6/02/2016

Crafted Applique & Two Giveaways!

Hello everyone, welcome to my stop on the Crafted Applique Blog Hop !
When I first learned of my friend Lara's new AQS book being published about NO FRAY raw edge applique, I was so excited to know her secret. Then I saw the book cover sneak peek and I was already sold, without even knowing the contents. Look at this camper, so fun!

Photo From BuzzinBumble

I really couldn't imagine what different technique she had come up with that wasn't already out there. The day I learned the answer to this mystery, it was a true WOW moment! Seriously, it was almost too great to be true. When my book arrived I immediately went to the back to see the projects. I do this with every new book I get :) It's really hard to pick a favorite but this one really caught my eye. I can see it hung above my little fireplace come this fall. All the projects are just as stunning. The best part is, now I, and you, can do this too!!

Photo From BuzzBumble

Lara starts by comparing other applique techniques with her method. The pros and cons, the process, supplies etc. I love that she added so much detail to really clarify her process. I know exactly what I need and how to use it. She evens tells us how to prepare lighter fabrics so the background does not show through. There are lots of tips and tricks that are very handy and helpful!

I received my Sweetwater project box at the same time as my Crafted Applique book. I had already missed the boat on Lori Holt's new sew along. So I decided to use a pillow pattern from Sweetwater and some Lori Holt fabric to try my hand at Lara's method for no fray raw edge applique. I have only done a couple applique projects and neither were raw edge. I was always scared of fraying edges and things not being tidy. That said, I was super excited to see if this worked for me like it does for Lara.


The answer is yes! It works just as good as she said it would. I found the fabric prep to be simple and kinda fun actually. I had reservations about how the pieces may feel after preparing it. I was pleasantly shocked at how soft and flexible it stayed. No bulk like a piece that has fusible or sew in interfacing on it! I used a pair of Sew Mate embroidery scissors to cut out my shapes. These little things are sharp and worked so awesome for this! I kept thinking, omg, I really did this, and it was EASY! And it's not going to fray! No more deciding on the zillion kinds of interfacing. One thing I loved was the ability to have the fabric adhere with placement, yet it was easily re-positioned. My stem was moved quite a few times and it always "stuck" again each time. Notice the edges of my background piece above, then the applique? Yep, it never frayed! I took a close up shot so you can see it after sewing.


Lara explains her recommendations in the book. I used a Janome blue tip, size 11, needle and Aurifil 50 wt thread. They both worked beautifully. You could still use a blanket, zig zag, satin stitch or whatever pleases you, I chose to just straight stitch close to the edge.


One of my grand daughters came outside as we were taking pictures, so I figured she was a pretty good backdrop :) Say hello to Amie!


I forgot to take a photo but the pillow back is also Lori Holt, Sew Cherry fabric. I really wanted to try to keep this short but it's already getting long, bear with me a bit longer as there are prizes involved!

This is an honest review of Lara's book folks. Not because she's super dooper talented, one of the nicest people you could ever meet, or just because she's my friend! If you have ever wanted to try applique, any kind of applique, I really hope you will try Lara's method. It IS new and different from anything I've seen elsewhere. The possibilities are endless. I love that it allows for really tough designs to become doable by anyone. It's also awesome for quick projects like my pillow. I feel so blessed to have been included in introducing you to a new, must have, tool for us quilters :) Be sure to visit Lara's blog BuzzinBumble because she is giving away all the books in my first photo and some other awesome goodies during the hop!! Each week she also shares sneak peeks of the projects from her book. All of us bloggers on the tour also have a copy to give away as well! If you can't wait and want a copy now, go here for a signed copy on sale, or here on Amazon or at AQS and if you win a copy she has kindly offered to refund your money! I told you she's a keeper :)

Tomorrow, Saturday, June 4th, the next stop is Darlene Simmons from Quilt Shop Gal so be sure to visit her too. There are weeks of stops and you can find the complete list on Lara's blog here. Be sure to visit everyone so you don't miss some awesome projects that have been shared. Lara's giveaway winners will be announced on Sunday, June 5th, so don't waste any time getting over to her blog!

