Whitework - Bluework?

About a month ago I posted a picture of an applique quilt block from the pattern "Whitework Sampler" by the Rabbit Factory. I used white on yellow fabrics. I wasn't happy with that, and experimented with a few different ideas, coming up with a scheme of a variety of blues on a range of tan/beige fabrics. I've now completed three blocks -

I strongly believe that to make machine fusible applique successful, the choice of thread is as important as the choice of fabrics! To me, if monofilament or a closely matching thread is used, the block just looks too flat. I love the look of closely blended colours in a variegated thread - for this quilt top I've chosen three different spools of blue that are each a range of blue, from YLI threads.

Sewing the edge finishes on the applique pieces takes a bit of practice, and its easy to sometimes stop paying attention as the work can be hynotizing! Go very slow, slower than you might think, then the turns will be smooth as you try to always keep the stitching at a right angle to the edge of the fabric.