Peek-a-boo Scrappy Applique!

by Janelle Schwartz June 14, 2022

Peek-a-boo Scrappy Applique Tree

Trying something new!

I had so much fun putting this project together. I always aim to try something new with each project - and this project was no exception.

Mini Mosaic Tree made by Janelle of Dotty and Grace

Fabric choice!

When I started quilting, about 12 years ago, I would put fabrics together and then I was not confident with my choices or something just seemed off. Fast forward to today and now I love to choose fabric palettes and try to create different moods with my selections.

Fussy cut Owl in the Mini Mosaic Tree made by Janelle of Dotty and Grace

Blue and a touch a neutral!

So this time, when I went into my stash, I knew I wanted this mini quilt to be calming. The best way to achieve this is with one hue! Of course I settled on blue! But which shade and tone of blue was the challenge! I knew I wanted to add some fussy cutting into the project - so I started with the animal prints. From then I just kept adding and adding! I included some neutrals with text to add a little depth to the tree. The animals were an obvious choice to fussy cut and "hide" in the tree - it gave an extra interest piece to the project. Then with the text print I chose sections of the design that seemed fitting for a tree project.

Mini Mosaic Tree made by Janelle of Dotty and Grace

The three B's!

What are the three B's? Background, Backing and Binding!

For my background I chose a fabric from Robert Kaufman's Essex Yarn Dye Collection - in Denim colour. I love the organic feel it gave to the quilt. For the backing I used a scrap of denim that I had. And finally the binding is from Lella Boutique's Lollipop Garden collection.

Rustic Matchstick Quilting

Rustic Match-stick Quilting

I love the effect of match-stick quilting but sometimes the pressure of keeping straight lines is not my cup of tea! Well with this quilting I wanted it to have an organic feel to it, to give flow to the tree design. So I started with ruling one straight line, then I did quilting at 1 inch intervals using my quilting guide attachment on my machine foot. Next I started having fun and eye balled the half inch line, and finally I just went fast with the quarter inch line! And while I was worried at first how it might turn out - I really love the overall effect on my mini quilt.

Mini Mosaic Tree by Janelle of Dotty and Grace

Pattern: Mini Mosaic Tree by Shannon Brinkley, available in her Scrappy Bits Applique book. (Or try a different Scrappy Applique Pattern)

Size: 27.5" x24"

Fabric: Stash buster

Quilting: Rustic Matchstick quilting on my Janome 6700p

Thread: Auriful 50wt Dove

Scrappy Applique Patterns are available in bundles or as individual patterns. And if you are feeling adventurous - you can even get the full library including the workshop - Scrappy Applique Pattern Library.

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