Back to Appliqué Basics

 After years of trying all the new fangled ways to do appliqué, I am re-learning the "right" way. Practice, practice, practice.

The project is a composition of two different patterns - the center medallion is:

Tapestry, by Urban Elementz, 

and the surrounding blocks are: 

Fleur by Bobbie Ashley. 

The Tapestry pattern is perfect for new and old beginners - one shape, 

many different sizes and placements. 

I remembered a teacher once saying: List the things you think you know and learn that first! 

Here is a photo of me re-learning how to take a simple stitch:

The method I am using reminds me of the way Ami Simms works. 

She accomplishes the same thing with an entirely different approach.  

I love her website. 

By holding the work this way, with the thumb on the unit, and the foundation rolling 

over the index finger you can see into the space to stitch. 

I am using silk thread, 100 wt. 

and have it tied in a knot to the needle. 

The back basted appliqué design on the foundation stays in place. 

I stitch next to it, being carefully to not stitch into it

It's easy to remove if I do, but why work unnecessarily?

Each stitch goes only through one layer of fabric, and the stitches line up. 

The needle goes into the fabric next to where it came out of the unit. 

When the thread is pulled taut, everything falls into place, like magic.

Notice my edge is not creased. I don't want to accidently crease in a tuck 

under the unit that will never lay right.