The last post showed the same quilt pattern, one in pastel fabrics, and one in primary fabrics.
And each used fusible applique, but in different ways.
The pastel ABC's and 123's where done using a technique in which the fusible is only on the outer 1/4" edge of the fabric.
The reverse of the design is traced onto one side of the fusible, and roughly cut out, leaving fusible beyond the outside edge. Then another cut is made 1/4" in from the edge, on the inside of the design. This skinny, stringy piece is then fused to the wrong side of the fabric. The fabric and excess fusible are cut away on the outside, leaving something like this.
The paper backing is peeled away, and the letter gets fused in place. Adding a stabilizer on the back, the fused letter gets a blanket stitch edging.
And on the backside, the extra backing and stabilizer are trimmed away, without cutting the applique.
This technique removes any bulk or stiffness the applique might have, and also eliminates show through. That was my concern on this quilt, since everything was so pastel.
On the primary quilt, the letters and numbers where completely fused in place. No need to worry about show through on this quilt. And I didn't fret about stiffness either. So the blanket stitch wouldn't pucker, I used a paper like stabilizer on the backside,
which I tore out afterwards.
Identical quilts, different techniques. And I think that the technique used really depends on the quilt. A complete fuse may work fine, but for some quilts, maybe not. Possibly a completely different technique of applique is warranted. It really all depends on the quilt, it's use, and my time.
Applique. To be continued...
Happy Quilting!
This ABC quilt has waited for almost 3 months to be quilted, and now it's finished! Done in primary colors,
it's my same pattern as the quilt top I used for testing an Innova machine, except that one was in pastels.
Also, there was a slight change in the design--no four patch squares in the primary one.
Here are some quilting closeups. The background is a simple arching fill, with ruler work in the blue and yellow parts, and a swirl design for the green strips. The Innova made those so simple!
This one also has a machine sewn binding, using a interesting technique to form the green piping.
A Yahoo list mom suggested it, and I thought I would try it on this quilt. Certainly gave this quilt a neat finish!
Update: check out the piped binding tutorial!
Happy Quilting!
Browsing through my local library's new book section, I came across this one from 2013, Diamond Chain Quilts by Barbara Cline. (affiliate link)
Now I know it's not from my personal library, but there's something I saw in it that sparked my creativity. Remember my leftover diamond pieces I was playing with?
And this?
So, the goal this month is to not necessarily make a new quilt, but build on ideas I've started. Goodness knows, I have plenty of those!
I hope that you, too, find something to spark your creativity, and that it gives you the needed boost to finish up a project!
Happy Quilting Everyone!
