Thought I ought to post about my current project. This is going to be a large bed quilt. A wedding present for a dear friend who was married in January this year. She knows it's coming and is prepared to wait. I started it late as was finishing another for my niece who was married last year.
This picture on the left shows what it will look like when finished....only I am doing it longer and a complete set of panels wider....ie four applique panels.
I am doing the applique using the "freezer paper" method. This involves cutting out the pieces of fabric in mirror image, ironing it onto the reverse of the fabric, cutting out with an 1/8th of an inch margin, painting the edges with spray starch, and then ironing it over the edge of the paper. When it is dry and cold I carefully peel off the freezer paper (the template can be used many times) and laying my piece of fabric on the wholecloth background. Then it can be stitched by hand or machine. The starch in the applique piece makes it easy to pin and work with.
I am stitching the pieces on using my sewing machine on buttonhole stitch. It comes out very neatly and I know that it will be strong and last
their lifetime!
The photo doesn't do the fabrics justice. The background is a strong yellow, and the fabrics are from the Folk Art Wedding range that I collected over many years with this friend's wedding in mind. I did quilts for 4 of her sisters....all younger than her...so I knew she'd want one eventually.....and as she is very special to me I enjoyed collecting them.
I know she won't see this before it is done and spoil the surprise because she has no computer!
I will eventually hand quilt it as she deserves it! I like hand quilting in the winter as it makes me very warm snuggled up under the floor standing hoop frame. I should have it ready to start quilting by September and then hope to finish it before their first anniversary.
