Joseph's Coat - Placement of applique shapes & finishing your block

Now this is the fun part! Grab a cuppa, your petal shapes, a 12" square of your background fabric, glue stick, applique pins, needle (size 11 straw), threads, scissors, a light box ... if you have one ... and lets go!

Placement of your applique shapes ...

You will need to position the placement guide, that you made in step one, on a flat, firm surface where you can place your background fabric over it and still see your placement makings through the fabric. Obviously, the easiest way to do this is by using a light box but if you don't have one there are other ways to do this .. such as securing your project to a window or to a glass top table etc. Alternatively, you could carefully trace over the positioning lines using a fine permanent marker so that you can see the lines through your fabric without a light source - although this will probably only work if your background fabric is white.

Tape both the placement sheet & the background fabric in place using a little masking tape to avoid movement during this step. Apply a little glue to the seam allowances on the back of one of your petals.

Once complete, carefully position the petal shape over one of the centre petal positions on your background fabric, making sure you match up your points.

Apply glue to the back of another petal and carefully position it on the outer edge of the block ... see below ... taking care again to patch up your points.

Continue in this manner around your block, carefully positioning your petal shapes making sure that the points meet as perfectly as you can manage ... this job will be made much easier if you have been able to create sharp points when you originally made the petal shape.

I use glue to initially position the petals because it makes it quick & easy to reposition them, if you need to. 

 
 
Although the glue stick will hold the petals in place initially, because you will be manipulating the project around quite a lot while you stitch, you will need to pin the petals in place to ensure their stability until they are secured permanently with your stitching.

Applique pins are perfect for this purpose as they are lovely and small making it less likely that you will get your thread caught up in them while you are stitching. You will also need a couple of pins along the side of each petal in addition to the pins I have used in this photo.

Stitching your shapes in place ...

Before we jump into the applique stitch here are a few little tid bits that you may or may not have a hankering to know about ....

Do you sometimes have problems with your thread knotting up and becoming tangled while you are stitching? It may just be because you have threaded your needle with the wrong end of your thread!!! If you are left handed, like I am, you should thread your needle using the end that you cut ...not the end that comes off your cotton reel! If you are right handed you should thread your needle with the end that comes directly off your cotton reel. 

Do you know how to make a 'Quilting Knot' in your thread??

Basically this is just a french knot of sorts .... thread your needle then take the eye end of your needle between your thumb & second finger ... place approximately 1cm of the long end of your thread between your first finger and the needle - holding it in place with your thumb.

Wrap your thread over and bring it back under your needle holding the loop in place on the needle with your thumb and first finger ....

 
... pull the thread tight around the needle and holding it in place with your finger and by maintaining the tension on the thread with your other hand.

  
Wrap your thread around your needle a second time. Pull the thread tight around the shank of the needle.

Then while holding the loops in place firmly with your thumb and first finger .... use your other hand to carefully pull the sharp end of the needle through the loops of thread, while continuing to hold the thread loops firmly with your thumb & first finger.

 
Pull the needle until the entire length of the thread has been pulled through the loops ...

 creating a small knot in the end of your thread.  

Which direction should you stitch?

If you are left handed you will find it easiest to stitch from left to right and if you are right handed you will find it most comfortable to stitch from right to left ... generally speaking that is!

Blind stitch ...

We will be using the exact same stitch that you would use if you were needle turning this applique ... but you obviously don't need to flick your seam allowances under with your needle because we did that earlier!

Firstly I will show you the actual stitch then we can look at the order that I sew the shapes down later. Anchor your thread behind your block under the applique shape you intend to work on. Pull your needle through to the right side of your project by coming out slightly under the applique shape, taking the needle up through the petal as close to the fold line as possible (the fold that was created when you turned the seams allowances under).

While holding your block with your non-dominant hand ... thumb on top and fingers under where you will be stitching - your first finger should be positioned directly under where you are stitching. Carefully take your needle straight down into the background fabric directly in line with your initial stitch.

Once you feel the tip of your needle pop through to the back ... tilt your needle back and take it back up through the background fabric ... only a millimeter or two from where you came through ...

... remember to come through your background fabric a thread or two under the shape then take the needle through as close to the folded edge of the shape as possible. Pull your thread through firmly.

Basically this is the stitch that you will be using through out this entire project. If you are careful and you match your threads well to your applique shape you shouldn't really see your stitches.

Remember that your stitches should only be a couple of millimeters apart. You should find the back of your project should look something like this ...

 
 
If you are able to see your stitches it may be because ...

