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.

Playful Tulips Project

It's here!

Going on another quest… to use up more of my stash fabrics, I discovered how much fun it was to make stunning strip-pieced applique. 

Being passionate about machine fused applique, I wanted to incorporate this idea into my own designs. So here is my first design: PLAYFUL TULIPS to showcase some bright and colorful pieced-fabric appliques. It’s such a great way to bring renewed interest in your own stash fabrics.

Flowers bring us so much cheer; and who doesn't love the TULIP for it brings to us the promise that spring will soon be here again! Peeking out from under the snow, it truly is a delightful sight!

So whether spring is soon to appear in your part of the world, or it still feels like a distant memory; this may be the perfect project to make to brighten your home, or to make as a gift, to bring cheer to someone you love.

I generally use darker colors for background fabrics; however, this one may be the exception because I wanted to contrast this changeover in seasons, with how it looks in real life. Here the snow is represented in white; and the colorful bulbs that burst forth with enthusiasm; are showcased in bright colors using the pieced-fabric technique.

  

Why not try this delightful table runner to celebrate the promise of spring, or to brighten up your living space at any time of year?

PLAYFUL TULIPS -- 15" x 45"

PLAYFUL TULIPS DISPLAYED ON CABINET

This pattern is now available at my Craftsy store. Wish to check it out then click HERE.

Spread joy with flowers!

Blue Moon Tutorial

Need a quick and easy mini quilt to make for someone?

Would you like to try something new? 

How about this 'pieced-fabric' applique project? 

MINI QUILT  TUTORIAL and free e-PATTERN

BLUE MOON

PATTERN AVAILABLE HERE.
Select a random range of colors and let's begin....


MY VERSION:

• Eleven different colors for the quilt block. And two different fabrics in black for the border. 
• All strips are 1-1/4" wide. (And taken from my strings collection drawer.)
• Once the string block was made, I dug into my miscellaneous applique leftovers to find: 
• three orange stars, 
• a blue circle; 
• and a black pieced butterfly.
• Then, I tossed them on the block to see how they would fit, and liked how they looked. 
• As the appliques had already been fused to fabric, it was a quick job to add them to the block.
• Stitching around each applique in black thread using a pin stitch was quick and easy. ( I layered the batting and quilt top together for this step.)
• Then, the backing fabric was added to complete the quilt sandwich. Using a straight stitch to outline each applique finishes the quilt off quite neatly. 
• And, finally; a quick job of adding the binding, and it is ready to enjoy!

WHAT WILL YOUR VERSION LOOK LIKE?  
Sure.. it will be similar; however, because your scrap basket and strings are different then mine; your mini quilt will be unique to your own treasured stash. So... why not try one today?

BLUE MOON

The blue circle ... on the quilt made me think of that phrase we hear sometimes: 'Once in a Blue Moon', so I have decided to call this one: "Blue Moon". 

“Every once in a blue moon, something new comes along that 
scrambles your preconceptions.” ~Author unknown

(10-1/2" x 10-1/2")

FABRIC REQUIREMENTS:

Front : 11 fabric strips (1-¼” wide x 9-½” long)

Border: 4 strips (1-¼” wide x length of side)

Back – 11” x 11” piece

Applique Design –                                      

                                          STARS: 2” x 5” piece              

                     MOON: 4-½” x 4-½” piece                                           

                                          BUTTERFLY: 3-½” x 4” piece; or pieced-fabric section: 5 strings x 4” wide

Binding – 1 piece: approx. 58” long x 2-¼” wide  (extra 6” included in measurement)

OTHER SUPPLIES:

Fusible web – 6” X 8” piece

Batting – 11” x 11” piece

Sewing thread – colors of your choice

BLOCK FRONT - SIDES TRIMMED

BLOCK PREP AND CONSTRUCTION:

1.   If you do not have prepared strings, then cut 11 strips each 1-¼” wide by approximately 9-½” long. (The block will be trimmed, once pressed.)

2.   Sew these 11 strips together to make your pieced-fabric block.

3.   Press seams carefully. (You may press them open or towards one side.)

4.   Then trim so block is 9” wide. Cut only the two sides so ends of strips are even. (Strips run horizontally.)

5.   Block should now be 9” x 9”. (If not, adjust the measurements when cutting border strips.)

6.   Measure block to ensure correct lengths are cut for each border strip. In total, cut four strips, 1-¼” wide. (I’ve used strings the same width as were used in my block.)

7.   This project uses these measurements for the border: (Sides: 9” long. Top/Bottom: 10-½” long.)

8.   Add side strips first; and then measure again, and cut strips for the top and bottom borders.

9.   Press these seam allowances towards the border.

10. Cut batting layer and backing fabric each approximately 11” square. (Make these at least ½” larger than the top layer.) Set backing fabric aside, until ready to add.

