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so, it was a rainy weekend here in Hobart so what better thing to do than finish a quilt…. pull out the fusible web – yes it was to be a quick quilt – oh Heat n Bond – a full roll – yes that will work, its fusible

Now I know you don't have to stitch with Heat n Bond, that’s why I got it for 3D flowers – but didn't stop to think that meant you actually CANT stitch through it!

Quilt was coming together nicely (actually MissM had already pieced the whole background some time ago) – time to start quilting.

gloves on, ditch everything, ready for rawedging – love that technique…

what’s happening, the stitches keep missing???? a new needle, a different thread, play with tension, re thread, try another needle..arrrggh panic – it WONT work…and there are little holes everywhere I've had to unpick…  eeeek – panic phone call to clever sister who knows all things quilting – what! you used Heat n Bond? – bain of all longarmers – it wont work – you cant stitch through it successfully…sorry nothing you can do, cant take it out now – try silicon spray, one stitch at a time, oiling the thread, a really big needle…

raw edge applique

well I went and poured a wine and tried to forget about it overnight – a whole days work maybe in the bin…

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next day – try again – okay the biggest needle i have – a 16 – silicon spray, one stitch – still nothing – last resort, change machines – out comes Great Grans old beauty – we managed to limp through the remaining 3 flowers and stitch down those layers (which didn't need to be stitched because I had used non stitch Heat n Bond – but because one was done the others had to be done) – thanks Gran – you saved me – well enough to get it sort of done….and hopefully no-one will ever see it any closer than a photo on a pattern cover! AND the instructions will say DONT use Heat n Bond for this technique…

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So here endeth the lesson, oh learned ones…. next time grab the roll of Vliesofix instead…and you will have a much nicer experience…

hugs for today,

Helen

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