Hi Quilters!

Dear Diary Chapter 1 is complete! Before I get into this months Chapter, I’d like to say a quick Thank You for all the kind messages about this quilt and why your making it! Means a lot!! I’m happy to have you along and also thrilled to see so many of you from all over the globe!

Love yourself … more seemed like a good place to begin with this quilt. Every month and each text block will have little sayings or quotes…    Reminders of living a good life, self reflection, positive reminders, goal setting, and inspirational suggestions.

If you haven’t signed up yet, you can sign up with this link:

Dear Diary Block of The Month Quilt-a-Long

Join me anytime!

To me the Chapter 1 quote represents slowing down a little and making time for ME – something women (in general) don’t do enough of. We wear so many hats and do so much for others it’s important to take back a little time and give ourselves a little love.

For this months chapter I used the needle-turn applique technique for the applique shapes and the Love text.

For the needle turn technique you want to:

• Cut out your letters, place them right side up on applique fabric & trace.
• Cut out adding a 1/4″ (don’t cut holes inside the shapes yet)
• baste in place – I like glue-baste-it, no pins to get my thread hooked on
• FINGER PRESS on the lines and trim the seam allowance as you sew, so fraying isn’t an issue.
• Sew the entire perimeter of the applique and then go back to cut out any holes in the applique (like the ‘o’ and ‘e’)

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I decided to add some decorative stitching around my needle-turned applique for fun.

If you like this look I have a pearl cotton bundle to coordinate with the colors I’m using listed in MY SHOP.

I used the fusible method for ‘yourself’ using a blanket stitch by machine. My fusible of choice for this is Steam-a-Seam Lite 2 by the Warm Company. It doesn’t gum my sewing machine needle and what I really like is once I’ve removed the paper backing I can stick my letters in place temporarily and still move them around before I press them in place. Don’t forget you can use your ruler to keep everything straight!

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And for the final text (… more) I traced the letters with a removable marker and stitched on the lines with pearl cotton, which made it super quick and easy. It might not stand out like the applique lettering but I like that it’s just a little whisper of a word.

Thanks for following along! See you next month!

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