Hey Everyone, welcome back to Colourful Friday and more Stash Blasting Wednesday all on Thursday.

I am busy getting ready for the Coldwater Studio Tour which is this weekend. Today I thought I would highlight a couple of the pieces that I will have at the tour.

I created these two pieces for a presentation earlier this spring and used up a whole bunch of left over fat eighths and 10 inch squares. I only made the background and no quilting was done.

I quilted the background with some free motion curvy lines just to hold everything together so that I could then add in the appliqué pieces without having to dodge pins. It really is easier to quilt the background first before adding the appliqué – it means less starts and stops as well as fewer threads to tie off and bury in the back.

On the small piece I stitched only one way across the piece.

Wavy quilting lines

The longer piece I stitched both ways to create a wavy checkerboard design.

A grid of wavy quilting lines

Now if you don’t like the appliqué stitching to be seen on the back then this method is not for you. I use to be like that and for some pieces I still am – like my Animal Party and Ocean Party patterns – I do all the appliqué stitching prior to sandwiching the quilt.

The back of the piece

Since these pieces were pretty plain with not a lot of pizzaz I decided to add some colour. Using fusible web appliqué I tried to replicate the flowers from the fabric and added some to the runner and topper using fabric from the same fabric line. Even using up some scraps.

Here’s the topper or wall hanging if you prefer as I did put hanging triangles on it.

The table topper

And here’s the table runner.

The table runner

This is what the back looks like. Since I used the free motion satin stitch to stitch around the appliqué pieces the same shape is outlined on the back in a thick line giving a design to the back of the piece as well.

Close up of the flower

I also created a large version of my Flower Power mug rug as well. I absolutely love it. I want to do a couple more of these but not sure there is enough hours in the next two days to get them done in time for the tour with everything else I need to do.

Large flower power

If you are in the Coldwater area make sure to stop and say hi. I’m stop #11 – 3836 Line 8 North, Oro-Medonte off of Horseshoe Valley Road.

Happy Quilting!