Diary in Stitches Blog Tour + Giveaway!
I am so excited to be a part of Minki Kim‘s Diary in Stitches Blog Hop here at WeAllSew!
Minki Kim creates her thread drawings with a special technique detailed in Diary in Stitches. This book includes in-depth explanation of thread drawing with stitches from A to Z, moving from simple projects like a coaster to artful work like a family portrait. And of course there are step-by-step instructions and patterns to make several projects featured in the book, along with over 60 unique and uplifting designs to mix and match.
There are so many fun designs in the book it was hard to choose just one! My first project from the book is a pillow using the design “Good Things Happen When You Go For It,” which features a sweet scene complete with sewing machine and notions!
I have to mention that I actually have a clothes line hanging in my studio to display inspirational bits and photos, just like the little scene from the book.
After enlarging and printing the pattern, I had lots of fun digging through my scrap bins and pulling out just the right fabrics to fill in the appliqué areas of the design. I love saving even the smallest bits of favorite fabrics, and these projects make for the perfect use of those little crumbs of fabric.
The base for my pillow is a white linen fabric with a lovely texture. I used my Wafer Lightbox to help me trace the printed design directly on the fabric, and to trace the appliqué shapes to the paper backed fusible webbing. If you don’t have a light box, you can try placing a light under a small clear plastic bin to help you trace, or even taping your pattern to a window can help.
I just love the little characters on displayed above the sewing machine! Did you see who’s on the left (I couldn’t resist adding a little Spock to my design!).
I chose to work with Open embroidery foot #20C to create the drawing with stitches, the open design gives a clear view of what you’re sewing. It’s a great foot for appliqué or any situation where you want to keep your eye on your stitches as you sew.
I also shortened the stitch length to about 1.6mm, and used the Hover feature when stitching. Hover allows the foot to raise up when I stop sewing in the needle-down position, and this made pivoting and moving in those tight corners a breeze.
I finished the design off as a 12″ x 12″ pillow for my sewing studio, and it fits right in. I really love it!
And it looks like my studio assistant Bea agrees!
Want to see how I created this quick pillow cover featuring an invisible zipper? Come back to WeAllSew soon for my Invisible Zipper Pillow Cover Tutorial!
For a chance to win an ebook of Diary In Stitches, please add a comment below and answer the following question:
What is your favorite quick project to sew with appliqué?
The giveaway is open to all WeAllSew readers. One comment per fan. Comment must be submitted to the WeAllSew.com blog by November 15, 11.59 p.m. Central Time. Winner will be chosen randomly. Winner will be notified by email and will have 48 hours to contact to claim the prize. Good luck!
Used Products
What you might also like
89 comments on “Diary in Stitches Blog Tour + Giveaway!”
-
-
My favorite applique was fixing a mistake in a quilt. I had done a baby quilt and accidentally cut a hole in one of the blocks that I could not repair and I didn’t have fabric to make a new block. I took a scrap, fussy cut a couple little giraffes from the scrap and appliqued them over the hole! Problem solved!
-
My favorite quick appliqué project is small picture quilts I have made for friends. The size can vary but they are generally appoximately 10 x 12” and are personalized to reflect each persons interests. Fun to make and people love them!
-
-
This is so adorable! To make appliqué quick- I fuse it to my project and stitch around!
-
Your pillow is just darling. I like to do raw edge machine appliqué when I use it. Quick and easy!
-
I like doing appliqué on mug rugs best.
-
I don’t know if I have quick applique projects. They all seem to take a long time for me. I like flowers and animals on baby quilts.
-
My favorite quick appliqué project – fabric postcards! This looks like a lovely book, and I really enjoyed your post. Cute pillow!
-
My favorite project to sew with applique is small pillows for the couch or to just snuggle to. they are quick & you can do any theme of applique that you wish or do seasons to give at specific times. Raw edge applique lends itself to an organic carefree form of applique that can go on quickly depending upon your choices. TJenn
-
Pillows
-
When making a bag, such as a tote, applique is just perfect. I love the way you have added to the applique with decorative stitches.
-
Using applique on totes and mug rugs…..always appreciated.
-
-
I just love your work! I make either a pin cushion or a zippered pouch, depending on the recipient.
-
I like to secure down all my applique when I quilt a project. Makes for quicker finishes. The applique is the quilting!!