If you've made it this far in my post, thank you! I have two giveaways right here friends! Lara is offering a copy of Crafted Applique to one very lucky reader. I am offering the pillow cover I made above to another reader. It will just be the cover, not the pillow form. Simply leave a comment and I will draw two names on June 8th at 6 PM MT. Winner will be announced here and emailed so PLEASE make sure you are not a no reply blogger. Leave your email in your comment if you aren't positive so I can contact you. Thanks for stopping by!
GIVEAWAY CLOSED

Linking Up: Let's Be Social at Sew Fresh Quilts, Linky Tuesday at Free Motion by the River, Sew Cute Tuesday at Blossom Heart Quilts, TGIFF at Devoted Quilter, The Giveaway Roundup Fabric Frenzy Friday at Fort Worth Fabric Studio, Can I Get A Whoop Whoop at Confessions of a Fabric Addict and Finish It Up Friday at Crazy Mom Quilts

89 comments:

  1. I love your pillow. My applique needs help so I should get this book.

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  2. Chris, thank you for such a wonderful write up and review of my book! You shared some helpful details about the book that people following the hop have not seen yet and that's so fun!

    Your pillow design and fabric choices are so sweet and cheerful and I love the close up detail photo with your wonderful stitching! The pillow is fabulous and you know I've loved it from the first moment you showed me, but I have to say that sweet little Amie steals the show. :) What a cutie-pie!

    You made me blush up a storm and get all teary eyed. Everything you said, I'd say right back at ya Chris! It's so generous of you to plan to give such a pretty pillow cover away and someone will be a lucky reader indeed!

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  3. Lara is definitely a keeper! Thanks for your honest review Christine. You've made me excited to try it! I already won the book on an IG giveaway, but that pillow cover though! Thanks for the chance to win it. =)

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  4. Would love to learn how to appliqué . Love your pillow x
    Iain.ross30 at gmail dot com

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  5. Oh thank you so much for sharing and I just love how your pillow turned out! So cute! And I definitely must have this book, lol!

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  6. I am loving all of the projects on this blog hop, this new method of applique is awesome!

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  7. Amie, you are a stunning model, and this photo is a keeper!!Another super example of Lara's no fray method for applique, the background fabric is something out of the box, and a super finish.And you are another very generous blogger. Cheers from a cold , way down south, New Zealand.

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  8. So many gorgeous projects in this blog hop; I would love to learn and use this new method!

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  9. A lovely spring fresh pillow. The method of applique used seems to be a winner!
    fabricstasher24@gmail.com

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  10. I am so impressed by the work I am seeing by everyone on this hop. It looks like a great book.

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  11. How cute. I love working with applique and this sounds perfect for me.

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  12. I'm intrigued about Lara's appliqué technique.

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  13. I am intrigued and would love a copy of this book.

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  14. Your edges look REALLY neat--I am so excited about trying this technique!

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  15. Now I'm curious about how to do raw edge applique without messy raw edges. I usually choose not to applique because I hate the prep. Interested to learn more about Lara's method.

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  16. Your pillow turned out very cute and the book sounds like it is full of good instruction for applique. Thanks for the giveaway and chance to win.

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  17. wow your pillow is lovely and cute. But I have to say your granddaughter steals the show. LOL She is adorable.
    quilting dash lady at comcast dot net

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  18. I have not done much applique and would love to learn Lara's technique. Thanks!

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  19. I've always been afraid of fraying edges too! I would love to try Lara's method!

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  20. Your pillow is cute. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  21. i can't wait to try this new technique. love the pillow cover.

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  22. I think it is great to have a new technique to try for applique. Your pillow cover turned out so cute.

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  23. Love how your pillow cover turned out! Thanks for the opportunity to win this or the book! I am so intrigued about this method of applique.
    kakingsbury at verizon dot net

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  24. Such a pretty pillow cover for summer! I love it. :-)

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  25. How exciting! I MUST have Lara's book! I have so enjoyed this blog hop, the first I have followed through on the whole thing. Your pillow cover is amazing, too!

