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Bobbing for Apples with the GO!® Apple Core Die
By Vickie Eapen of Spun Sugar Quilt Designs
My name is Vickie from Spun Sugar Quilt Designs. I am a designer and blogger who has been quilting for over 15 years. AccuQuilt encouraged me to enlighten you about my favorite die–the GO!® Apple Core. Originally, I purchased my GO!® Fabric Cutter to assist my mother-in-law in cutting kits. My mother-in-law is also an avid quilter. Due to carpel tunnel and arthritis, she has difficulty using a rotary cutter. I viewed this GO! Fabric Cutter as the perfect solution. It is quick, accurate, precise, and most of all, it cuts classic shapes with curves. One of the first GO! dies I used was the Apple Core. I absolutely love apple core quilts as I have always admired them. Truth be told, I have never made an apple core quilt. That is, not until I tried my Apple Core die with my GO! Fabric Cutter.
Let’s Get Started
Now for a little history behind the apple core quilt design. This design is also known by several other names including the Double Ax Head, Friendship, Always Friends, The Spool, Double Bit Ax, and the Badge of Friendship.
It is truly a fantastic shape for a One Patch Quilt. One patch charm quilts have been popular for decades. Recently, there has been a revival of the one patch quilts using the hexagons or clamshells.
Why not add the apple core to this category? Traditionally, these one patch shapes were hand pieced, but as time goes on, quilters are always looking for faster piecing methods. Now quilters are more fortunate to have die-cut shapes to further speed up their projects.
I particularly love the GO! Apple Core die from AccuQuilt because of the size and accuracy of the cut shapes. The size of the die cuts are large enough to tackle with the tight curved piecing and small enough that the core remains in its charm shape. This shape can easily be used for a quilt, table runner, table mat, small change purse, or scrap quilt.
The “core” is an excellent shape to swap with your quilting friends. Let them try these curves without fear of failure when cutting! Fortunately, AccuQuilt has a great collection of videos that help show you how to achieve accurate fabric pieces like the apple core. For example, be aware of your straight of grain while cutting the shapes. In addition, it might be helpful to sew your apple core rows in opposite directions to help decrease the wavy edges or pull to the left or right.
Helpful Tip
From all the inspiration and success of using my GO! Cutter die, I have now made several apple core quilt projects. With each project I am getting more and more proficient at piecing the curves. I love the movement the apple core creates with the fabrics.
About this BloggerVickie is a full-time dentist, mom and wife, and a part-time pattern and quilt designer. She has been quilting for over 15 years and loves all crafting, sewing, and decorating. Vickie Eapen - Spun Sugar Quilts |
