Arrowhead Alpinus mentioned something else about the Picea abies 'Millcreek Broom': PICEA GLAUCA 'MILLSTREAM BROOM'. To tell the truth I got this just for the name, presumably it goes back to Linc Foster. It.s an erect dwarf plant that is a pincushion of stiff needled fox tailed shoots each topped by a prominent bud giving the general impression of a dwarf Picea abies.

Jean, Are the windows square or are they crooked with points? Like on Strolling the Block? Once we figure that out we can decide the best way to do this.... I just bought a book that is AWESOME for applique! It is called Baltimore Elegance, and it has patterns to do a Baltimore album quilt. But it has 6 lessons that teach you applique including reverse, back basting and all sorts of stuff I don't know how to do. The beginning has the best explanations of needleturn and prepared applique I have ever seen!

Ty, It totally depends on where you are in your applique. If you are on a straight edge or a gentle curve you can get away with a scant 1/4". If you are on a tight curve (an innie or outie) or a sharp point I prefer to go to 3/16", less for a very sharp point. On a sharp point you just have to make sure you leave enough to turn under. So many beginning appliquers, stitch too far along the first side and don't leave enough fabric to turn the point under. That's what happens when you see tips that are frayed. If your tips frey, unthread your needle and back stitch one or two stitches then turn under. In my applique I trim as I go to prevent freying and I can adjust the width as needed as I go. So basically there's no "one-size-fits-all" seam allowance. Sue

I sometimes quilt and applique at the same time, depending on the type of applique. That's what I did on my Poplar Leaf wallhanging. If the appliques don't overlap, this works really well. I starch the edges of the motifs, press them over either a mylar or cardstock template and then either handbaste or pin them in place. I figure that if I'm going to quilt on the applique anyway, I might as well kill two birds with one stone. Here is a link that might be useful: Poplar leaves wallhanging