Cactus Rose

 I enjoyed taking a class from Judy Niemeyer at Aunt Mary's Quilt Shop in Arlington. She is moving toward teaching in Montana, as well as training her own fleet of teachers, that these trips are become more rare.

I already knew how to paper piece, but this advanced pattern pushes the linear to more circular designs. Also, Judy likes to machine applique. I do too, but she uses matching thread and a tiny zig-zag stitch. I prefer monofilament in smoke and clear. I used a lot of Roxanne's Glue Baste-It as well. 

I liked having everything temporarily basted when I took it to the machine. Then, after about 10 minutes, everything was stitched down.