each pattern describes how to audition both sides of fabric. It’s all about value. In fact, when you learn to audition both sides, you are honing a skill you can apply to all your future quilts! Using of both sides of fabric is like a study in the nuances of value. Learn more HERE.

Finally, remember Merle’s Bouquet is made from floral focus fabrics, but might find other fun motifs as well or ones with little extras, like butterflies, bees, or birds!

Shop more than 50 quilt patterns designed to use BOTH beautiful sides of fabric.

See the AQ Magazine Review here!

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"Pinky"

Meet Pinky…The Baby Octopus

February 17, 2020 /

The Pinky Quilt Pattern is another fun way to use BOTH beautiful sides of your fabric!

As with most of my patterns, it all starts with the fabric – the focus fabric!

Image of Fabric for Octopus Quilt

When I saw this darling fish-bone fabric by dear Stella, I immediately imagined a cute octopus – but first, I had to google: Do octopus eat fish? Well, deep water ones do and this little gal has enjoyed her fill!

Meet Pinky the Baby Octopus miniature quilt!

So, here is the Pinky Quilt Pattern! Keep in mind, if you find a great blue or purple fabric or even the blue/gray fish-bone by dear Stella, you can call her/him “Inky”!

Image of Octopus Quilt.

There are lots of nautical or coastal motifs on the market that would work well for the Pinky quilt pattern!

In case you are new to this concept, these easy quilt patterns are designed to use BOTH beautiful sides of fabric to achieve an interesting balance of values. The patterns teach you how to audition BOTH sides of focus fabrics to choose just the right one AND how to audition BOTH sides of your focus fabric with your scrappy background fabrics. In the process, you learn the nuances of value – a great skill to apply to all quilt planning.

Learn more about auditioning both sides of fabric here: The Tricky Traits of Value

The top of Pinky’s body and the binding are made using the front side of the focus fabric and her under-side and bubbles are made using its reverse. Gather up some fun beachy and “water-y” background fabrics and accent strips for a delightful mix.

Image of Pinky Quilt Pattern by Pool

The Pinky Quilt Pattern comes with a full-size paper template and detailed instructions.

Pinky and all her friends are available at my Etsy Shop: Creative Bee Studios.

Want to learn more about using both sides? See information about classes, programs, and workshops HERE.

Follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram where I regularly share quilts from classes and customers!

Next time you are shopping for fabric, at a LQS or in your own stash, turn it over and #usebothsides !

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O Holy Night Wool Applique

December 16, 2019 /

Take a little time out of the bustle of the season to stitch up a primitive wool nativity scene.

O Holy Night is a simple wool wall hanging. It features Mary, Joseph and the babe in a nativity scene on a starlit night.

O Holy Night, the stars are brightly shining. It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth.

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O Holy Night

Both of our daughters sang for Christmas Eve church services when they were younger. After the early service, we hosted family for a meal and then we’d all head back to town for the candlelight service. O Holy Night, Mary, Did You Know, and Silent Night (to guitar) are the ones I remember most.

Read about other Christmas family traditions in Wild Goose Chase Quilt Under the Tree.

Click on the download below for the templates and head outside to find the perfect hanging stick!

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O Holy Night pdf – Click HEREDownload

This O Holy Night nativity scene starts with a dark purple wool for the nighttime background. Choose any color for your stable. The gold wool depicts the glow of light, from the star and the presence of the Christ child. While I chose more traditional colors for Mary and Joseph, herringbone or other textured wools would add interest. Chain stitches add details the holy family. Blanket stitches finish the edges. I went outside to find the perfect stick for hanging this wool art.

For more Christmas projects, click HERE.

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Wishing you and yours a happy, healthy Christmas filled with joy and blessings.

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Textures of Christmas Time

December 9, 2019 /

Do quilts already play a part in your Christmas decorating? They do in mine! How about including some additional textures among the quilts?

Add texture with simple touches.

Explore some new techniques and textiles to add to your holiday handmade joy!

The main focus of my dining room is a texture-rich quilt! This quilt is great for decorating all winter long. I happen to love aqua as a Christmas color (year-round, really) and it’s here to stay in parts of my Christmas/winter decorating! Fun things to note on this quilt are the buttons, “pearl” necklaces on the birds, skate strings and glitzy fabrics.

