October 5, 2009

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I’ve been looking forward to delving into this month’s book, Dream Landscapes: Artful Quilts with Fast-Piece Appliqué by Rose Hughes. Landscapes, art quilts…. totally out of my arena and it’s always interesting to learn new things to throw into one’s appliqué bag of tricks.

Rose tells us, “Fast-Piece Appliqué is a method of construction that makes easy work of sewing curves, circles, and many designs that you thought were too difficult to put together.”

Once I read through the process, it was one of those V8 Moments. Wow, it really makes a lot of sense!

Rose’s method employs tracing paper, freezer paper templates, and machine-sewing the pieces together from the front… simple and direct. She takes us through a small teaching project first and then provides several patterns and a beautiful gallery of her own and her students’ work for inspiration.

example1.jpgLook at those beautiful flowing curves!

example2.jpgCircles sewn without clipping or pinning!

The book includes a quick tutorial on color, full and detailed step-by-step instructions for Fast-Piece Appliqué, and a lot of information on yarn, which is couched over the top of the stitching lines to delineate the shapes and cover raw edges. The couching also provides the initial quilting.

Then the author takes us through the steps of sandwiching, further quilting, and binding these pieces of wall art, followed by a wonderful section on embellishing with embroidery stitches and beading.

Until next time,
Kay
By Kay Mackenzie

Comments

5 Responses to “Dream Landscapes”

  1. Carol Hansen on October 7th, 2009 5:58 am

    The book looks very interesting. I’ve added it to my birthday wish list and given it to my husband :)

  2. Exploring Embellishments : All About Applique on April 12th, 2011 9:57 am

    […] Rose is the author of Dream Landscapes, which was previously featured here on the blog. […]

  3. Mary Reed on April 13th, 2011 3:26 pm

    Rose’s new book sounds wonderful!!! I also have to purchase her “Dream Llandscapes” book. What a trip!

  4. Susan Stanke on April 13th, 2011 3:44 pm

    The book of embellishments looks absolutely wonderful. Thank you for sharing it with us!

  5. Lyletta Groves on May 11th, 2011 12:38 pm

    Just discovered this wonderful web. I am now going to search through my library and see if I have Dream Landscapes. I remember the cover if I can’t find am going to order this
    lovely book Thank you. Will return to this web