I love appliqué, but I believe the time it takes is a real drawback. However, if you can sew straight lines with a sewing machine, you can create beautiful and cute items using paper-piecing-like method quite quickly. Since you're piecing together multiple fabrics, you can create a similar feel to appliqué. I intended to make two patchworks to use as pot holders, but they would also work well as wall decorations. Let's take a look at them.
I browsed the internet for beautiful patterns and tried drawing them by hand. The fabric for the background needs to be ample. I matched and arranged the fabric pieces, attaching them in order. I had to rip some seams due to mistakes in the order, but I considered it a rite of passage and didn't let it stress me out... just enjoyed the process! Haha!
Church with lights on
Let's start by assembling the church. We'll divide it into four large blocks. Let's complete the first block.
If you look closely, there are three windows that let in light, all represented in the same two colors. Therefore, cut the two fabrics long and wide enough to consider both the upper and lower seams, and then cut three pieces in a size that considers the seam allowance. This little trick can save some time. Connect two of the pieces (1 and 2), and then attach the green piece (3) to the left end to complete the window row. After that, attach pieces 4 and 5, followed by 6 and 7 in order, to create block [1]
Complete block [2] and connect it to block [1]. Then, connect the completed blocks [3] and [4] to finish. Attach the border to increase the size a bit, sandwich the batting and lining, quilt it, and neatly finish the corners with bias tape.
Landscape with a House and Trees
This one has a bit more detail. If you sew them diagonally, they will create a slant. Complete each piece separately, then attach blocks [1] and [2] to finish the house. After that, connect the tree from block [3], and then attach the floor block [4].
There was a checkered fabric so we used it as a window.
Choosing and preparing the fabric takes some time, but it's great that sewing them together with the machine goes so quickly. Haha! In fact, I usually make these small items and then use them when creating something a bit larger.
When I recycled an old pair of cotton pants to make a bag, it served as a point that draws attention to a design that could easily be bland. I created the front panel using two buildings made from my husband's old dress shirts. As mentioned earlier, by attaching the two colors together lengthwise and then cutting and attaching them, I can progress with the work quickly.
