A new project

I decided to have a break from stitchery projects this week; I hadn't done much for a while and now I think I've done enough for now.
Something I haven't done in a while is some hand applique so, being a new year full of promise, I made a start on a new project!
Several years ago the Australian Homespun magazine ran a year long block of the month called Foxley Village, designed by Natalie Bird. I loved it and subscribed to the magazine for the year. Natalie made hers with Tilda fabrics. I hadn't owned/used these before so started a little collection of my own.
On my list of things to do this year (already committed, have the patterns and the fabric) was Foxley Village and now I have made a start.

I was only part way through the first block so continued with it on Friday night, when Wendy hosted Friday Night Sew In. A good number of us from around the world sewed together - thank you for your company everybody :-)

I'm happy to be hand appliqueing again. I am using the back basting method, probably my favourite technique but not the only one I use nor the only way to do it. All I needed to do was gather my fabrics, trace my design and I could start sewing straight away. You can just see on the photo below how I trace the design onto the back of the fabric.

I've done a little more over the weekend and am at this stage —

I'm starting to get somewhere. I'll machine sew one edge of the bias stem down so I just have to flip it over and hand sew one edge down.. Initially I thought the spots looked a little OTT but the other large leaf and the bird  have balanced it all out a little.

Once I've finished this block I'll get back to my current stitchery project. This is a new mystery block of the month I signed up for (from The Country Yard). I think it's going to be very cute and if I keep up it will be ready for Christmas this year :-)

In other sewing news, last year (hehe, it was only a few weeks ago) I tested another dog pattern for Juliet of Tartankiwi (on *Instagram here*)
I thought my boxer turned out pretty well, but do admire the ones Juliet has made in fabrics quite different to mine!

A close up of the fabrics —

I've previously tested two other dog blocks for Juliet, they're *here*. They made great cushions and this one will probably become a cushion as well.

I usually try to write these 'Friday Night' link up posts on Saturday afternoon, or Sunday morning at the latest. You can see I had a very good excuse not to get this post done when I wanted.

Can you tell that I'm getting some quilt absorption training in while the kiddies are nice and young, trying to make sure that using quilts is as natural as breathing :-)

Time to get moving and get this posted.

Till next time, 

Happy stitches ♥