The Countdown to Christmas Quilt Along - Applique Techniques

Welcome back to the next post for the Countdown to Christmas Quilt Along.  Today, we are talking about applique techniques.  Shown below is a copy of the schedule so you can see where we are at and what comes next:

• August 19th - Announcement of Giveaway and sponsors
• September 2nd - Quilt Along begins:  Choosing fabrics and fabric requirements
• September 16th - Cutting 
• September 30th - Applique techniques (machine, hand, puff-paint, ironed on).  The options are endless for how you would like to add your numbers to the pockets.  
• October 14th - Piecing
• October 28th - Quilting ideas
• November 11th - Binding
• November 25th - The Big Reveal and ideas for what to put in the pockets.

If you want to see more details on the Quilt Along please go here.  Remember you can join in on the fun at any time!

The applique technique I chose to use was machine embroidery.  Now if you would like to see a different technique, Janice from Better off Thread is using felt.  I am very excited to see how hers turned out.  Now back to my machine embroidery method.  The font I used was "Impress" by Embroidery Library, which can be purchased here.  Embroidery Library and Bunnycup Embroidery are two of my favorite websites to get embroidery designs from, which includes fonts.  They both embroider up great for me.  My favorite stabilizer to use is shown below.  It is called Sulky Stiffy Roll - 8" wide by 11 yards.  The machine embroidery thread that my machine likes is Gutterman.  Both of these items I get from Joann's.

Since my fabrics were a little on the busier side I felt that a solid number would be the best for my project.  A place for the eye to balance so to speak.  Shown below are all my squares embroidered and cut down to size.  Remember I had to have them larger so they would fit in my embroidery hoop, which is 4 x 6.  I also chose to use the "Random Number Layout" for my number pattern, which you can see below.  My oldest daughter is in First Grade, so I felt the Random Number layout would be a good learning tool for her.  See, this is even an "educational" advent calendar!

I also took some close ups of my favorite ones, which are shown below.

I just love that countdown fabric.  I think it is my favorite.  The embroidery colors I used was a deep red (4500), black (1000), and an olive green (8870).  Well I can't wait to see everyone's progress.  So far you are all doing an excellent job!  Keep up the good work.  The linkup will be open for the next two weeks.

Happy Quilting!