* your stitches are too far apart

* you aren't beginning your next stitch where the last stitch finished

* you are coming through your applique shape too far from the shapes folded edge

* you are coming up through your background fabric at a point that isn't slightly under your applique shape

This really isn't a hard stitch to master and once you get in the swing of it you will find that you will really motor along!

Stitching order ...

I start my stitching off along the edge of one of the centre petals about an inch from the centre point. I stitch toward the centre. Once I reach the centre I then anchor all of the other five points making sure that they all meet as closely as possible in the centre.

To do this... bring your needle up under the petal you are working on, just before the centre point of the block. Then take the needle into shape, slightly below the centre point, slide the needle along in between the seam allowance and the top surface of the shape coming out through the point. Now take the needle through the background fabric at the centre point bringing the petal point to the centre of the block. Continue to sew a few anchoring stitches along one edge before moving to the next petal.

Once all of the centre points have been secured select one petal and continue along one edge to the other point.

Continue stitching along the inside edge of the adjoining outer petal, then down the next inner petal, up the other side of that same petal and so on until all of the 6 inner petals have been sewn down and the inner edge of the 6 border petals. Do not, at this point, sew down the outer edges of the border petals ... this will be completed when the blocks are sewn together.

 
That's it!! I hope you can follow all of this ... it has been a challenge to get decent photos for this post as it is pretty much impossible to take photos myself while using both hands to stitch .... so Joshua spent quite a lot of time taking photos of my hands today! ... Oh and his brand new thongs!!!

You should now be able to make yourself a block or two or 49! So go forth and stitch people!!!! Should we have a little incentive? How about ...

... the first person to finish a block and post a picture of it on the Joseph's Coat flickr page .... will collect a How does your garden grow pattern. You will need to be listed as participating in the quilt along to play along.

... the first person to finish off 7 blocks and post a picture of them on the Joseph's Coat flickr page .... can select any one of my patterns to do with as they please. Don't forget that you will need to be listed as participating in the quilt along to play along.

Seeing the plan was 3 blocks every 2 weeks I think it would be great if we could all meet on Flickr at least every two weeks to share our progress.  

Edit ... Edna has been checking up on you girls !!! (see comments) If you are joining in please;

* make sure your link is functional on the Mr Linky list - please check yours and let me know if it needs fixing

* make sure that you have at least linked to the quilt along on your blog if you have one ,,, fair is fair guys!

* if you have decided to opt out .. no problem ..just let me know so I can take you off the list.

I will run lots of random giveaways and incentives during the making of the quilt ...but you will need to be on the Mr Linky list to join in.

Congrats to Marielle was the first to complete a block! Well done Marielle ... it looks lovely too with the green background! Very dramatic!;

******************************************************************************************************

If you are in the UK and looking for something to do this weekend make sure you head off to the Chilford Autumn Quilt Festival .... if you happen to make it there please go and say hello to the Buttonberry Duo who have apparently rustled up a Meg's Garden & Oh Christmas Tree of their very own ... in their spare time!!!!

As for me ... well I am going to be burning the candle at both ends even more than usual this week as I have in a moment of total madness weakness decided that it would be a good idea to take a stall at the Quilt Market (trade show) here in Melbourne next weekend ... how everything is going to get done before Friday I have no idea!

Enjoy your weekend!

Kellie

Comments

[Jennifer]

This is just beautiful! Thank you for such clear pictures and instructions. I am just learning to applique and it was so nice to find this tutorial. I may have to add this project to my list...

Jennifer :)

[anina]

Oh my! I'm really going to have to get a move on here.

[dottycookie]

Gosh, that's inspirational!

And funny you should mention Chilford - it's about 10 miles from my house and I am indeed planning to head along on Sunday!

[Thimbleanna]

Oh Kellie! Your stitching is SOOOO perfect! This is an awesome project. Thanks to your little camera helper. And thanks for the fun tricks and tips!

[Jessica]

Thanks ever so much for the tutorial. I am working on beginning quilting. :)

[Edna]

Great instructions!! I just found you and this project. I was checking out some of the links on your MR LINKY page and there are quite a few that don't link to anything or they link to blogs where there is no mention of this project. Also, the color used for the links is the same color as windows uses to show visited links which makes it hard to tell which ones you have gone to. Just a couple things that you may wish to check out to make it easier for everyone who is actually doing this project. I am still deciding if I will join in to make this right now or not. I love handwork to it is EXTREMELY tempting!

[Mariëlle]

I am trying to find the best way to get the pattern on my block. I marked the middle, but how do I know that I pinn the petals on the right plce and not turn the block to much?

