Raw Edge Applique | # 2 Intuitive Sewing Basics | Art Quilting | Advanced Tutorial

PLEASE NOTE: If it is 7-8-2022 or after, my website no longer exists. Any patterns or PDF printouts mentioned in this video are no longer available. Sorry for any inconvenience. Currently I am still on Facebook:   / zazusstitchart  
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Free-motion quilt to your heart's content in Part II Raw Edge Applique (REA) Basics. We continue our three projects--tea cozy, trivet or table mat--in 5 steps, paying attention and trusting our reactions to what we are making. Following impulses, keeping the flow going, trusting that if we like it, it is good, and that if we don't like it, it is bad - these are the goals of intuitive sewing and REA. There aren't any mistakes if you like it, it is well-made, and it is beautiful. The final video will post within a week. Please let me know how things are going.
0:00 Part I:    • Raw Edge Applique No Fusing | # 1 tea cozy...  
0:08 If you pin basted because of my other video, sorry. Please pick a different method: 1) Spray; 2) Hand sew; 3) Machine sew; 4) Work flat with minimal machine basting. Free-motion video at time stamp 4:33:    • Free-Motion Quilt a Table Mat | Practice M...  
0:50 To do this, you'll need to practice your free-motion if you aren't proficient already
1:06 Pencil and paper practice: practice drawing yourself in and out of corners; practice changing directions; finding your shapes and the benefit of "making" potholders
4:13 Set up your machine for free-motion quilting; 14 needle is good; all-purpose construction thread in many colors is good for functional work
4:50 Choose thread by your level of free-motion and REA proficiency: beginner - match fabric and threads; intermediate - contrast to fabric but match top & bobbin thread; advanced - contrast fabric and top thread, but use neutral thread in the bobbin (which saves tons of time and bobbins)
5:52 STEP I. BUILD UP BACKGROUND - Start with big shapes; anchoring visually and physically; quickly cover some ground. Contrast in value, not just color.
7:08 All the principles of good design apply: Balance - Emphasis - Movement - Pattern - Repetition - Proportion - Rhythm - Variety - Unity - Contrast - Value - Whimsy - Juxtaposition
8:53 REA BASIC DO's & DON'Ts 1-7: 1) No tiny scraps, 2) Tight stitches at edge of shapes; 3) Don't stitch off your piece; 4) Obsess about bobbin tension a little; 5) Look at it from a distance; 6) Take Care of Your Body; 7) Mark trouble spots that YOU don't like - possibly...ugly puckers, baggy areas, cuts and holes, bobbin thread show through, ugly stitching
12:09 Handy Aids...gloves...marking tools (chalk and washable markers)...spray starch...washable fabric glue stick...curved tip embroidery scissors
16:42 Sketches can be helpful..and sometimes you might sleep on things.
16:55 STEP II. FILL IN MID-GROUND Enhance design with mid-sized, graphic elements and/or organic plant shapes
17:18 MORE REA DO'sand DON'Ts 8-12: 8) Switch thread a lot; 9) Trim to minimize overlap as you go; 10) Manage puckers; 11) Trim a little wiggle; 12) Find your motifs everywhere
18:49 REA skills accrue with time and practice...part of it is your attitude about your own sewing
20:18 My favorite fabric sings on everything
MORE REA DO'sand DON'Ts 13-15: 13) Sew fabrics together if they sing together; 14) Zigzags are more challenging than sinuous lines in terms of stitch quality; 15) Experiment. Go a little crazy. Don't be matchy-matchy. No nitpicking. PLAY
20:56 Later we can do anything to fix mistakes and add embellishments... buttons... beads... ribbons... lace... embroidery... paint... marker... glitter... tassels.. .jewelry parts... to our hearts' content
22:57 STEP III. FOREGROUND Add color highlights, refine composition, make any repairs. Clean backside of loose threads periodically as you go.
26:18 STEP IV. FINAL QUILTING & PLAN EMBELLISHMENTS Quilt between elements, adding detail and dimension; plan final bells & whistles
27:44 STEP V. WASH & DRY Press from behind. Clean up frayed edges. Continue planning final bells & whistles
See you in a week or less!

Raw Edge Applique No Fusing | # 1    • Raw Edge Applique No Fusing | # 1 tea cozy...  
Raw Edge Applique | # 3 Finishing:    • Raw Edge Applique | # 3 Finish Bind | tea ...  

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