Butterfly Path Project

It's here...

Continuing with my quest… to use more of my stash fabrics, I attempt new ways to create interesting strip-pieced applique. Being passionate about machine fused applique, I continue to incorporate this idea into my own designs. So here is my third design: BUTTERFLY PATH to show you how easy it can be to use ONLY stash fabrics. Will you be able to accomplish this? I think you can… 

BORDER FABRICS

After selecting a group of fabrics for the borders, I needed a brown for the path. Once realizing that my chosen piece did not have enough yardage; I elected to use a variety of browns, instead.

And this is how using stash fabrics works: selecting and re-selecting until all fabric requirements are met.

BROWN FABRICS -- BUTTERFLY PATH

Summertime… a season that usually passes by too quickly; and thus, quilters love to add their favorite elements from nature’s splendor into their work.

This project represents that beauty; so allow your own stash fabrics to recreate this colorful design. Bring back the remembrance of those warm and sunny days; even when the weather is cold outside. Giving you the perfect setting, for dreaming about those delightful places where butterflies do play.

PIECED FLOWERS AND BUTTERFLY

Create your own butterfly path using pieced-fabric appliques and interesting pieced blocks for the garden setting. Add bright colors to remind you of summer; and quilt it as you desire.

BUTTERFLY PATH -- 19" X 36"

WHAT ABOUT THE BACKING?

Since I was on a quest to use fabrics already owned; I found myself wondering what to use for the backing fabric. Why not use leftover pieces from the border fabrics? OK

After measuring the pieces, none of them totaled enough yardage on their own; however, if they were pieced together, this would work. This is a great way to use leftover  pieces.  

PIECED FABRICS FOR BACKING

My experiment was to see if joining both batting and backing layers, in this manner; would aide the sandwiching process. 

PROCESS:
1) Use a quarter-inch seam allowance to join the fabrics.
2) Press all seams open. (I think this keeps them nice and flat.)
3) And so they don't misbehave, stitch along these seams (like stitch-in-the-ditch) sewing through both batting and backing layers, before adding the quilt top layer.

RESULTS:
I found this kept my seams nice and straight on the pieced backing.
I also, used less fusible spray in this process.
And, nothing puckered, as can happen when doing the sandwiching.
Gives those smaller pieces in the fabric stash an important job -- holding everything together.
And, a great habit to develop on future projects, to reduce the fabric stash.

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Need a peaceful and lovely quilt for a special corner in your home? Why not create a colorful path for butterflies to play, and allow you time to reflect on the summer's past adventures. 

For more on this quilt, and the pattern, visit my Craftsy store to see it; along with several other lovely fabric-pieced designs. 


Bring that stash to life... with a project perfectly suited to your own fabrics.