I attended the first in-person workshop yesterday since this Pandemic started. It was great fun to spend a day with quilting friends and learn some new techniques. The workshop instructor was David Taylor.
Three techniques that will especially impact my future applique were:
1. How and when to use a lining behind the applique pieces to keep a shadow of the fabric from showing through, as well as what fabric to use for the lining.
2. When David applique curves, he only turns the fabric under on convex curves. For concave curves, he does not turn the fabric under, but rather fits the adjoining applique piece such that the adjoining convex curve overlaps the convave curve. Hard to put this into words, and can be a little complicated doing it as well, but was an interesting technique to learn.
3. How to use a finger stilletto.
I finished up my little 12" square Chickadee block this morning. Sweet little Chickadees are among of my favorite wild birds, right up there with blue birds. Not sure yet what it will become, but I am considering a pillow, and maybe more "bird" theme pillows to put out in the spring.