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Here are just a few of our 74 patterns:
You can view all 74 patterns in our online catalog.
Videos, we have videos! Grab your popcorn and settle down to watch our FREE How-to applique movies. Since 1989, we have specialized in realistic animal-themed patterns of machine appliqué. Our patterns can be used to make finished projects ranging from a hot pad to full sized bed quilt to clothing. Our mission is to provide you with a vehicle to help you think more creatively. Debora Konchinsky, our chief designer, spent four years in college leaning how to think...it can all be summed up in two words: "What if...? Before you can be creative, you need to learn the basics of applique. Our easy, beginner patterns are on sale. Click the sale button at the top of this page.
To help you learn how to do machine applique, Debora has made some FREE how-to applique videos. Watch over her shoulder to see how she sews appliques in both raw edge and satin stitching and create some special effects. Click here to watch critterpat videos. Email us if there is a topic you'd like to see a video on.
When we started designing patterns back in 1989, people wanted to do machine appliqué because it was fast. Sure, you can make up our patterns by hand applique if you prefer, just add a seam allowance. Now with the punch needle embroidery, beading, and felting techniques, people find that they can use our appliques in front of the TV or riding in a car because it doesn’t require a lot of equipment. It is relaxing to do, and fun to see the design develop in a few evenings. You won’t create designs as fast as with machine appliqué, but the process is a pleasant change of pace, and the amount of detail you can achieve is amazing. Look at the detail photos of the woolen sheep quilt as it is being made. All the fabrics in the background are suiting weight wool, purchased as remnants about 17 years ago. The sheep were appliqued about 6 years ago and the crazy quilt embroidery (all hand work) was done in the last year and a half. This quilt has been accepted to be in the Road to California show in Ontario CA Jan 14-17, 2010. Debora Konchinsky is teaching at that show "Get Over Your Fear of Applique".
With our easy to follow instructions, beginning sewers to advanced quilters are encouraged to use individuality and experimentation and learn new skills for expression. Included in every pattern is a little art lesson. For more information on being creative, click here. We give suggestions for choosing colors, fabrics, and types of prints to help you get started. When you purchase a fabric kit to use with one of our patterns, you get the opportunity to pick and choose which fabric goes where in your quilt, be it background or applique. So this isn’t cookie cutter quilting. Your quilt will be different from everybody else's.
In every pattern, we tell you how to set up the sewing machine and how to do all the special effects that we have used in the quilts pictured. We assume that you know how to sew, but maybe have never made a quilt before.
You can make your project as complicated or as easy as you want by limiting (or duplicating) the number of designs you choose to use. Learn the techniques, so when you are ready to put 20 critters together, you will know what you are doing.
The CritterNews comes out monthly, more or less. We tell you about the shows where we will be vending, new patterns coming out, tips, contests and sales. We also discuss what is on our minds...Check out the CritterNews archives button on the left of this page.
Debora started blogging! This is a place where she can give more detailed info about what she is working on. Maybe it will help get people excited about applique and actually get addicted to being creative. click here:
http://critterpat.blogspot.com/
We were featured on
Episode #427
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