Some quilters are totally frightened at the prospect of doing appliqué and yet it is one of the most enjoyable types of quilting to do, if one knows how! That seems to be the key: the word “if.” I must have been very lucky to have been taught how to appliqué by a couple of outstanding quilters. To me, needleturn appliqué looks the prettiest. If that is too daunting, start out with something less intimidating like buttonhole stitch appliqué by hand. In the 1930s, quilters did not even bother to turn under the edges of the appliqué at all, in some instances, and just appliquéd on the raw edge. That can become problematic if the quilt or finished quilted item is ever washed. If the stitched are not closely-spaced, there will be unraveling.
Detailed instructions for the vintage Pansy quilt shown here are available @$9.95 which includes shipping (U.S.). For more details, contact: pat@quiltersmuse.com The flowers and leaves are appliquéd with Buttonhole Stitch in the original but the motifs could be appliquéd in any way one chooses.
Some of the mid-19th century quilts that fascinate us today, like the Baltimore Album beauties and the quilts of the Red & Green tradition, were appliquéd. They look elegant and often required the skills of a fine needlewoman to add embroidery and layers of fabric in designs (as well as a skilled hand in inking as many were signature quilts).
In today’s society, it seems that we want “instant” everything. Anything that takes time and care is “too much trouble” for most people. Yesterday I told a friend that I really appreciate the fact that I was educated in Catholic school for the first six grades. We were taught “cursive” writing or “Penmanship” as it was called. I loved to practice writing the letters and always enjoyed reading my mother’s beautiful cursive handwriting.
An unmailed letter to my brother Jack, written by my mother in February 1964, mentions me. Jack was away at Air Force Basic Training in San Antonio, Texas, at the time.
Over the years, my own handwriting has deteriorated but if I concentrate, I can still write well. Similarly, I love to do Calligraphy and have taken several courses to learn how. Whether we concentrate on making beautiful letters or beautiful stitches, time is required… and care as well as concentration.
The fact was brought out on the Nightly News the other night that Penmanship (cursive writing) will no longer be taught in America. In the day of the computer, the subject is not considered important. To my way of thinking, children are being cheated out of a wonderful, artistic experience. When we take shortcuts, in the long run, we are never as satisfied as if we had taken the time to learn how to do something that is more pleasing.
Fusible appliqué and other shortcuts are fine, as is printing letters of the alphabet instead of writing them in an artistic manner. I have to ask, “What are we losing in the process?” Something to consider… Anyone else a fan of adding beauty to our world in small ways?
Patricia Cummings who likes the Argentinian saying: “Before one dies, one should write a book, plant a tree and have a baby,” and is happy to say that she has completed all of those experiences! Cheers!