-
I use appliqué on pre-made aprons.
-
I too fuse then stitch, or sometimes use embroidery machine applique, stitch around, cut away excess fabric, then continue (usually a satin stitch). The embroidery machines can also do reverse applique..
-
My favorite applique projects relate to bags/totes. None of them are very “quick” since I spend a lot of time planning!
-
I like to use appliqué on seasonal items such as wall hangings.
-
I love this loose and free style of applique — it fits perfectly with my journal sketching style! (The ‘Spock’ image is instantly recognizable; so jealous.) I would love to start integrating ‘sewn’ pages into my journal/sketchbook. Mixed media is my latest obsession. Love this book and the article!
-
My favorite project? Little flags for color/texture inspiration.
-
-
I like to use applique on wall hangings, as well as placemats.
-
My favorite quick project to make with applique is to make seasonal mug rugs. It takes so little fabric and leftover batting to do and also fun to make. It makes great hostess gifts.
-
My favorite quick appliqué project is making coffee cozies with coffee cups appliquéd to them. They’re fun and practical.
-
I love to appliqué small designs on Christmas stockings using cork fabric as the base and with the names personalized on the “cuff.” Fill the socks with candy and attach the sock to a loaf of homemade banana bread. It shows the recipient how much you care. I managed 30 sock ornament/gift tags last year.
-
Small project bags, cosmetic bags, etc. Mug rugs are great too!
-
My favorite things to use raw edge appliqué on is wall hangings and placemats.
-
I love to make “big block” baby quilts and add a touch of appliqué that makes the quilt unique. So much fun!
-
I love your clothes line of inspiration. My favorite quick applique project are small art wall quilts. Happy Holidays.
-
An Applique Nursery Rhyme Quilt for my grandson!
-
Pouches are great with a bit of applique.
-
I’m making Mug rugs for all my quilting friends. And placemats for all the great nieces and nephews. Love my new 770!
-
My favorite quick project is to make bags Medium size one with a personalized applique suitable to the giftee.
-
Mug rugs are my favorite quick appliqué project!
-
I love to make mug rugs, gift card holders and little hanging ornaments/garlands.
-
I so much love this book. I love to applique dresses, wagons, fun things onto quilt blocks for children. Also I love to applique dragonflies on my clothing!! I would love to own this book. Thanks for the chance..
-
I love to add applique to the children’s clothing that I make. Would love to win!
-
I enjoy making small table toppers and table runners. Quick and easy although right now I’m finishing an Edyta Sitar quilt with lot’s of appliqué.
-
my favorite small projects are mug rugs. Happy Creating.
-
I’ve been looking at zipper pouches with this technique being used. I need more information.
-
I like to embroider kitchen towels or hand towels as gifts.
-
My favorite quick project to make with applique is t-shirts
-
I don’t have a favorite quick project yet. I would love to try some quick little projects. Perhaps mug rugs, potholders or small pillows. Inexpensive and quick thank you gifts.
-
Minki Kim creates the cutest ideas.
I would like to make a table runner with ideas like these on it.
Perhaps make personalized gifts for a wedding or anniversary, like a center table piece to give as a present. Or a wall hanging quilt. There must be a million ways to use these great ideas of hers and my own. Great looking book. Thank you for the chance to win… -
I like to make applique tote bags
-
Applique blocks to identify tables.at.a.large.party are quick and easy to do. Then with signatures, the blocks can be put together to make a quilt to remember the event..
-
My favorite is to design and applique cosmetic bags. They make great gifts and are so personal!
-
Fabric Postcards! They are a great 4″x6″ ‘playground’ for experimenting with designs, threads, techniques… just add a stamp and send them off to put a smile in someone’s mailbox.
-
First of all, I love, love, love your pillow! So cute! I also like your idea of a clothesline in the sewing room. I will have to think that one over and figure out how it will best serve me. THANX for such a great idea. My favorite quick go-to applique project is either a baby bib or a baby quilt. Quick way to dress something up or make it cutesy! THANX for sharing your talents!
-
Tote bags are quick and a variety of embroidery designs can be used.
-
I enjoy appliqué as a name on baby quilts.
-
I love making baby quilts and appliqueing cute memory items.
-
I like to appliqué many things such as quilts, towels etc but this looks like new creative way to do it.
-
I recently started using appliqué on baby quilts.
