Tucker Tiger Applique Pattern
Plus - Thinking Outside the Box and Experimentation
I updated the Tucker Tiger pattern last week - adding SVG files and a video showing assembly with a light box.
As I was working on the samples, I kept thinking about the tiger enclosure at Animal Planet in Disney World. It’s fantastic! The theming around it (and everything else in the section of Asian animals) is lovely, but the thing that made the biggest impression on me was the way we saw the tigers.
Most zoos have a path around the tiger exhibit - which is totally fine. But at Disney, the humans basically walked on a habitrail through the tiger exhibit. For us that meant we got to see a tiger casually walking just a few feet from us, close enough to see the muscles rippling under his skin and the way his giant paws kind of flicked forward with each step. He was magnificent, and we saw that magnificence close up in a way that never would have been possible with a traditional enclosure. Changing where to put the path completely changed our experience of seeing the tiger.
I think about that sort of thing a lot. Just because something is usually done a certain way doesn’t mean we need to keep doing it that way. I started out making quilts the traditional way, but I kept asking myself questions and trying new things at every step of the process. . .
It sure would be easier to outline this face if I was only working with one block, but I like the way the outlining looks when it also goes through the batting. Can I trying quilting one block at a time?
It would be more fun to do the quilting before the applique. Let me try that and see how it looks!
I don’t love using strips to cover the seams like you do in typical Quilt As You Go. What would happen if I just sewed the blocks and batting together and pressed those seams open?
I really loathe satin stitching around all the pieces. I think I’d like the look (and process) of straight stitching much better, but will the pieces hold through washing and drying? I’ll test it out.
This cuddle fleece that I’m using for stuffed animals super soft. I think it would make a terrific quilt back! But how does it look when you quilt through it? And will it bag or sag on the back? It can’t hurt to try!
What would it look like if I used decorative stitches for my quilting? Are some stitches better than others?
I’d love to use shiny satin/metallic tissue lamé/faux fur/fleece in my appliques. How can I make those work?
The result is a method for Quilt As You Go and applique with fusible adhesive that I find super easy, low pressure, and loads of fun. It makes me love to make quilts, and I hope it makes you love the process too.
But I don’t just do this kind of questioning in my work. It’s in my personal life too!
I don’t like eating my biggest meal so close to my (early!) bedtime. What if we ate our main meal in the early afternoon?
I love leftovers, but I don’t love a fridge full of plastic containers that I can’t see into. I hate forgetting about something and letting it spoil! Can I store them in glass canning jars?
Oooh! I like these canning jars for storage. If I use wide mouth jars will they work in the freezer?
I don’t really like turkey and neither does anyone else in my family. What if for Thanksgiving we just make a bunch of everyone’s favorite foods and who cares if they’re traditional or actually “go” together in any normal way?
That’s just a few examples, but there are opportunities all around to do things in a different way that works better for you. Just think outside the box and be willing to experiment!
The tiger pattern is free for all paid newsletter subscribers. Paid or free, keep scrolling until you get the the section called The Download. That’s where you’ll find the links you need to get it. 🥰
You all voted on Tucker Tiger (by a whisker) for my ABC sample. Now it’s time to tell me which of the three Tucker samples you like the best!
I’m always so curious to see which you choose. 🥰
With the addition of Tucker, this is where my ABC sample stands so far.
I’m working on a vulture for V but I’m not happy with any of my sketches yet, so that’s my big task for the week.
Here’s your weekly dose of awesomeness from the Shiny Happy People group!
Rebecca has been making so many dresses for her Emily doll! I particularly love this one with the satin sleeves and ruffle, but you can scroll through her recent posts to the group to see many more. They’re all so cute!
This is the Cat’s Meow pattern - which includes an adorable set of ruffled panties and also a tiny felt cat to sit in your doll’s lap.
Head over to the Shiny Happy People group on Facebook to see lots more wonderfulness people are making with my patterns—and to ask questions and share photos of your own projects. It’s my favorite place on the internet.
In an effort to make this newsletter short enough to go through most email providers without getting chopped off, I’ve broken out some favorite pieces to give them their own days.
Wednesday is for inspiration - favorite artists, books, recipes, and more. In last week’s Five Happy Things - Favorite Apple Recipes, this and this were tied for the most clicks. Delicious!
Friday is for oldies but goodies from the archives. Last week this post got the most clicks. It’s so perfect for fall!
And last Monday, this beauty got the most clicks!
You can always change which newsletters you receive by clicking this link. In the Notifications section, choose which mailings you do and don’t want. Easy peasy!
As I mentioned above, the download this week is the newly updated Tucker Tiger pattern.
If you don’t want to pay for Everything Under the Sun access ($5 per month or $50 per year), you can simply purchase the pattern here. Easy peasy! 🥰 Have fun with it!
That’s the end of the newsletter for free subscribers. Thanks so much for reading - and I hope you have a fabulous week!