Block 1 of 9, Garden of Contentment

The full set of designs have been removed from my shop.  Templates are available for each block as we do them, click HERE – Allie-oops Designs 

 (James 3:18) "And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace."

The world seems so noisy anymore, and so stressful with instant communications world-wide – where do we find peace?  Sometimes it seems like we need to travel very far to get away from the cacophony of the world, miles and miles into the wilderness – and yet, we carry the world with us in our smart phones and our tablets, with all its noise and stress and jockeying for our attention.  What’s a stressed-out peace seeker to do?  Should we go live in the hills, find an empty beach (yes please), become hermits to escape?  Well, that might be nice for awhile, but no.  Jesus promised us peace, and all you have to do is ask Him.  He didn’t promise we’d be free from trouble or heartache or noise, but that He would give us peace.

(John 14:27) "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

(John 16:33) "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."

(Romans 5:1) "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:"

We can be surrounded by noise, tribulation, in the middle of a whopping great storm, and still have peace.  Isn’t that amazing!!!!  And yet, I’ve experienced this first hand.  There have been lots of storms in Allie-land, and yet His peace rules in my heart.  The more time I spend in the word of God, the more peace I have!  Now, it didn’t happen all at once, but looking back, I can see how far I’ve come.  It’s a journey, and our destination is Heaven.  The longest, most profound, most rewarding journey you can ever make.

(Philippians 4:7) "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

And that is our first flower in our garden - Peace.  Let’s begin this journey of blessings, shall we?

Applique

 Cut your white background block 11” tall x 10” wide.  Trace the layout diagram onto it, using the marking tool of your choice – I use a red Frixion pen, it’s heat erasable and I’ve never had trouble with it on white fabric.  It will disappear when you fuse your appliqué on, but if you put it in the freezer it will come back!  I usually leave it in there for a full day….the longer it stays in there, the better the lines come back for the embroidery part.

Since I use a heat erasable pen, I also trace the appliqué parts of the design.  I rough trace just inside where the appliqué is going to go –

It just helps me with placement.  If using a permanent marking pen, skip that part.  Please use the method you’re most comfortable with, you don’t have to use mine!

Trace your reversed shapes onto fusible web, following the manufacturer’s directions.  Cut out, leaving 1/8” to ¼” around each piece.  Fuse onto the fabric of your choice on the wrong side.  Cut out on the line you’ve drawn.

Peel the backing off of each piece, and arrange them on your background.  Tweezers come in handy for that part when pieces are small.  When you get them exactly where you want them, (I do them all at once) fuse them in place.

Using one strand of embroidery floss, work a blanket stitch around each piece.  About the blanket stitch – when I first learned appliqué, I worked with the acrylic felt from the craft store.  Loved it.  But when I had something pointy to blanket stitch, I couldn’t figure out how to keep the stitch points from coming up.  The thread was always loose there.  So I avoided points for years.  It wasn’t until I watched some videos on YouTube on needle turn appliqué that I learned about stay stitches – what a revelation!  Now, when I do a point, I take a teeny, tiny stay stitch to make sure that little monster never moves.  Sometimes self-taught isn’t the best, lol!

Interfacing [optional] and Embroidery

Before you put your piece in the freezer [if you’ve used a Frixion and AFTER the applique], cut your fusible interfacing 10” x 9” and fuse to the back of your block.  Make sure no threads from the appliqué show through!  I take a glue stick and just quick glue them behind the appliqué, to make sure.  (Using fusible interfacing is optional!!!)

If you’ve opted for the Frixion, then after your lines come back you can start the embroidery.  All the stitching is done in a backstitch, with two strands of embroidery floss.  Try to use a shade darker for the words than what you use for your appliqué, they’ll show up better.

Trim your block to 9” tall x 8” wide.

Framing

Now you’re going to frame your block –

Cut two strips -  1 ½”  x 9”  This is an exact size – I cut mine longer.  I like to go a little longer on the strips, I trim after I stitch them just in case.  Stitch each strip to the sides of the block. Press seams away from block.

Cut two strips – 1 ½” x 11”  Stitch to top and bottom of the block.  Press seams away from block and trim.

Adding Strips

Ok, now it’s time to add the strips to bring your block up to size – we’re going to keep adding until the block measures at least 14” tall x 13” wide.

All strips are cut 1 ½”, by however long you need them.  We’re working in a “log cabin” style – on this block, we’ll be adding strips to the bottom, then the right side.  (The sides of the blocks that touch the outside border edge don’t get strips added.)  I’ve numbered a picture for you in the order to add your strips –

First strip on the bottom, next strip on the right side, then bottom, then right side.  Each strip will get longer.  Attach the strip, press the seam open [reduces bulk], add the next strip.

What we’re doing is bringing all the blocks up to the same size, 14” tall x 13” wide.  If you don’t have long enough strips, why not piece them?  I think that would give a lovely, even scrappier effect!

Give the block a final press, and trim to 14” tall x 13” wide.  Some of your strips on the edges might end up a little skinny, but that’s ok!  Variety is the spice of life!

That’s it, you’re done with block one!  Block two will be up next Monday!!

Alternative

There is another way to bring your blocks up to size after framing.  You can add rectangles of one color to the bottom and side, to give more of a floating effect to the blocks.  Just make sure to add enough to bring the block up to size.  If you do this, you’ll want enough of the one color of fabric for ALL the blocks – and I’m just not sure how much that might be!  Maybe 2 yards?  I would get 3 just in case.  Better to have leftovers than not enough.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to email me, leave a comment (with your email so I can contact you), or leave a comment on my facebook group (button on sidebar).  I’ll get back with you as soon as I can.  I’m always just a click away!!

Jenny is frolicking in the garden with us, here are pics of her first (GORGEOUS) block!

I adore the fabric she chose – and the added running stitch around the flower elements!! 

See you soon!

Love,

Allie

(Romans 15:13) "Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost."

(Jude 1:2) "Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied."

(2 John 1:3) "Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love."

(1 Thessalonians 5:23) "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Sneak peek at next block, coming Monday February 12^th!