Favourite Products for Needleturn Appliqué

I have some new favourite products so over the next few days I will review them for you. 

I mentioned in this post that using the right materials makes a huge difference to how your work turns out and since Joanne asked what needle and thread I was using I will start with those.  I have struggled with needleturn appliqué for years, I keep trying though and while I am now by no means an expert I think I have finally found the joy in it.

So what products made the difference for me?  I started using a fine needle, specifically a size 11 Milliners Needle.  It is fine and flexible and indeed the needle I have been using is quite bent, I think it has molded to suit how I stitch.  I love it both for paper piecing and for needleturn.

At present we are stocking the Size 11, but as you can see other sizes are available and I would be happy to order these in for you.

The next thing is the Bottomline Threads, they are superfine and just disappear into your fabric.  I have one of the Super Bobs which includes 35 threads and they are fantastic, particularly since I tend to use bright fabrics it gives me a full pallette to work with.  Of course they are available individually, just let me know what colours you usually work with and I will order them in for you.

I think this little nearly finished pin cushion is the best to show you how the stitches all but disappear.

I hope the photo is close enough for you to see.  Even after stuffing it quite full the threads are not too visible.

Lipgloss Girls - Red Brolly

I know, I know three blog posts in one day - it must be the heat!  Actually it is just because I am so excited about all the new patterns and projects I want to tell you about.

I heard from Bronwyn today that she has some new patterns ready for release.  I rang the distributor to order some but they are not in stock yet.  Don't fear though, because I ordered them anyway, so as soon as he has them Peter will be sending them on to me so I can send them on to you.  I know I want to make one or two.... they are so much fun.

So here they are the

You can see all of the new patterns here.  I am more than happy to take pre-orders, just let me know which pattern you need and I'll make sure there is one on it's way to you as soon as they arrive.

Thanks Bronwyn - they are gorgeous!

Splish Splash ~ Beach Bag by Rachel Measham-Pywell from four wise monkeys

Just in time for summer Rachel has put together a great tutorial for an appliqued beach bag.  It would make a lovely gift, along with some goggles, flippers and a fluffy beach towel.

You will find the tutorial here.

I've uploaded this tutorial as a pdf so you will need to download it.  Let me know what you think of this way?  Do you prefer to see them all on your screen and the print them if you like them?

Boutique Baby Bibs by Lisa Cox

Lisa has taken the cutest bundle of fabrics and made the most gorgeous boutique baby bibs, featuring applique and paper piecing.  They're so, so cute.

You will find the fabrics here, here, here and here.  We have more Minny Muu and Lecien basics to load on the website, so stay tuned and if you are looking for bias trim you will find that here.

You will find the tutorial here.  Thanks Lisa.

Click to Carry Bag by Rachel Measham-Pywell from Four Wise Monkeys

This is the last of the QFD Creative Teams projects from their storage challenge.  This one is so cute, and very useful and your children will love it.

I think even my slightly older children would like one of these to take with them on car trips.  They usually take books, pens and bits and pieces with them when we travel so these would be incredibly handy.  See how they fit onto the back of the car seat.

Thanks Rachel for another fantastic project.  We have put together a kit for you if you would like to make one in the same fabrics.  You will find the tutorial here.