Good job. You just about have to do one to see how it goes and you learn from it. So this one is not a waste and you can use it for something. Some day there might be a BA block swap and you can pass it along. Keep going. You're doing lovely work.

Nice! That is an ambitious first attempt and it looks great. It will make a nice wall hanging.

beverly

You did a wnoderful job. I find hand applique a real challenge and plan on making it one of my priorities this year. Have 2 projects going so far.
I like your block, very traditional but agree that I think a plain background works best for me. I am using batiks on my BA challenge and they are working better then I thought they would. I decided to do the 12 days of christmas for my blocks even thought they really are BA style.
TFS and besure to keep us updated.
Jayne

That's lovely. You did a great job.

Nice! Congratulations!
Salijo

I think you should hang it next to your sewing machine to remind you of your 'humble applique beginnings'. Looking at it will constantly be a reminder of your level of achievement on each block you complete - sort of a Barometer of Skill.
And Kate - don't you live in Florida??? Cold weather ??? It is 14 degrees here with 30mph winds (gusting to 50) - okay so many others here are way colder then we are..........but I love it when the Floridian's speak of cold weather (I was born in Key West) - heehee

It's going to freeze for the next several nights here in 'sunny' Orlando. I grew up in North Dakota and know what real cold weather feels like, but 30 degrees is cold enough for a fireplace no matter where you live! My orchids are all covered up as well as a few other plants. We almost never turn on the heat, figuring we spend enough money on AC in the summer so it gets pretty chilly in here. Just another excuse to layer on the quilts, really! LOL

Kate

Nice job! It's very pretty.
Sue/polardream

Kate - I'm only kidding you about the cold - a few hours ago, a friend from Naples called and said he was freezing - it was 53 degrees. I do not like hearing about the freezing temps in your area, I know how devastating the hard freezes are to the citrus. I would have a fireplace in your area for sure. I hope your orchids survive.

I meant to say earlier that I do like this block, but prefer the fabrics in the 2nd block. Batiks are more my style as well.

Its really lovely Kate!! I look forward to doing some hand sewing post surgery as I find it relaxing as well.

Kate! You did it! I'm really PROUD of your accomplishment! You've done a really fine job on this first attempt. I agree with rivergirl's assessment to keep it hanging in your sewing room. Remember my 1st center for the Round Robin that I did??? It is still hanging on my closet door as a reminder of my humble beginnings in that particular exchange.

I have to tell you that I do like your fabric choices and your block selection. But you're right, it is pretty traditional. I am surprised that you got it done so quickly. My hand applique usually doesn't work up that quickly.

Keep up the good work. I'll try to get at my planned BA block very soon; you know the scheduling conflicts I'm working with right now. lol

Odessa

Kate I think it's beautiful!! I've never done applique; it's on my list for the seasonal challenge project this year. I really have to start looking into all the facets of doing it and I hope mine turns out half as pretty as yours! Great job.

You can always hang it in your quilting room. I have several of my "first attempts" on my wall and I'm always amazed at how much better I get after getting the first one done. LOL

Thanks for sharing~
Susan

Kate it is lovely!!! I agree that it would make a great wall hanging or a table topper.
Applique looks easy for you.
It is so funny, we had a fireplace in Orlando and used it rarely. Here in SE GA it is hi's of 40s and lows of 20 and I would love to have a fireplace. At least the sun is shinning. I have almost finished hand quilting DH's quilt and it has been keeping me warm.
Rosa

I hope this doesn't show up twice, LOL.

But Kate, whether you like it or not, you did a wonderful job!

Kate your hand applique is beautiful. I just can't get any method of hand applique to look good so I envy you. Your block is great and I haven't seen your other one yet. It would look great as a pillow.
Jeane

That looks wonderful! I am so jealous. I think a lot about trying applique, but seem to spend all my time on the computer!

Don't feel bad; I planned to try applique almost 2 years ago but couldn't get started. Now I'm so glad I did. I took the other block I did to a quilt guild mtg last night and Gwen found a member who does lots of applique for me to talk to. I received good advice. She was very specific about "this is good, this is not so good, do more of this, etc." She broke the piece down bit by bit - something I hadn't really seen myself because I was still focusing on the pattern and colors I think - and showed me the best parts. "Do more just like this!" It was exactly what I needed to hear.

I need more imput as well. There is nothing like hands on to understand what to do and what not to do. Can you share some of the good advise?
Jayne

She really stressed that good enough isn't really good enough. That paying attention to the size of your stitches - as tiny as you can make them and as evenly as you can space them - is worth the effort. She showed me several areas where you couldn't see my stitches at all on the front of the piece and then places where you could see stitches. It makes a difference in how smooth the piece looks and, again, she stressed that it's worth the effort to make that happen. I'm not sure I can achieve her level because my eyes aren't that great anymore. Some of what she saw quickly I had to squint to see, but she was right and I'm going to give it a try. I'll see how consistent I can be on the next one. But I think that between sewing, watching tv, talking to DH, petting cats on my lap and sipping on my hot tea, I may always have a few stitches that are visible. LOL I can do much better than I did and each month I should improve more; some of the family distractions are things I like though and so I'll have to work around them.

Kate, I understand the "old eyes" thing only too well! I spent a ton of $$ about a year ago to have my eyes examined and it turned out I needed BIFOCALS! Yikes! Well, I got them and I liked them for about 2 minutes. The problem I had was that I lost almost all of my mid-range focus, which is not very good for quilting or cake decorating.

I solved the problem by going to the dollar store (who knew?) and purchased TWO pair of inexpensive "cheaters" -- reading glasses at different strengths. One pair is terrific for seeing well as I sit at the machine. The other is much stronger and is perfect for hand sewing, especially the tiny, fine detail I need to see and sew on my applique work.

Do I ever wear the bifocals? Not anymore. Maybe some day they'll find their way to my face again, but I chalk it up to a lesson learned the hard way.

And by all means, keep working on your technique. It's the best way to get even better. Keep up the good work!