I have started another one of those By Thy Hands projects by Buttermilk Basin. The pieced block is Spools, as you can see. I used striped fabric in the hope that it will help in the illusion of thread being on the spools. The wool applique is of a tomato pincushion and a spool of thread with a little blackbird sitting on top of it. My applique work is on hold until I receive some black wool from an Etsy order I placed. I thought I had over a yard of black wool, but when I opened the package, it was black cotton flannel instead!!! How does anyone use black flannel in applique? I am mystified as to why I purchased it or what the heck I will ever do with it.
These little By Thy Hands projects finish at about 10 1/2" by 15 1/2". About the size of a small placemat. So far, I am really enjoying them. The piecing adds a nice touch and the applique is simple for a beginner like me.
I have had the best luck buying from Etsy sellers. Most sellers really appreciate the business and are super quick to ship out. I placed my order on Monday with three different sellers, and by gosh, on Tuesday morning I was notified that everything had already shipped! I only had an issue once when I bought a fabric bundle from an Etsy seller. The purchase information said that my order had shipped, but I never received it and there was no tracking information. When I tried to contact the seller, they had closed up their shop and disappeared! I contacted Etsy and they gave me an immediate refund. I will never know if the seller tried to trick me or if it was some kind of a genuine mistake. At any rate, Etsy made good on it.
Hope your week got off to a good start. My walking friend and I are going "shopping" today at a town about an hour away from where we live. I have Hobby Lobby, Target, and maybe Bath and Body Works on my list to places to go. And lunch at Panera! Woo hoo.
I have used flannel in applique several times and it is fun to work with. The Maywood flannel is very nice and feels like wool. I also have liked usung Etsy. Have you looked at Shabby Fabrics Winter Solstice block of the month? It incorporates your snowflake block.
Posted by: Betty | January 15, 2020 at 05:38 AM
Super cute, Nicole. I've never used wool and I'm wondering why wool is used? Is it better? or for the texture?? Thanks.
Posted by: T Holzer | January 15, 2020 at 05:46 AM
Have a great day Nicole! Your little mat is adorable!
Posted by: Nancy Watkins | January 15, 2020 at 07:52 AM
The 'thread' fabrics are a great idea! I've never ordered from Etsy, but placed one from Spoonflower for the first time this past weekend. I'm anxious to receive my fabrics because they're exactly what I need for a fiber arts project. Here's hoping! 🤞
Posted by: Jan | January 15, 2020 at 09:20 AM
oh, that is an adorable pattern! would you feel comfortable sharing the sellers on etsy? I just bought some wool from a seller in NY. I needed black, too. ;p it was a good experience.
Posted by: Ina | January 15, 2020 at 10:00 AM
Lots of cute stuff happening at your house! I made a pile of "to be completed quilts". The fun part for me is making the top. Getting it all finished is another story. Maybe the quilt fairy will appear?? 😂
Mary
Posted by: Mary Kastner | January 15, 2020 at 01:37 PM
I like to use flannel as my background fabric for wool applique. Love your spool blocks. Great idea for the striped fabric!! =:)
Posted by: Karen | January 15, 2020 at 06:24 PM
I’ve used flannel several times instead of wool. Mods and Maywood have beautiful flannel. The LQS that I work at owner is allergic to wool so we substitute flannel for any projects that otherwise use wool. Looks the same most of the time and they will never be washed so it doesn’t make much difference. Happy stitching!
Posted by: Michele Klein | January 16, 2020 at 06:31 AM