A few years ago I was fortunate enough to attend a class at my local quilt shop taught by
Pat Sloane. She is a very skilled quilt maker and pattern writer. I was never very interested in traditional applique and fiddling with the
needle turn method. When I heard there was another way to do applique and there was an opportunity to take a class by someone like Pat Sloane, I was all over it! This pattern is called
"Basket Of Hope", and is actually just a small part of a larger pattern. This wall hanging top is what I was able to do during our class time. I finished the quilting and binding at home.
As you can see the applique is held down by decorative blanket stitches...by machine. My little fingers were very relieved.
I really enjoy adding my own creative touches with quilting.
It might be 90 degrees outside but inside I'm thinking of fall. I took a class for this wall hanging several years ago and never finished it. I don't even remember the name of the pattern or who designed it. So with Kim's challenge on her blog Kim's Big Quilting Adventure, I pulled this one out of the UFO pile and FINISHED IT! No it's not quilted, but the top is done...yay!
The leaf blocks are made out of prarie points with many different colors of fabric. If you have never tryed prarie points, you can see how there are done here on about.com
There is even a prarie point border.
I cut out eight assorted leaves and appliqued them onto the cream fabric. I used the raw edge method for the applique. I thought about hand stitching the leaves on ...for about a minute! Then I came to my senses and decided to get this done in August.
I used the free motion foot on my machine and did some "drawing with thread" on the leaves and stems. I have to say this was alot of fun. What took me so long? 