-
Needlebooks. You can never have too many and they make great gifts.
-
I love to make baby quilts, but not with baby-themed fabric. Instead, I use bright, contemporary fabrics I think the new mom will especially like. But on each one, I appliqué a couple of stylized bunnies. They are my unique “signature.” My open embroidery foot #20 makes it so easy.
-
Quick appliqué ALWAYS makes zippered pouches special. So easy to make one of a kind, personalized pieces that share the joy of being a maker! From an initial to repeating an element from the fabric to a silly happy flower … just a little bit elevates the piece. I try to incorporate a little surprise on everything I make.
-
Mug rugs are quick and fun applique projects.
-
This is darling thank you sew much for introducing me to this lovely book and the opportunity to win. I love to appliqué but I’m still learning so pillows and quilts are my only appliqué so far. However, I’m thinking this book would open up and entire new world I hadn’t thought of. ?
-
I LOVE making applique mini quilts. I make them for every holiday/season and display them all over my house.
-
I adore handwork, my Mom did beautiful appliqué on quilts. I bought my first Bernina, a 180E to duplicate those beautiful handmade items by machine. I have so many ideas for Christmas ornaments, would love a copy of your book to help me with techniques to complete my ideas. Thanks for the inspiration!
-
Terry towels with hoods for new baby gifts are my favorite applique projects. Altho an applique on anything for the grandkids is fun.
-
Thank you for a great article! Lately I have been making potholders for our quilt guild fundraiser. Thanks for a chance to win her book!
-
My favorite quick applique is to add a small design to purchased or handmade children’s clothing to personalize it.
-
I simply Love machine applique.
-
Applique is really difficult for me. That’s somewhat surprising too, since I love hand work. I keep trying, though, and enjoy using different fonts to create messages on decorative pillows.
-
A table runner with appliquéd vegetables was a wonderful project I made and gave to a gardening friend.
-
I love making mug rugs and small pillows like your pillow in this project! They are fun and quick to do and seem to really brighten up people’s day when I give them away!
-
Applique quilts
-
I love making knitting bags for friends!
-
I love to appliqué baby quilts, pillows, and children’s clothes. One day I want to appliqué a bird quilt. I saw a beautiful one at the National Quilt Museum in Paducah, Kentucky. I hope to tackle one like this when I retire.
-
I’m not that experienced with appliqué, but I like working on small zipper bags. I just love the look of the lines for drawing, very excited about the giveaway!
-
My favorite appliqué projects were a set of scissors pincushions I made from your free patterns for my sewing bee friends! They all loved them! And I still need to make one for myself!
-
I was making a large pillow as a high school graduation gift and machine quilted hands all over the body of the quilt. I used the corner blocks to quilt “okay” hand positions (index finger and thumb together with other fingers raised and “thumbs up” hand positions in the other two corner blocks. Cute and easy to do!
-
I like to applique flowers or lone blocks to the top of a quilt to give it some pizazz.
-
I’m working on a garden flowers applique wall hanging for a friend. I like to cut out flowers from a piece of fabric and fuse it to a background.
-
Many years ago I appliqued scenes to a sweat-shirt jacket- still my favorite item.
-
Love my four Bernina. Won’t get rid of any.
-
I love to do small wall hangings with applique
-
My favorite quick applique project is to make pillowcases for gifts with their initials applique in cute animals and flowers
-
I like to applique a tree, snowman or gift on the Holiday Stockings I make for Christmas. I also teach my 4-H Club members to sew the Holiday Stockings with appliques of their choice.
-
I like quick appliqué on mug rugs with a bit of free motion outlining to finish. I like to design mug rugs to fit the personality or likes of my friends as a special gift.
-
I love to make mug rugs, tote bags and small wall quilts and add appliqué.
-
Reading ? got away from me and catching up! I love guitar pillow! Thanks for the technique!
-
my favorite appliqué is making mug rugs, that is easy and quick to make. Thank you for all your tips. That help me a lot.
-
I just applied a quilt square , 4 of them , to be inserted in a sampler quilt I am making , its a Sew in Love quilt by Edita Sitar. I sew love her patterns and ideas.
-
Thank you for this fascinating post, I am happy I observed this website on Google. Not just content, in fact, the whole site is fantastic. Sewing Machine Plus Discount Voucher
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Small project bags are quick and I can never have too many!