11. Take your front fabric block (right side facing up) and place on top of your batting piece. Pin or use spray adhesive to hold them in place.

12. Add appliques to the batting/quilt top layers, using your favorite stitches and thread colors. This is my preferred method, as it creates a neater finish on the back of this mini quilt. (If you prefer, you can place all three layers together and do your fancy stitching around the applique design, all in one step.)

13. Now add the backing fabric. You may use pins or adhesive spray to hold layers together. Place batting on wrong side of backing fabric and stitch through all three layers. (Use a 2.5 or 3.0 length straight stitch to outline each applique.)

14. Lastly, add your binding. And if desired, finish with a label.

ADDING BINDING

Note: If making your block larger; than adjust the lengths for the border strips. If desired, you may also use a wider width for the border. 

APPLIQUE CONSTRUCTION:

1. Trace applique pieces onto paper-backed fusible web and follow manufacturers’ instructions for attaching to fabric.  (Patterns have been reversed for you.)
2. Set pieces aside, until ready to add to the quilt block.
3. When applique pieces are ready to stitch down, select your stitch type and thread color(s). This project uses only black thread on all applique pieces. You may choose to match the thread color to the fabric, if desired. 

If you wish to make the butterfly with a string pieced section, prepare the fabric section by sewing together 5 strings that are at least 4” in length. Once section is complete, press seams OPEN. Then continue with the fusible web instructions.

'PIECED FABRIC' BUTTERFLY

Pattern Download: Please join as a follower... if you like this design and are interested in seeing more free projects on this blog. As I do plan on adding more; however, am curious to see how effective doing both a tutorial and a downloadable pattern will be for me. Or, if I should concentrate more on providing these designs through my Craftsy store. Thanks for your feedback.

Bring that 'once in a blue moon' feeling just a bit closer with this delightful project. Happy stitching...

    

Pieced Fabric Applique

The desire to use up my own scraps, was the main reason I began searching for other methods; and there are many beautiful books on the market to achieve that goal. Since machine applique is my fave technique, I also wanted to use my scraps in new applique projects when either making quilts or designing my own patterns.

THAT NEXT.. APPLIQUE PROJECT

1. Ready to create that next applique project you've just purchased, but don't have the best colors in your scrap basket?
2. Love applique; but don't wish to cut up those fabulous new fabrics in your stash to find that perfect color? 
3. Are you tired of seeing your stash fabrics eaten up when making those special applique projects? 
4. When it comes time to cut longer strips for borders and such, the perfect piece isn't quite long enough because you've been using it for your applique designs? 
5. Wondering how you can solve this dilemma? Then read on...
   
   
   
   
   So, why not make your own fabric pieces for your 
   appliques? ...The results may simply amaze you!

MAKE YOUR OWN

Have you ever considered making your own pieced fabric for your applique designs? It is really quite simple. If you have been using strips and odd-shaped scraps when making scrappy quilts, you've already sewn together smaller pieces of fabric. The next step.... is to use some of those pieced sections for your appliques.

I first tried this on the flowers when making the "Garden's Edge" quilt using only selvages. And I got amazing comments for this creative method.  I'd like to say that I was the one to invent this technique; however, it had already been done using fabric strips.  [See my post on selvage quilts... here.]

So, why not try this alternate method.... the next time you can't find that perfect color; and make those applique designs unique on that next project.



Featured Book:
String Quilts by Elsie M. Campbell

Still new to this technique; or just wish to find out more on how to make string quilts?

The book: "String Quilts" by Elsie M. Campbell is very informative and laid out well to guide you along in this process.

The section entitled: "Elsie's Top Tips for Successful String Quilts" is especially informative and will teach you everything you need to know about this innovative technique. The book provides 10 fun patterns and a gallery of projects inspired by other quilters when using strings, squares, diamonds, and triangle shapes.

Patterns in this Book:
Purple Pride, Purple Posies*; Unique Batik, Pots of Flowers*; Dad's Plaids, Plaid Poppies*; Picket Fence; Diamond in the Rough; Autumn Stars; Square Dance.   [*Appliqued Projects]

It was the project "Plaid Poppies" featured on page 47, and also shown on the book's cover; that has always intrigued me. But I didn't know why, exactly. Yes, I love poppies, but why else?

I've had the book for some time now; but it wasn't until I began thinking again about string quilts, and also planning this blog that I looked (read all the information pages) and had that "ah ha" moment. It was then, that I seen it for the first time.... that the flowers are constructed from pieced fabric. Aren't they amazing?

Check it out for yourself....

Book: String Quilts by Elsie M. Campbell

Currently, I am designing and working on several quilt projects that feature this "pieced fabric" technique; and should be available to purchase, hopefully later this year. However, if you wish to try this method now, check out the featured book, shown above.


Amaze yourself and create something unique...