Add in a little Punch Needle Snowman…

Mr. Punch Needle Snowman is small enough to finish quickly and glue to the smallest canvas (available at Michael’s). Click on the link above for the free PDF download.

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Image of Mini Punch Needle

Snowflake Table Runner

I made this simple table runner from one wonderful piece of snowflake fabric. Next, I cut the glitzy snowflakes with an Accuquilt die and fused them in place. I did quick quilting on the top/batting. Then I added a ribbon of tiny white balls, like a piping. Finally, I layered it with the backing and turned it like a pillowcase- super fun and fast!

Wood Manger Scene Sign

Make a quick manger scene sign using Scan N Cut, a pre-made sign and shimmery vinyl!

Image of Candlelight Wool Wrap and Manger Scene

Wool Candle Wrap

To make the candle wrap, I just cut strips of muslin on the diagonal and stitched down the middle of them onto a piece of wool. I then threw them in the washer and dryer with a load of towels and they came out nice and fuzzy. Connect the ends in back with a button and a thin hair elastic, sewn to the wool.

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Just for fun, take a look at this Christmas bear quilt! I made it from a McKenna Ryan kit. His hat and glove were meant to be red cotton, but instead I made them from a fun aqua cotton and the ribbing from an old wool sweater that was in my late mother-in-law’s stash.

Be sure to check out the Christmas quilt patterns made with BOTH beautiful sides of fabric HERE!

Wishing you layers of joy this Christmas season!

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JOYFUL
Image of Merry

Introducing…Merry!

November 3, 2019 /

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Table of contents

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It’s beginning to look (and feel) a lot like red truck Christmas quilt season!

Merry is a red truck Christmas quilt that’s easy and fun to make! You can start your holiday decorating with a fun Christmas wall hanging OR make one for a favorite friend!

Use BOTH sides of one red Christmas fabric on a snowy bed of winter fabrics to make this quilted wall hanging.

This little red truck is dashing through a snowy lane. On a background of winter trees, various sizes of snowflake motifs, cardinals on lighted lines, and glitzy deer, this red truck Christmas quilt is made with both sides of one focus fabric. So toss a tree in the back, add the mirrors, tires, license plate, and reversed details to “trim out” your truck. Pull out your winter/Christmas stash and start auditioning your fabrics!

Image of Merry in Snow

Shop the “Merry” quilt pattern in my Etsy shop: HERE

Merry Red Truck Quilt

Below are the current Christmas quilt patterns available. For each you will use both sides of at least one fabric. With each #usebothsides pattern, you’ll discover the nuances of value as you learn to audition BOTH sides of fabric. I teach you HOW, like what to look for and how to use value to your advantage.

Look at each picture below and notice where the reverse side is used. Look carefully because you’ll see that the reverse is often used in the background as well. Chances are you have fabric in your stash that will work, with beautiful reverse sides. So pull out some stash and turn it over! Once you learn about what makes reverse sides work, you’ll never look at one side of fabric again! It’s almost like doubling your stash (without taking up any more room). Plus, it’s fun and makes choosing fabrics easy!

You can learn more about value HERE.

Image of Skates Bouquet Quilt
Image of Tree Wall Hanging
Image of Holly Wreath Hanging
Image of Red Truck Christmas Quilt in Snow
Image of Poinsettia Bouquet

SHOP more Christmas quilt patterns in my Etsy Shop HERE.

Have yourself a wonder-filled quilting journey!

Step Inside the Yellow Door Quilt Store

October 10, 2019 /

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

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In the heart of Indiana is a bright yellow door. Inside is a quilt store.

Enter the Yellow Door Quilt Store to find a cute little quilt shop filled with fun, beautiful fabric (and some cool patterns)!

Image of front of Yellow Door Quilt Store

Take a peek inside the Yellow Door Quilt Store!

Located south of Indianapolis, in Nashville, IN, the Yellow Door Quilt Store carries unique and bright fabrics. They might have a modern flare, but there’s definitely something for everyone!