[The Chocolate Cat]

Oh I am going to the show on Saturday, normally on a stand there but we aren't having one this year so Mum and I are looking forward to just visiting! I will pop in and say hi!

[greetingarts]

I did it, Kellie, I did it! My compass (stinky thing from decades ago) wouldn't go as large as 5.5", but I just finished drafting my own 6" block. I'm so excited! Thanks for your excellent instructions. They really are stellar.

[andi]

This is such a wonderful tutorial. I only wish I had the time to play along.
I can't believe Joshua took some of those photos. What a little star!
Makes me feel more confident in the gift I bought for Ella's 4th birthday in a few weeks. A pink camera ... a real one!!
I'll be looking out for you at Quilt Market next weekend.
Love,
Andi x

[Micki]

What a great tutorial! I do applique that way too, and I can see how much you love it!
Thanks!
Micki

[Sandy Gray]

Very clear instructions and wonderful photos Joshua. Well done!

[Mariëlle]

I have finished my block but have no clue how to get it into the flickr group :-(

[Mariëlle]

I did it, I am the first to post a photo. I am so very very happy. I am sure my 4 kids will be so thrilled when I teel them in the morning Here in the Netherlands it is 11 o clock in the evening so they are all asleep now (age 7, 9, 11 and 13)

[Mariëlle]

By the way I am nr 109 in te mr Linky list

[Janet]

Excellent instructions and fabulous photos from your star photographer Kellie. Thank you once again for all the time and effort. Special thanks to Joshua.
I have a question, will we be able to see any seams once we get to block joining? It looks like you've worked with a strip of fabric rather than squares.

[Chriss Jasper]

Excellent lesson, and so much nformation! I see others have actually made their first one and I am still waiting for my fabric to arrive - but I have done the other stuff, all in readyness! Thank you so much for sharing this technique and your knowlege with us, it is very much appreciated.
Congratulations to Joshua, maybe a budding photographer there.

[Debbie]

Hi,
I'm in Queensland at the moment. Visited 'The Patchwork Angel', they have a lovely display of your patterns....they were raving about you!!!!!

[kathy]

I can't wait to get started! I'm still waiting for my stitch and wash to arrive.....sigh....

[Janet]

I'm stitsching away Kellie but since we're not stitching the outer edges, I was wondering how far up we stitch on the inside. Is it to the outer points on the shapes or leave the points free at this stage?

[KarrieLyne]

Wow. I knew this was going to be a lot of work but was I in for a surprise. I've actually enjoyed it though! Especially your tip about the thread and which end to use. I've fought with tangled thread for the last time :) Now, can you tell me an easy way to thread that itty bitty needle hole? LOL

Make sure to thank Joshua for the excellent photos he took! I wouldn't be where I am with out them, which is almost done with my first block! Yay!

[Jasmine]

I'm waiting on my stitch & wash to arrive too... I can't wait to get started :)
Thanks for yet another set of detailed and easy to follow instructions - Joshua's photos are GREAT! I know I will be able to master this technique. I've been too intimidated to try needleturn, but your technique looks do-able :)
You're so generous Kellie, not only with all the free tuition on this project, but with the incentive giveaways to keep us all motivated.
I'm off to check out Marielle's block on flickr!

[wishes, true and kind]

Great tutorial! Thank you so much!

joan

[Mary on Lake Pulaski]

Any tips Kellie on how to do petal placement when your (my) background fabric is chocolate brown?

[kritta22]

Oh this is beautiful!!!! you are a superstar!

[Amelia]

Awesome Kellie! Thanks so much, just waiting for a wee package to arrive with some fabric ... once that arrives I think the kids may go feral =) Joshua has done a sterling job on the photos! And you have done an amazing job on the instrustions! Super!!

Off to see what people have done on flicker!

[Leanne]

How is the pay for a hand model LOL. Tell Joshua he did a great job. I decided not to tag along with this quilt as I am going to do Lilly Pilly in Jan. but the tutorial is great so thanks I am sure they will help me with Lilly Pilly. Looking forward to catching up on the weekend.

[Shelly in So. Cal.]

Thanks soo much Kellie, this is a wonderful project. I love the Kaffe Fassett fabrics and I have a few that I am anxious to use. I have ordered some of the Kaffe charm packs so I can have a wide variety of fabrics. Just a little FYI, if you have charm packs (the 5" squares) the arc will fit across diagonally and then you will have the extra triangles on either side for another project..... for those of you soo inspired!!! hee hee

[Mary on Lake Pulaski]

My link on Mr. Linky needs fixing. It goes to a specific OLD post, not just to my blog where I am documenting my progress on Joseph's coat.

