OCTOBER IS OUTSTANDING 2026

OCTOBER IS OUTSTANDING (FOR APPLIQUE’)!

OCTOBER 2026

HI YA’LL, KATHY HERE! And of course, beautiful Fall is here, along with cooler days for some of you (not so much here in Northwest Florida). My October came spinning in on the calendar and I apologize that this newsletter has been so late in the making. Behind the scenes, I was speedily stitching on the October block for my FREE BOM, along with a whole lot of teaching and travel and even a late season Hurricane that brought it’s eye right across us here, in Destin. Lots of clean up still going on throughout the Southeast for some folks and we are counting our blessings every day. My family welcomed a handsome and healthy new addition to our family, as our youngest son and his beautiful wife gave birth to our second grandson, who joins our other four grands! Blessed indeed!

This month, our latest Free block should be fun with the designing involved. I strayed away from the pattern to give you a separate idea for your quilt; a great time to use a special fabric that you may be saving. The light color background photo shows the original pattern and the dark background photo is my “just for fun” quilt that is blooming right along. While at the “over the top and amazing” AQS Columbus event in September, my students got to see the blocks and I even had some of the students name this newest block. What to name a Flamenco dancer? HMMM?? Well, say hello to FANNY, the FLAMENCO DANCER - BLOCK 5. (otherwise known as Azalea Festival).

I hope that you are enjoying the 5 DOWNLOADABLE patterns found on my website so far. Please share your photos with me when you can. Thanks for joining me here!

shown above: “FANNY THE FLAMENCO DANCER (OR AZALEA FESTIVAL) - BLOCK FIVE dark background with BUDS and DANCER instead of VIVID AZALEA BLOOMS, from “SYMPHONY OF BLUE WREATHS” FREE BOM!

A wired silk ribbon bud encased in an Ultrasuede calyx, with a single bead to tack it down and add interest. Sewn by machine with 1.0 width and 1.0 length zigzag, but oh how I love the luxury of time to hand applique. Your choice!

Introducing Fanny, the Flamenco dancer, from an Odile Bailloeul fabric; so bright and exciting. I used some flosses to stitch her hair and her decorative hair piece. she is even wearing her gold hoop earrings!

Above is the original Azalea Festival Block 5 that your pattern will show. Change it up however you are inspired to!

I decided that Fanny was too dark set against the black background so I drew about 1/4” outside her shape onto my Applique Foundation paper and auditioned some yellows and used my “Broderie Perse-Lique” technique to make a background for her.

Here I am just playing with leaves and blooms and deciding if I want to use 100% cotton for the blooms or the silk, multiple colors or just one. At this point, I have already lightly glued down the pieces at my Cutterpillar light board; pattern underneath the black and no marking needed - that’s a very strong illumination!!

I LOVE what “playfully applied” embroidery added after the applique is sewn can do to my blocks! I don’t always add it, but am always happy after I decide to. A sprinkling of brightly colored assorted seed beads really makes a difference, too.

JOIN IN THE FUN and make my Free Block of the Month, called “Symphony of Blue Wreaths” with us! patterns and downloads on my website: www.kathyduniganappliqueacademy.com Don’t forget: each month I try to share a new video or two with some techniques and information on Youtube - subscribe: @kathydunigan5867 and keep dropping in when you can for fun and appliqué tips! My “Broderie Perse-lique” technique is really allowing me to change up the original pattern and use some wonderful fabrics. Share with your friends and they can join in anytime. This would make a great group project to get together with quilt friends! (did I mention it is completely FREE?)

shown left: “SYMPHONY OF BLUE WREATHS” on dark background with brights from 2026

shown right : “SYMPHONY OF BLUE WREATHS” in original colorway from 2010

GO RIGHT NOW and see the BIG sales that CUTTERPILLAR is having! PLUS, my affiliate link is right here, so you can get a greater savings! I use their light box and little sewing machine light all the time! The incredibly bright lighting is actually letting me see right through my black background that I am making the Block of the Month with!

OCTOBER’S “GIVEAWAYS” for two lucky subscribers:

JENNINE POULIN

and

DIANE OKESON

Please email me at quiltedpeach@gmail.com to send your contact information. You have WON a beautiful applique kit with pattern, needles and a spool of thread! During the month of OCTOBER, reach out at: quiltedpeach@gmail.com and in the subject line, say “HI! Send me my loot”!

Facebook: The KATHY DUNIGAN ACADEMY OF APPLIQUE

Instagram: kathyduniganacademyofapplique

Youtube: @kathydunigan5867

A FEW EXCITING EVENTS ON THE HORIZON…

A FEW EXCITING EVENTS ON THE HORIZON…

NOV 13-15, 2026 - INTERNATIONAL QUILT FESTIVAL in Houston, TX - So happy to join this wonderful show again for my 10th year! MY CLASS DETAILS are ready for you at the above link with some seats still available and you can find the photos and supply lists on my student portal.

MAR 1-6 2027 - WOOHOO! Back to Williamsburg, VA we go to the ACADEMY OF APPLIQUE hosted by the incomparable Barbara Blanton! GET READY AND REGISTER QUICKLY ON SEPT 7, 2026! My student portal shows the classes, as well.