Initially, I met the owner, Mary Beth, when I popped in to her booth at the Paducah quilt show. I think she noticed I was looking at both sides of her fabrics. As usually happens when I’m auditioning both sides, a lively conversation ensued. I knew right away her fabrics would work beautifully with my patterns.

We hit it off and Mary Beth now offers a number of my designs in her booth and shop!

You’ll likely find bright, bold, and interesting fabrics at the Yellow Door Quilt Store which might include Kaffe Fassett Collective, Marcia Derse, Kathy Doughty, Jane Sasseman, and Alexander Henry. Regardless of your favorite quilting and fabric style, I’m certain everyone will enjoy a visit to the Yellow Door!

Additionally, it was Mary Beth’s who suggest I make a sugar skull pattern using both sides of one focus fabric.

It was certainly a milestone to send the first printing of the Flora Quilt Pattern (sugar skull) to Mary Beth, even though she already carried a number of my titles. It’s fun when a shop owner is excited about using both beautiful sides!

Basically, Flora is a fast, easy pattern made with fusible applique and broderie perse. First, trace and cut the skull shape from a full-size paper template. Next, press the fusible template onto the RIGHT side of the floral fabric. Finally, cut Flora’s flower garland from the floral motif itself, arranged on the quilt and fused. Learn more about broderie perse HERE.

Flora is made with BOTH beautiful sides of a floral fabric. Click HERE for link to Flora Focus Fabric Kit.

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Flora (flawr-uh) Quilt Pattern is made with both beautiful sides of one floral fabric!
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Give Mary Beth a shout-out on her Facebook Live!

Furthermore, you simply MUST experience Mary Beth’s “Hootie Hoo” Facebook Live sessions!

Grab a hot cup of coffee and stay in your jammies to shop!

Visit Mary Beth online HERE or in her quilt store!

SHOP more than 50 unique quilt patterns that use both beautiful sides of fabric!

Read about The Quilt Shop in Chamberlain, South Dakota!

Creative Bee Studios #usebothsides

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"Kate's Bouquet"

Kate Goes Modern

September 26, 2019 /

Do you remember Kate, the vase and bouquet quilt made with both beautiful sides of Kaffe Fassett fabric?

While Kate (shown below) is made with both sides of one fabric, Kate’s Bouquet is made with both sides of two fabrics!

Here’s Kate.

But don’t stop scrolling… Kate’s Bouquet is shown next!

Kate Quilt Pattern

Kate was made using both sides of Japanese Chrysanthemum by Philip Jacobs for Kaffe Fassett Collective.

Firstly, you make the vase by tracing a template onto lightweight fusible and adhering it to the RIGHT side of the fabric.

Next, press lightweight fusible to the REVERSE side of the fabric. Cut the blooms out using the fabric motif as the guide. This is also known as Broderie Perse applique.

Learn more about Modern Broderie Perse.

Finally, you build the bouquet on a fun collection of scrappy background fabrics!

Now see Kate’s Bouquet, made with both sides of two fabrics!

Image of Kate made with both sides of two fabrics.
Kate’s Bouquet Quilt Pattern

Kate’s Bouquet is a dramatic statement for statement in any home!The negative space gives Kate a modern appeal, especially when used with a brilliant solid background fabric.

Notably, the best part about making Kate’s Bouquet is that you only need three fabrics to make this quilt! Use BOTH beautiful sides of the focus and table fabric and get one fabulous fabric for the background!

Kate’s Bouquet is shown with the same floral focus fabric in a different colorway.

Look at this lovely and softer version made by my friend, Linda. She’s named her quilt “Rose”. Her softer quilt has a calm feel about her and goes beautifully in Linda’s newly decorated living room.

“Rose” made by Linda Gast

Just imagine the options for background fabrics! You could mimics wall paper or old plaster walls. So many options!

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I love how Linda quilted her table!

And, of course, there are always fabulous floral fabrics on the market for designing your own bouquet!

Image of Quilt made with both sides of two fabrics.

Remember, it’s all about value. See The Tricky Traits of Value .

Each #usebothsides pattern comes with tips for auditioning BOTH sides of your fabric PLUS the Bonus: Prairie Point Hanging Method!

Shop “Kate’s Bouquet” HERE, at my Etsy Shop

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Merle’s Bouquet is featured in the AQ Magazine. Limited quantities of signed copies in my Etsy Shop/CreativeBeeStudios

Share with your friends – tell them to Join The BUZZ!

