Appleton Dance

  by Linda Theil I saw this method of splicing two pieces of quilted fabric on a YouTube video and wanted to make a note of the process. In addition to the quilt pieces you will be splicing, you will need a one-inch wide strip and a 1.5-inch wide strip -- both as long as the splice you need to make. Lay the 1.5-inch wide strip right side up on a surface and place the back of one piece of the quilted fabric to be spliced on top of the strip. Place the one-inch wide strip right side down on top, sandwiching the quilted fabric between the strips. Stitch all three layers together with 1/4-inch seam. Fold the 1.5-inch strip away from the seam. Place the second piece of quilted fabric, right side down, on top of the one-inch strip. Stitch the second piece of quilted fabric to the one-inch strip with 1/4-inch seam. This is what the splice looks like when you flip the just-stitched quilted fabric open. This is what the back of the splice looks like when you flip the entire workpi...

by Linda Theil The topic of my quilt-study-group sew-along was "transparency", but the only experience I had with creating the illusion of transparency was with a Shea Henderson free pattern called "The Buffalo Check Quilt" . I was fascinated by this pattern and created an AppletonDance post on the topic in 2016, but never got to explore the concept as I wished. Until yesterday when I planned to come up with a "transparency" concept to work on during the sew-along.  But the buffalo-check pattern makes specific demands in terms of fabrics, and I didn't have the necessary clear color and associated "blend" to work with. From what I understood, I needed a clear bright color and a grayed-out version of the same color to create the illusion of a woven buffalo check pattern. I had no grayed-out fabric! I had gray jelly-roll strips, though. And gray is the grayed-out version of what color?  Oh, my gosh; I can make a White Buffalo! And I did. 2.5-in...

  by Linda Theil  "I have an urgent need for body wash, shampoo, and conditioner," Candice Olrich said. "The school year will be starting in a few weeks and hygiene items are heavily requested. I have some of those items in stock, but not much"  Olrich is the Livingston Educational Service Agency's student services specialist assigned to assist homeless and displaced children in Livingston County. The "Education Project" program for homeless and displaced children serves between 300-500 children yearly and is funded through various government resources, but also relies on private donations and grants to directly meet student needs, according to the LESA website . That's where we come in! If you can help stock the shelves with bodywash, hair conditioner, and shampoo, please send or deliver items to LESA, 1425 W. Grand River Avenue, Howell MI 48843. You can contact Candice Olrich at 517-980-2041, or candiceolrich@livingstonesa.org. If you prefer, sen...

 by Linda Theil Series of small, 8x4x2-inches, Spencer-Ogg "Popping Pods" in fabric from "BirdSong" collection by Pat Sloan for Benartex. Filled with Hershey kisses for birthday-party favors.

 by Linda Theil May 2023 Three large, 14 x 8-inches, Spencer Ogg "Popping Pods with matching wristlets in "Line Work" collection by Tula Pink for Free Spirit. Inside large "Popping Pod" lined, with small pocket and magnetic pocket closure Below: Spencer-Ogg "Clamshell Sling" in cotton canvas exterior with lining from "Filigree" collection by Zen Chic for Moda. Adaptations include double zip that made finishing the top easier, is useful, and looks cool. I also substituted an adjustable crossbody strap instead of the traditional side-buckle release. April 2023 Noodlehead's "Sandhill Sling" in "Hedgehog Hollow" collection by In the Beginning Fabrics.

by Linda Theil The medium-sized Spencer-Ogg “Perfectly Popping Pouch” with wide base and handles makes a nice 8x4x4-inch Easter basket. This fabric is from the “Guess How Much I Love You” collection from Clothworks. For making a basket, we like this single-handled style better than the tote-style double handle shown in the pattern directions. To make the single handle, a ttach one end of 12–inch handle in the center top instead of attaching both ends of the handle to one side, as directed in the pattern. Feed the loose end of the handle through the open bottom of the interior pocket. Then fold and stitch the basket sides as directed. After turning through the basket, stitch the loose-end of handle to the center of the  opposite top side of the basket as shown below. With the addition of a recessed zipper, and an adjustable base this same pattern can be used to create a zippered pouch.   The bag shown below is the medium-sized Spencer-Ogg "Perfectly Popping Pouch" with...