The Satin Stitch: In Search of Perfection

         
          Satin stitching around an applique can be frustrating, but there are some little things that can be done before stitching that will make a big difference.

         No matter whether the applique is being applied to a single piece of fabric or the applique stitching is to be part of the quilting on a layered piece, I have found that the most important thing to remember is to put some sort of stabilizer behind the applique prior to beginning. This keeps the fabric from distorting and helps keep the stitches even.

          On a large quilt, it is usually best to complete the satin stitching around the appliques before the quilt is sandwiched and quilted. The excess stabilizer can then be trimmed away as needed. On a smaller wall hanging, I use a large sheet of fairly heavy stabilizer such as Pellon Decor Bond. It can be placed behind the quilt top, appliqued, then finally, sandwiched with a batting and quilted as whole. Another benefit of doing this on a smaller piece is that is keeps the quilt nice and flat. It is also more likely to hang straight when displayed.

         Before I truly begin satin stitching around my applique pieces, I whip up a practice swatch. It can either be just a piece of fabric and a sheet of stabilizer or a mock quilt with two layers of fabric, a layer of stabilizer, and some batting.

          I practice on that and make adjustments as needed before commencing with my project.

          Happy stitching!

Changing of the Beds

          Although most would agree that there is another month left of summer, in Central California our summer gardens are beginning to wane.

          These bushes are the last ones in my garden producing tomatoes this time of year.

         They are Early Girls, and in my opinion, the best variety to plant. They live up to their name of being early producers, and as you can see, are outlasting the other varieties in my garden when it comes to longevity. Their fruits are generally not prone to cracking, a huge problem for tomatoes here in the San Joaquin Valley. Early Girls are also resistant to diseases and soil nematodes. A great all around tomato unless you have to have tomatoes the size of grapefruits.

           These are Big Boy tomato plants that are spent and ready to be pulled out of their raised bed and discarded.

          Here is the same raised bed without the tomato plants and cages. In preparation for cool weather crops, I am adding the peat moss and bagged garden top soil that I purchased in the spring. The soil in the raised bed is very soft, so it won't take long to spade the amendments into the bed.

          The Central San Joaquin Valley is a wonderful place to grow fall and winter crops. I haven't decided exactly what I am going to plant in this particular bed, but I have a package of seeds coming from Johnny's Selected Seeds in Maine. When it arrives, I will let you have a look inside.