Heartland Quilts

August 16, 2019 /

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

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Quilt retreat for the Heartland Quilters’ Guild included workshops and classes.

The quilts at this retreat workshop were unique and varied, even though each was made from the same pattern, Grace.

The Heartland Quilters’ Guild has a “Quilt Away” where the members retreat for days of classes, stitching, and fun. I was excited for the invitation to kick off their quilt retreat weekend with the Grace Quilt Class!

Each quilter used the same pattern, but the results were anything but similar!

First, it is tons of fun to watch quilts come to life during a class or workshop! It’s as if each quilt has a personality of it’s own. Ultimately, this is what happens when everyone chooses their own focus fabrics.

Without a doubt, the choice of focus fabric sets the “mood” for the quilt.

Prior to retreat, the quilters received details about what to bring to class, including fabrics. They began learning how to audition both sides of fabric and what to look for. At quilt retreat class, I guided them through the process. Once you know what to look for and how to do it, auditioning both sides of fabric is fun and easy!

Image of quilters at quilt retreat
Class at quilt retreat
Notice that empty wall? Not for long!

In essence, the combination of background fabrics add interest or “sparkle” to the overall quilt design.

While the method is about using the nuances of value, the unique results shown at this retreat are all about the fabrics and the “floral” designers (the quilters)!

Ohhhh, my favorite color…
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This quilter used both sides of a brilliant panel!
Look at that stunning reverse side!

It seemed we had some actual floral arrangers in class! Man, they were good!

Each bouquet is different!

This class started the quilt retreat with a bang! Look at this line-up of unique Grace quilts!

The line-up!
Image of Grace Quilt Pattern used for class at the quilt retreat.
Grace Quilt Pattern

The Heartland Quilters’ Guild knows how to do quilt retreats!

Whether home or away, enjoy YOUR quilting journey!

Image of Remember Merle's Bouquet
Merle's Bouquet

Introducing Merle’s Bouquet!

August 6, 2019 /

A quilt pattern made from a vintage watering can? You betcha!

My fun, sweet, adventuresome neighbor travels from time to time. When she’s away, I walk over to her house and water her flowers using her vintage watering can.

I’ve always admired that can. They don’t make them like that anymore!

So, when the editor at AQ Magazine asked me for a quilt design, my first stop was Merle’s house!

Merle has lovely vases and other containers. I took photos of them all. But before I left, I asked if I could photograph her watering can. “That old thing?” Yep!

That old thing was perfect for a quilt pattern!

Without further ado…here is Merle’s Bouquet!

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Merle’s Bouquet by Karla Kiefner, Creative Bee Studios

As you can see, she’s made with both beautiful sides of one floral fabric on a scrappy background. When using a combination of fusible applique and broderie perse, the technique is what I like to call “modern broderie perse”.

You see, the watering can is cut from a template, using the REVERSE side of the fabric. The flowers are cut using the fabric’s own motif.

Fortunately, finding fabric with a beautiful reverse isn’t hard. It just takes knowing what to look for and how to look! Each pattern that uses both sides of fabric (more than 45), teaches you how to easily audition both sides of fabric.

Learn more about The Tricky Traits of Value HERE.

Because of the long time between designing a quilt pattern and publication date, it seemed the day would never arrive. One day I got a call from my friend, Nancy, to look in my mailbox. I knew it was time!

I raced out to the mailbox and ran over to Merle’s. It was fun for Merle and I to open the issue together.

Image of magazine cover

Finally, here is the original quilt as it appears in the magazine.

Image of Quilt Pattern in Magazine

Subsequently, I made another version. This focus fabric gave the quilt a whole new look and feel! It’s pictured here with Merle’s can.

Image of Quilt and Watering Can

This RJR fabric has a vivid, painted look with a variety of flowers and birds to add the bouquet.

Image of Quilt and Magazine

You can shop for Merle’s Bouquet quilt pattern HERE.

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RJR Digiprint Arcadia “Secret Garden” Focus Fabric for Merle’s Bouquet

Reflections of Love is the Cover Girl for Quiltmaker Magazine!

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