APRIL 21-24, 2027 AQS PADUCAH, KY - I am THRILLED to be teaching at Paducah next year! Watch for my class details soon!

MAY 3-4, 2027 Manatee Patch Workers Guild in Bradenton Florida - DETAILS SOON

MARCH 17-26, 2028 AQS SEAM SOUTHERN CARIBBEAN CRUISE featuring ARUBA, BONAIRE, CURACAO and more

MAY 3-8, 2028 - EMPTY SPOOLS SEMINAR - SESSION 5 - details soon!

*more guilds and shoppe classes will be posted shortly - just check back on my student portal at: www.kathyduniganappliqueacademy.com

Come join me for the ABOVE technique class and get professional results on your machine (provided). You’ll start on a cute sample provided by Kathy and the kit includes all you need to make a block or two. Kathy has a bonus pattern for you so you decide! Come in and jump in!

#742 APPLIQUÉ’ LIKE A PRO! Sunday Morning Class / 9 AM-Noon

Everyone, Process Oriented, BABY LOCK Sewing Machines Provided in Class

This skills class will teach prepared edge appliqué with foundation paper left in from square one to excellent results in three hours! Block will be sewn to learn machine appliqué, but technique is used for hand stitching as well. Kathy will provide absolutely everything needed in the required kits, including fat quarter background, except sharp, cut-to-the-point small scissors. Learn all the techniques in this short amount of time while working at your own pace on a small, prepared project. Don’t miss this one! www.kathyduniganappliqueacademy.com

*CLASS PRICE - $81 + KIT FEE + $20 = $101

Come join me in Houston!! I’ll have you LOVING appliqué! #586 AMERICAN PRIDE and PAPERCUTS - APPLIQUE

Friday Afternoon Class / 2-5 PM 3 HR (no machine)

Make papercuts or scherenschnitte like they used in Baltimore-style album quilts, but turn it up a notch! Celebrate unique blocks that you alone can design and learn a prepared-edge appliqué technique for handwork or machine work (later at home) that will be your "go to" method after this class! Learn onlaid and inlaid (reverse) appliqué to add to the excitement of this fun pattern by Kathy. Quilt shown is 42 inches x 45 inches, but you may make it any size. Choose to make one-color or many-colored blocks. www.kathyduniganappliqueacademy.com

*CLASS PRICE - $65 + KIT FEE + $15 = $80

This is gonna be SO MUCH FUN! Are you ready to learn from start to fantastic finish? Maybe you appliqué already but don’t get “show-stopping” results. Come on and grab a seat with me!

#626 APPLIQUE’ FLORAL ABUNDANCE - APPLIQUE

Saturday All-Day Class / 9 AM-5 PM / Lunch Break Noon-2 PM

Everyone, Design Work, Hand Sewing (sample sows machine work)

Take your appliqué to a new and exciting level (beginners welcome). Fill your elegant vase with lush, bold peonies and plump Ultrasuede berries. Let Kathy teach you how to design sweet flower buds with simple-to-use wired silk ribbons and just a sprinkle of embroidery and beads. Kathy will cover how she gets great results by machine or hand appliqué. www.kathyduniganappliqueacademy.com

CLASS PRICE - $115 + KIT FEE $40 = $155.

DON’T MISS REGISTERING SOON! A peek at “RHAPSODY OF ROSES” one of my two ACADEMY OF APPLIQUE projects for Williamsburg VA March 1 -6, 2027; and another closeup photo is here. So much to uncover with this 3 day project! There is a sister pattern called “Promise of Peonies” that I introduced last year and a (second photo here) that is available for purchase - just email me: quiltedpeach@gmail.com

This is a “special” block called “Floral Abundance - Williamsburg” or as I like to call it, “Flowers for Elly” (second photo here) that I designed especially for Academy of Applique. This retreat project delves deep with 3 full days and you are going to LOVE Elly Sienkiewicz’s oil pastel technique!

DESTIN, FLORIDA - I teach personal and small gatherings for you and your friends and can help you find the perfect location in my beautiful beach town, located in the Florida Panhandle. If you’ve never been to Destin - well, you really should get here! I work with any budget and can help to set it all up for you. Check Destin out here. and yes, for those of you that have met My Mathew, we are BOTH wishing you an OUTSTANDING OCTOBER!

Summer sunset in nearby Port St Joe, Florida

A note about my FREE BOM - normally this pattern would sell for $6 per month/13 months or as a full set for $40. IF you are so inclined and able, I would love for you to make a donation to a charity for underprivileged, abused, and neglected children. The RVSL Foundation exists to bring reversal to cycles of abuse, neglect, and exploitation by providing survivor-centered care, restoring hope, and creating pathways to healing and lasting freedom.Thank you.

Please share my newsletter with a friend if you enjoy it: https://kathydunigan.squarespace.com/contact-us as more news happens. NOW, back to having a Splendid September 2026! I hope that you join me for some Applique FUN soon!

All my best,

KATHY DUNIGAN