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  26. Love your pillow (and your model is very cute!) Thanks for sharing - I am so interested in trying Lara's method!! mumbird3(at)gmail(dot)com

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  27. Very cute, thanks, I am interested in her method!
    cork@pa.rr.com

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  28. Your pillow turned out so cute! I am also interested in trying Lara's method! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  29. I am definitely trying this method! Everything I've seen has turned out lovely!

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  30. It's my BD so it would be awesome to win!! I am very curious about her method. Your pillow is a cutie:-)

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  31. I've been reading so much about this book on the various blog. I love the appliqued tree... how perfect it would be for the holiday season! Thanks for the chance to win.

    Your pillow turned out great!

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  32. Love that cheerful happy pillow cover. Thank you for the chance to win.

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  33. Just started getting interested in appliqué. Cute pillow cover.

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  34. Would love to leran applique, previous experiences were not so pretty. Thanks for the opporunity. Darlene dhoctor@sbcglobal.net

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  35. Hmmm...not sure which is sweeter...your grand-daughter Amie or the pillow! Both are lovely indeed! I'm anxious to learn Lara's secret to appliqueing without frayed edges. Your modern flower is a great example to show how the technique works. Give Amie a hug for me!

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  36. What beautiful pictures! I adore the pillow cover, this book looks like a definite for me! Thanks for the chance to win

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  37. Seeing is believing! Beautiful clean edges on the applique! Love your fabric too!

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  38. I really must learn this technique! Lara's book looks great and your pillow is just gorgeous. Super cute model too.

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  39. Your pillow cover is so pretty, with such neat stitching! Pretty fabric beneath the appliqué too! I'd love to win Lara's book and learn her technique.
    Barbara xx

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  40. Love, Love LOOOOVE your Pillow cover!! & your Grangirlie is Beautiful too!

    This Tour/Hop has been such fun & full of encouragement! I have tried Applique...was slow at it & just didn't keep at it. This has made me want to give it another try! Love the projects everyone has done.

    Thank you for chance to win your Give-a-way too! :D

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  41. Love, love, love that pillow! Beautiful ideas! On my to do list now! Lcrouch55@hotmail.com

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  42. What a sweet little pillow. All of these applique posts are really starting to make me want to give it a go. :)

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  43. You did a beautiful job with the pillow cover, and your model is priceless! Thanks for sharing the giveaway!

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  44. my next quilt is to be an applique for an auction--- I need to learn a better method. thank you both for the giveaway

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  45. Looking forward to trying this new technique!

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  46. I love applique and I've been very curious about Lara's new method as I've been reading blog posts about the book. I just told my husband that I am now convinced and I have to get the book and check it out! Your pillow cover is beautiful, and a granddaughter always makes a good model :) Thanks for linking to TGIFF this week.

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  47. Very cute pillow ty for sharing she looks very happy... happyness04431@yahoo.com

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  48. Lovely pillow and model! I would like to try this applique method. Thanks for the giveaway chance. refusestofear at yahoo dot com

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  49. Your pillow came out beautiful! Would also love to win a copy of this book. chocolatewiskers@aol.com

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  50. Your pillow is beautiful. I am intriqued with this method and would love to have the book. Thanks for sharing.
    joyecox@yahoo.com

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  51. Good review! You sold me, I'd like to try this method. Thanks for the giveaway

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  52. Great review and your flower pillow is beautiful!

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  53. Beautiful model and pillow. I too am interested in the applique method.

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  54. What great give aways! Your pillow is fabulous and the aplique method intrigues me.

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  55. I really like your pillow cover. All of the blogs have had such cute ideas, and with all the projects in Lara's book, what will I do next?? Thanks for the opportunity to win the pillow cover and a copy of Lara's book.

