Play with Me QAL: 03-2016 Backgammon

I have finally finished the Play with Me block for this month - Backgammon, and the skill used to make it is reverse applique.

Here is my finished denim game board pillow!

Play With Me Backgammon Front

Play With Me Backgammon Back

 I sort of think I could have sewn the points down directly on the background, but it was fun to do this new to me technique.  First the rectangles for the points were sewn together, the top was basted to that, then the points were cut out and stitched around.  With other (non denim) fabric there would not be as much raveling, but with the extra stitching I'm pretty sure my pillow will last a long time.

All three Play With Me pillows playing nicely together on the sofa!

February - Nine Men's Morris - Paper Piecing

March - Backgammon - Reverse Applique

January - Checkers - Bargello

This month I made a few changes when I did the stitching.

1. I changed the pattern for the points so they are all the same length so they mirror our board game.  Blogged toward the end of this post.
2. I cut the backgrounds for the points so they were a little shorter than the pattern, so the spacing was closer to our board game too.
3. I cut the point template out of freezer paper and ironed them on the back of the fabric and I outlined the points with stitching done on the backside too.  I did this as the felt pen I used to trace the pattern with was bleeding all over, this way if it bled it would be on the back. 
4. To make the square pillow, I only added sashing or border on two sides of the game.  The previous months I put this around all four sides of the games.

My tension got messed up for some of the points.  I didn't realize until I flipped the project over.  So after this photo, used a seam ripper to clean things up.  And also after this photo, added additional stitching to outline the points.

I'm still using the zipper flange directions mentioned in this post, but I am adding a sewn line above the flap to keep the zipper flat.

On top of zipper flange, sew line to keep zipper flat.

I'm really having fun making these pillows!  New patterns will be offered for another six months!

Click here to see the game boards made by the others participating in the QAL:
http://alidatweloqdesigns.blogspot.com/2016/03/play-with-me-qal-link-party-month-3.html

If you didn't hear about the QAL before, please visit the Play with Me QAL page! 

Visit the QAL page to find all the quilt layout, all the future boards and rules to participate.

Subscribe to the QAL announcements via email, so you don't miss out on future posts! You find the subscription form on the same QAL page.