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| Four Seasons Hemet Herald | JUNE 2022 | 27 In last month's Herald we saw beautiful quilts using an applique technique and foundation paper piecing, (paper piecing in the Quilt World). Applique has been used in quilting since the top of the 18th century when American quilters used colored fabrics sewn on the outer layers, referring to it as 'applique.' Taking a piece of fabric cut into the desired shape, whether it is hearts, letters, animals, flowers, or a memory of choice, it is then appliqued to the quilt top, using a finished edge or a raw edge. The possibilities are literally endless and this technique can be done in individual blocks, or applied after the entire quilt is finished for a more textured/dimensional look. Not around quite as long, but for more than 100 years, paper piecing is a pretty big deal in the world of quilting. Sewing patches directly onto a template, or foundation, one can perfectly replicate portions of a quilt block or an entire quilt. Different in application than applique, unparalleled accuracy can be achieved. The first template is designed using freezer paper or tracing paper to create the 'foundation paper.' Then laying other precision cut template pieces carefully along the edges these are then sewn together in the order and pattern the quilter desires. We will be exploring these two very unique applications in the coming weeks as our BoHo Heart quilts are finished. For those who participated in this first project, a lot has been learned and shared. Amazingly we are all following the same pattern, but with individual choices of fabric, color, and style each one is uniquely different! We are a diverse group from beginners to seasoned quilters. We all look forward sewing together and enjoy welcoming new members. Meeting every first and third Thursday in the Arts & Craft Room from 12 to 4 pm, we often continue sharing our time together breaking bread in the Bistro. For information about quilting, activities, fun projects, and forming forever friendships through this wonderful hobby of quilting, stop by the Arts& Crafts Room and see what's sewing! We would love to meet you. All residents are welcome to meetings and excursions. For more information, please contact Diane Best at (951) 816-0449, dianequilts@verizon.net or Sharon Deuber at (760) 500-0077, YouDeserveIt@twc.com Needle Me Compliments of Sandi Speirs, our article this month features the History of Applique. Applique is just one of the many needle crafts that some of our ladies enjoy. The term appliqué is derived from French and Latin words appliquer and applicare, respectively, which both mean to join or attach. Like embroidery, it has a humble beginning. The technique was used as a way to strengthen worn areas of items or to patch holes that had formed. As time went on, it became a creative outlet for cultures around the world. Appliqué dates back to the ancient Egyptians and is seen on their clothing, as well as household items. In the Middle Ages, however, it was also seen on banners for churches as well as ceremonial costumes. This decorative use continues into the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries on the likes of clothing and quilting. Appliqué is responsible for iconic garments. The poodle skirt, popularized in the mid-1950s, while the 1960s had flower children affixing florals onto their bell bottoms. If you look on your clothing today, you're sure to find some aspect of appliqué, from labels to decorative designs. The fundamental premise of appliqué is to affix smaller pieces of fabric onto a larger fabric base. You can do this by simply stitching or gluing them together without concealing the raw edges. But, if you would prefer clean edges, the needle turn or freezer paper method would satisfy your need. Affixing applique pieces to a background fabric can be achieved by machine or hand sewing the pieces down. The three photos included with this article show the following methods: the Freezer Paper method (flowers) which is hand sewn down, the Fusible method (jack-o-lantern) which is machine sewn around the edges and the Wool applique method (bird) which is done using the fusible method and buttonhole stitch around each piece. In closing, one of our members is currently working as a chaplain for Riverside University Health Systems in the palliative care department. The rooms tend to be cold, so the patients could really use some lap afghans or blankets approximately 36"x 48". If you would like to donate an afghan or blanket to this worthy cause, it would be greatly appreciated. We meet on the first and fourth Friday of each month in the Arts & Crafts Room at 1 pm. If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Bobbie Davis at (951) 223-3836 or Merilyn Burnside at (951) 658-8310.

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