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  56. The pillow cover is just adorable...I'd be more than happy to give it a loving home. I'm really curious about Lara's technique. I'm assuming it involves using a liquid agent of sorts...maybe like Mod Podge or a homemade version????....just a guess....I've given it a great deal of thought. I would love to know how to get such neat applique without the stiffness of a fusible. Thank you for the chances to win.

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  57. Your pillow and your prop are just darling!!! I have wanted to do Lori's QAL too. The flowers have all been so sweet. Lara's technique would be perfect for it.

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  58. Sweet pillow, so is that cute granddaughter of yours!!:) I have yet to try applique but really want to try it, just need to work up the nerve! LOL

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  59. Great pillow any little girl would love. I have always wanted to learn applique but it really looks difficult.
    gandn74@ymail.com

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  60. Love your pillow!! I so want to try this appliqué method.
    sweetpeamarie2003@yahoo.com

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  61. I'm intrigued about Lara's appliqué technique ! Can't wait to know...

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  62. I would love to learn Lara's technique. I have tried, in the past, to master machine applique, but after a few washings, it looks bad.

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  63. Cute pillow! I am so interested to learn what this new technique is. Fingers crossed and thanks for sharing.

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  64. I have done 3 different types of applique.

    Raw edge - using wonder under then a small zigzag around the edges.

    Turned edge - Freezer paper and starch
    - Needleturn

    I let the type of project determine which method I use.

    Would love to give this book a good home.

    syvisser@gmail(dot)com

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  65. This looks a great book - I love your cushion!

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  66. Oh my gosh, this is great. Years ago I ordered an applique block of the month that I have not started as I just couldn't come up with a method that I thought I might be able to use for the whole thing. This sounds like the perfect method. Thank you for the awesome giveaway (love your pillow).

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  67. Your pillow is so sweet. Lori's fabric are just perfect for it. What a sweet heart your granddaughter is to pose for such a cute picture.
    Hugs
    donna

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  68. I agree that both Lara and her book are wonderful!!

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  69. What a cute summer pillow! Thanks for the chance to win!

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  70. Like your pillow alot and can't wait to try this technique myself!!

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  71. Your appliqué flower turned out just perfect! What a brilliant method, whatever it is! You have certainly all kept the secret over the past few weeks. Well done.
    Thank you for providing the chance to win.

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  72. This has been such a fun blog hop, sew many wonderful projects by all the bloggers. A big thank you to all.

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  73. Your granddaughter is adorable! And so is the pillow :) Thank you for sharing!

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  74. Hi, Amie; that was so nice of you to help Gma. :) I love your pillow and I know I'm going to love this new applique method.

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  75. Clever use of the method. Looking forward to using it myself.

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  76. I love your pillow. I hope I win the book but if not I will try to find it at my quilt shop.
    Swoot@att.net

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  77. The book looks lovely and the pillow is adorable.

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  78. Thanks for the giveaways. I'm intrigued by this new technique and your pillow is so pretty.
    annamariehlustik@googlemail.com

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  79. Your granddaughter is an adorable 'backdrop' for your sweet pillow, such a perfect pattern for those fabrics! Isn't it just SUCH a terrific method? I have a bajillion ideas flitting around in my brain!

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  80. Such a darling pillow, June 8th is my daughters birthday I can't wait to try Lara's technique. grecomara at gmail dot com

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  81. Love your pillow, I have never tried to applique but have thought about it many times for shirts and bags and now pillows. Thanks for a great giveaway!
    trishden948(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  82. Wow! Great job! I need to learn more about Applique.

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  83. Beautiful cushion - it is adorable. Looks like a good book to have as well!!

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  84. Christine! What an awesome post chalk full of great information! I saw your earlier posts on Instagram, but I was too frazzled with graduation parties, etc. to hop over here and read this! I definitely want to try this some day. I haven't done a raw edge applique in a long time because I do not like the fray! I will definitely try this though! I know you are as fussy as I am, so I'm sure this is a winning method! Wow!! We learn something new every day!! AND your granddaughter is a DOLL!! ;)

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