[Sonja]

Thank you, thank you, thank YOU, Kellie!!!

[jessica]

Good evening,
excuse me in advance for my inferior English, i'm french!
I discover your blog and I find your really magnificent creation!!
I begin in patchwork and I am very admiring of your work, that makes dream....
Congratulation Jessica

[corrie]

oh you are too kind to share!!!!

good luck getting ready for market! I'm looking forward to coming and saying hi to you and ordering some lovely patterns!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm busy just organising the household for the day so I can't imagine your rush getting a stall ready! deep breaths and caffeine and chocolate always work for me!
Corrie:)

[Rose Marie]

I have my first block all pinned up but am slightly confused. Your large photo with all the arcs or circles sewn together .... how did you do that? Do you have a full size photo that we can see? Oh my .... so many questions. This is very intriguing, but confusing.

[Debbie]

Love it - but don't quite get the background blocks. Your sample looks like you are using a huge piece of fabric, but I thought the directions said to applique each circle (12 petals)onto a 12" background piece. Will probably wait until I see how you piece the 12" blocks together before I jump in.

[Amber]

Very beautiful!!! You did a great job with the instructions! This might be in my future quilting! TFS!!

[katie]

I agree I also see you are placing them on one large sheet of white - I would love to see how they are put together. If you will.. = DD or if you could tell us WHEN you'll be posting this.
THANKS BUNCHES AND BUNCHES

[Lisa]

Hi Kellie, I was also wondering if you could clear up the blocks question from the women above. I've been looking at the flickr account and I've seen both "blocks" made with the petals sewn onto one solid background and some with 12 petals sewn in a circle on a single square. Which is correct?

Thanks,
Lisa

[Cara]

Oh I love this quilt and love the applique prep technique you use soooo.....count me in on the quilt along please, if it is not too late to join! This is going to make my applique so much better! Thanks! Off to go buy a compass and stabilizer!

[Cara]

Ok ETA I found Mr Linky and added my name! So excited as I have the perfect fabric for this wonderful quilt! Thanks Kellie!

[Mariëlle]

I have just uploaded my photot in flickr, with my 7 finished blocks. I am having so much fun making these. But the last one wasn't fun anymore because my hands are sore, because I stitched so many hours in 8 days. Now I am taking a brak for 2 days and then I start with block nr 8

[Karen Beigh]

I just found this tutorial today. Never heard of the Stitch & Wash and have just gone to a site that explains it. What a neat trick. Thank you for informative tutorial with all the great photos.

[Donna]

I so want to make this - I have bought the supplies, drafted my pattern and made the templates. But that is where I have stopped. Christmas crafting has got in the way. It may be a while before I get back to this project. You can remove me from the linky list and I will just follow along quietly when I get to it.

[Leah]

Wow Kellie, looks amazing. I havnt been able to do any of it as its been crazy around here. I tryed to take my name off the linky. But no go. I hope you did well at the Trade Fair. Thanks for the Tute hopfully I'II be able to get to it in the new year.

[Elaine]

Greeat tutorial!!!! I do have a question...which Stitch & Wash do you use? The tear away or the water soluable? Thanks for the inspiration.

[Michele]

Hello, Kellie! I just came from the flickr site and I was wondering if you might consider giving us a hint on how the blocks will be going together. I noticed the comment you posted to the person withthe photo of the blocks morphing colors and how the blocks will be put together in vertical rows... I'd like to do the color morphing thing as well, and would really appreciate the hint! Thanks, Michele

[rebecca bird]

Hi Kellie

Just got my fusible Floriani today! (Tuesday 17th) Is anyone else having trouble making their points really pointy? Your photos and explanation are wonderful and I'm perservering but some of mine are not up too scratch and a little bit square i'm trying to make them nice and flat without too much glue and fiddling so when I applique I don't have any issues.....help?

[Erica K]

The tutorial is great. I can't say I want to do it by hand...we'll see. I wouldn't have won any prizes anyway! But I'm not sure I want to do my usual buttonhole stitch either. I've been 'away' for a week, and I've barely picked my fabrics! Looking forward to it though!

[sharon]

Kellie
Thank you, I came across this tutorial as I was trying to do some hand applique.
I used your method, with the glue stick and Can't believe how well it worked.

I just appliqued cut-out hands ( of my little nieces and nephews) to put in a circle on a quilt I have finished for my parents 55th anniversary
It looks great !

thank you

[flower Philippine]

It looks fun to make this project!Thanks for sharing this tutorial.

~Ashley~

[Starquilter]

What a fabulous project! Can't wait to start it now that I just found it!