The Applecore has always been intriguing to me...and daunting.
I have thought for a few years that I could try it with English Paper Piecing, but never got around to it. Cutting the shapes myself was out of the question. I didn't even know where to find a template.
A few weeks ago I was approached by the awesome people at
Accuquilt about doing a feature on my blog about my
GO! cutter. I chose the
Applecore die to feature because I have been really wanting to try it.
I have had my GO! for about 8 months now.
As you know I have made a rag quilt with their dies but I really hadn't explored using it more than that.
Since quilt market I decided I was going to put my
GO! to the test.
This is a tutorial on how I used the GO! to cut the
Applecore shape and create a simple table topper.
I started with a Fat Eighth bundle of Sandy Gervais' new
Moda line Lollipop. I confess I did get this at Sample Spree at Spring Quilt Market.
I have been so tempted to delve into my sample spree stash and this project seemed the perfect one for it.
Supplies:
9 coordinating Fat Eighths or scraps 7" X 9"
fat quarter 18" X 22" backing
batting 15" X 15"
1/3 yard coordinate to make bias binding
Coordinating thread for quilting (Aurifil)
GO! Applecore die.
In case you haven't see the GO! cutter, here it is unfolded.
I layered 3 fabrics at a time and using the opaque mat designed to use with the dies...rolled the die through the machine.
Wait, I mean my 3 year old rolled it through.
Yep, that is how easy it is. She kept begging to help me.
I finally gave in. Standing (hovering) near her, I let her turn the handle.
She was soooo happy that she did it.
She cut all 9 shapes.
Here are the shapes on the design wall.
Notice the notches in the centers of the concave and convex curves.
These are very important for piecing your cores together.
Also note, that the curves do not appear to be the same length when they are laid beside each other.
Now here's where the magic occurs. Match up the notch of one convex curve to a concave curve.
And glue.
what? glue?
Yes, using the Sewline glue stick I glue-tacked the notches together.
Then I proceeded to glue the ends and ease in the rest of the curve.
I did not pin.
Sew with a 1/4" seam allowance and press towards the convex curve.
Be consistent with pressing. Try not to iron or stretch the fabric.
Continue to piece the cores into 3 rows of 3.
Then piece the rows.
And again I used glue.
I found that pins caused more tucks in my piecing and ended up seam ripping.
This shows lining up the notches.
The pieced applecore top
.
I chose Aurifil thread to quilt this project. I was able to purchase this Kit Art set at Sample Spree. I am anxious to try the other colors soon.
I layered the backing and batting and quilted with a 1/4" outline of the applecores.
Using bias binding to bind.
This photo is keeping it real here. I really used that many clips on the binding.
It was a HUGE challenge. When I make my next applecore I am going to piece the top and square up the edges to avoid binding this curvaceous edge.
Here's the finished topper.
Even with the "keeping it real bias binding"...I finished this on Memorial Day in about 3 hours. The binding took the most time at at least an hour and a half.
The GO! made cutting the applecore with accuracy and precision...easy peasy.
Piecing was a dream with the glue pen technique.
I absolutely can not wait to make another Applecore quilt. I think I am going to make one with 1930's fabrics. Eek..I want to go home at lunch and start it today.
Seriously, I would love to go home and sew today :)
How about you? Do you have a GO!? do you like it?
