Thanks to EVERYONE who participated in Sew Along Day on Saturday! We had participants from all over the world! The map below shows participants here on my website, and on Facebook we had people from France, the U.K., South Africa, Canada, and all over the U.S.!! Wow! I really can’t believe it. Isn’t it wonderful how technology allows all of us with common interests to get together at the same time and do something that we love, and then share it with people all over the world?? Amazing….
On Facebook, some people shared photos of the projects they were working on:
And we got to see the scenery where some of you were located:
We had a few technical difficulties…. During the first hour, our power went out, and took our internet with it!! I looked at my husband and said, “Oh Darn!!!!!” (OK, I don’t think I used the word ‘darn,’ LOL!!!) It was 10 minutes before I had to do my next post…. We grabbed everything, including the dog, and threw it into the car. We sped to my husband’s office (which is 20 minutes away, but we made it in 15!!) My second post was only 12 minutes late, I think. Then, as we sat there, the internet at his office was going in and out….. but we managed to keep up. Finally, during the last 10 minutes of the Sew Along, something happened with my website!!! Are you kidding me?? It came back up on its own, and my final post was only 2 minutes late. Yikes!!! Makes me wonder if this guy was upset that he didn’t get invited to the Sew Along…
I decided to pull out a sample block I had made for Cozy Afternoon, and try adding some wool applique. It came out even prettier than I had imagined:
I shared a video about getting started with wool applique. A lot of you have told me that you are interested in wool applique, but don’t know how to get started. This video will tell you exactly what you need, and show you how to get started (you probably already have most of the supplies you need in your sewing supplies.)
Of course, we gave away lots of prizes, like fabric, thread, books and patterns. Thanks again to our sponsors, Christa Quilts and Aurifil Thread!!
And I even shared a little tiny snippet of the 2016 Block of the Month!
In other news- the fall issue of The Art of Home Free Emagazine will be sent out next week! Woo hoo! If you’re not signed up yet, please click here. You will get a free hexie table runner pattern, other goodies, and you will be on the list to receive the fall issue when it goes out next week.
Here is what you will find in the Fall 2015 issue:
Plus more….
I would consider it a favor if you could please tell all of your friends about the emagazine! You can share this post to Facebook and Twitter, or email it to your friends, using the “share” buttons below my signature! Thank you :)
Hi Jacquelynne. Thanks for the great tutorial. I have a wool swap coming up for next month and your tutorial has certainly helped. I haven’t used wool for applique before and have kept putting it off. I’ll be more prepared now and ready to start. Hugs, Christine
Great, Christine! It’s really very simple, you just need some simple tips to get yourself started! Have a great time at the wool swap- that sounds like so much fun :)
I was so sorry not to link up with you all but got delayed and did not get home in time, maybe next time you will have a visitor from the UK. Will watch your video on wool applique, need to learn how to applique. Looking forward to the new BOM, finally decided to try the 2014 as I am up to date with the 2015 but somehow only have 5 of the blocks downloaded. Never mind have many things I want to do!
I know Margaret- too many projects, not enough time!!!
Thanks for the video! I purchased a few wool kits from Primitive Gatherings a while back, and they suggest using Steam A Seam… such a pain. And, apparently, completely unnecessary! This kind of makes me want to pull out the wool table topper UFO that has been waiting over a year… now I know I can just ignore all the fusible I already have on the pieces I cut, and just use Roxanne’s or pins!
Robyn, I have done the Steam a Seam II lite method and the freezer paper method. I use roxanne’s glue with the freezer paper instead of pins. It makes it more transportable. But, do not glue in the areas you will be trying to sew with a needle as it is really hard to get through the glue. If the pieces are small I like the Steam a Seam method. There seems to be times to use one over the other. I like to use Pearl Cotton size 12 thread and a buttonhole stitch. As far as using wool that has come from clothing, it needs to be felted and that mean washing it in a top loading washer with the hottest water possible and then drying it in the dryer. Press the wool with a pressing cloth. Jacquelynne needed to be more specific in this area. You can always google how to felt wool and get the directions. Otherwise, this was a great tutorial.
Thanks for all of the additional tips, Deb :)
Robyn, I have never used any kind of fusible with wool applique- one of the things I like about wool is how easily the needle moves through the wool- like “butta”!!! One time when it might be helpful to use a lightweight fusible is if your pieces are really tiny and you want to be sure they are held very securely so you don’t lose them, or if you are using a wool with a very loose weave that’s fraying a lot, and you want to make it more “sturdy”. Please see Deb’s comments with some other helpful tips.
Thank you for all your hard work, I cant wait tell next year to do it again, I love the sew a longs and they just about got my room done so I can get in there and sew, I am getting very antsy waiting on them to finish it, its been a long time coming and I am so ready to get in there and start sewing all these projects. Thank you again for all your work and for your kindness. GOD bless
Hi Penny! Thanks for your nice comment :) I’m so glad that you enjoyed the Sew Along and BOM!
well that was great, I do so love hearing from you and seeing what you are up to
I think maybe next time I would like to join in the sew along day. I am also from Australia and it was nice to see that you had some happy people from here.
Thanks again, Im now looking forward to you upcoming E-Magazine.
Happy days
Gayle
Gayle- it’s really hard for me to find a time that’s good for everyone! I understand that getting up at 2 am in Australia might be a little inconvenient… maybe next time you could invite some friends over and have an overnight sewing party :)
How beautiful are your stitches in wool. I would love to try my hand at it too. Thank you.
Yes, give it a try, Carol Ann! I think you’ll like it :)
I enjoyed the SewAlong as it gave me the excuse/permission to just sew for three hours with no interruptions, but feeling like I had some company. So thank you! Looking forward to the finishing instructions for Cozy Afternoon.
Yes, that’s a good point Sharon! You can have some peace and quiet to sew, AND have company at the same time!
Great tutorial! I am looking forward to getting started with some wool projects. I’ve done a lot of shopping, and now it’s time to open those packages, and get sewing!
Thanks for all the helpful tips!
Grace- the shopping is half the fun, lol…
Thankyou so much for the video tutorial and your wonderful magazine. I have just started using wool and was pleasantly surprised to see your projects. I look forward to the latest edition.
Thanks, Ondrea! Hope you found the video tutorial helpful :)
Great video Jacquelynne!!! As always, full of fun and tasty ideas :*)
Thanks! I am trying to do more videos… I had my husband do the camera work for that one. It’s really hard to do on your own, but I’m working on it! He can’t always come home from work on his lunch break to help, like he did for the wool video!!
Love your creativity and thanks for the tutorial! Rosemarie
Thanks Rosemarie!! Glad you liked it!
So awesome to have people sewing along from all over the world!
Yes, that is really my favorite part, Kathy!
I had a ball with the sew-a-long with all the Ladies! I got my block done and got to chat with you and a few others!! I am looking forward to the finish on the Cozy and seeing the next BOM! I will be signing up for that for sure! I am also excited about the Fall E-zine love reading it and all the goodies there in!! I have made a few of your yummy dishes for dinners/lunch and they are great! Thanks for all you do and share with us!! I am trying to pick out the next one of your patterns to do!! Thank you sew sew much <3
Great tutorial, I have been doing wool applique projects for several years, however have always used floss or perle cotton now I will be looking for wool thread to try!
Thank you
Glad you found it helpful! Yes, wool thread adds a different texture, and it comes in gorgeous colors :)
Sounds like you all had great fun, despite the trials, for the Sew Along. No chance for me to link up as travelling through the outback in Australia- this is my first internet connection since leaving home on 4th September! Love the Fall ezine thank you. And will finish my BOM when we get home again in December.