A faithful and super talented reader of my blog, Lara Buccella, contacted me recently to ask if I would like to review her new book Crafted Applique. Β Lara has been super dear to me, so I might have said yes just because of that…but it turns out that her book is about a process that I am very passionate about: Raw Edge Applique. Β So I knew that I needed to see it.
Lara has a great new spin on the process for creating the applique pieces that you’ll just have to get the book to check out. Β (A little mystery is a good thing right?!) But I have tested out the process myself and I am here to tell that it does indeed work quite well. Β I am happy to have a new technique in my arsenal.
Her book, along with describing her technique, has a few patterns available as well. Β And I immediately fell in love with one titled Cecropia Utopia: a moth. Β Lara makes hers very true to nature in color choice, but I used a little poetic license and stepped outside the box.
I chose a warm palette of browns, yellows and cream, with a pop of pink. Β My main fabric is a fabulous Anna Maria Horner fabric from her recent line Fibs and Fables. Β Because I used such a busy fabric for the background, I ended up leaving out some of Lara’s tiny details to the moth, preferring instead to let the fabric do some of the work for me.
I worked hard cutting out each piece and its mirror image for the moth. Β As you can see, the pieces are fairly intricate. Β This is definitely not a project that can be done with needle turn applique. Β Raw edge applique is required. Β And Lara’s technique keeps the edges perfectly crisp through the process. Β There was absolutely no fraying on the fabrics.
And then the stitching…. it’s a bit of work to do the required detailed stitching on a piece like this. Β I never tackle the easy things. lol Β I’m showing you a quite detailed shot of my stitching here, so be kind. Β My biggest tip: Use an open toe applique foot. Β Absolutely necessary in my opinion. I also really love using a rayon thread for the top when doing applique work like this; the sheen is lovely.
I chose to use a single neutral color for the entire project, but I’ve also done projects where I’ve switched out the color for each different fabric. Β I wanted to see my stitching, so I didn’t try to blend it in.
The last portion I did was the antennae. And they are quite pronounced in the pattern. Β So I chose to hand embroider these with a pearl cotton thread. Β I kind of love the contrast between the stitching on the moth and the bulkier stitching of the antennae. Β It creates more interest in the piece.
I think the pattern is pretty spectacular. Β And I adore how my fabric choices worked. Β At some point I stopped following the pattern and just went with my instincts on color and fabric placement. Β I like that this pattern lets you have that freedom.
Visit here to purchase Lara’s book or find more information.
Your moth is quite simply stunning.
annamariehlustik@googlemail.com
Your moth is so beautiful that I will call it a butterfly; it is absolutely stunning!
Beautiful moth. Your fabric choices are wonderful and the applique looks so nice.
I agree with you wholeheartedly! What a beautiful butterfly!
Oh that is so wonderful!!!
I love how your moth came out.
Your moth is awesome. the color placement is outstanding. Lara’s applique method is most intriguing and I am anxious to try it. Everyone sounds so excited about it.