Always keep learning

     Our guild sponsored a 2 days of classes with Karen Kay Buckley,  http://www.karenkaybuckley.com/index.php. We split her time with other guilds so we could split her expenses. The two other guilds had lectures and classes. I am not much into applique, mostly because my hand sewing is, um, lacking skill and I hate fusibles. Karen does not use fusible. She taught a machine applique class, Kansas Rose, and a hand one, Modern Dahlia. If you ever get a chance to see her, she is an excellent, superb, teacher. I did not finish either project and I will finish the hand one by machine.
   She taught us by using a heat resistant plastic called Templar and Magic Sizing painted on the seam allowance, to turn under the edges so the piece can be sewn on. In the machine applique class, we used clear YLI thread and a blindstitch at 8 stitch bites per inch to secure and I think it looks great. I laughed and laughed at the size of the needle and eye. In my wildest dreams, I don't think I could hand sew an entire block at 8 hand stitches an inch with this needle. 
   I have some other projects to finish before I get to these.

Leaves, stems and flower machine appliqued down with YLI clear

Ha, ha, tiny needle. My attempt at hand applique.

Both projects in process with fabric selection. I have excellent directions from Karen to finish.