I decided it was high time I started on my Goddess quilt - Express Your Love. A quilt many of us are making following along with Leah Day's Free Motion Quilting Project.
When she came up with the idea that all of us will be working on this quilt together, I thought it would be great to at last learn the 'no sewing until you quilt it' technique.
Its nice how things come together. I bought the "No Sewing Until You Quilt It - Super Combo" book, that includes a DVD and 1 yard (big enough for this quilt) of french fuse from her quilt shop Day Styles Designs just before Christmas. So I had everything I needed to carry on with this project.
Except experience of course, this will be my 1st try at this technique, and so far it is much easier than first anticipated.
I did however make some changes to the design and that's her hair. I am having the background all black instead of two colours, I will just quilt in those lines later.
As you can see from the picture below, the curves on this piece is not as smooth as I would have liked it to be. I just cant get the outside curves right. I wonder if I should try and needle turn applique those parts instead of gluing them down...
There is one thing that bothers me about the piecing. I fused the background colour which is black down first. But the coloured fabric that goes on top is quite transparent, and you can see the seam allowance through the fabric. To take this whole quilt apart would mean I will have to start all over. And I'm more than half way. I'm also wondering if the quilting itself wont cover it enough to not be so visible... What would you do?
Another question, to those who also live in South Africa - I have inquired quite a few local online quilt shops, and non of them have french fuse, do any of you know if we have this product available here in South Africa and where I could buy it, or at least a substitute?
I am linking up to: Leah Day's FMQ Project - UFO Sunday & Flamingo Toes - Think Pink Sundays
Another question, to those who also live in South Africa - I have inquired quite a few local online quilt shops, and non of them have french fuse, do any of you know if we have this product available here in South Africa and where I could buy it, or at least a substitute?
I am linking up to: Leah Day's FMQ Project - UFO Sunday & Flamingo Toes - Think Pink Sundays
Happy quilting.
17 comments:
Dit lyk regitg interessant...ek kan nie wag om die eindproduk te sien nie xx
I'm so curious how this technology works and how your goddess will look.
How wonderful that you've started on Express Your Love. I'm waiting on the panel from Spoonflower (I'm basically a lazy quilter). I think yours is going to be wonderful.
Are you using batiks? They shouldn't show thru.
For the colored sections, you could trapunto them. This would mute to background. I've never used French fuse so I'm not sure how this would work.
I have rarely done fusible applique, so am not sure what to suggest. Could you not fuse an additional pink fabric on top of your existing pink? I haven't seen this kit before - and I thought it would be pre-printed, or is that only the spoonbill kit? I'm sure you will find a way to do it!
No I'm not using batiks, I bought (some time ago) had dyed fabric from a local online shop. I am very disappointed, I really dontt want to 'redo' this quilt...
Thanks for the tip, I will think about it. The pre-printed panel is an option, some are outlining the design on a whole cloth, but I really wanted to piece my own.
French fuse is a light and thin piece of fabric that has a textured side that you can 'fuse' fabric onto, which is exactly what I've done here, trapunto is great idea, but doubt it will hide that ugly seam allowance.
Thanks Pat, I considered buying the panel too, but since I live in South Africa, postage is just too expensive and takes what feels like forever, so I thought of using what I already have...
I like what you've done with her hair. I've not tried this technique, but if I understand correctly, your pink fabric pieces are turned under and fused to the black background. I see how this is a problem for the seam allowance showing through. (If you only fuse the seam allowance, can you cut the background fabric away from under the pink?)
I think it's entirely likely you won't notice this on the finished top, though. I am not happy with the (lack of) intensity of color in my colored-pencil ribbons after they were sealed, but there is going to be so much colorful thread between the words and echo of the words that I think it won't matter.
It will be fun to watch your transition! Thanks so much for sharing!
Hi, yours is the first I am blogging have never done this so bare with me .
I also am doing this project and not having sucess I printed and taped the pattern . I used a sewing film that I had from doing Photo Quilting , traced and started to sew pattern , in the end you are supposed to be able to iron off and it will disappear not so. I only did a bit so will be starting over any suggestions thought to use tracing paer or freezer paper and start with outline first?? or my grandson is an artist I can get him to draw picture on material if need to
Are you having trouble tracing the design onto a piece of fabric? Have you tried to use a light box, a glass top table with a bright light underneath, or you could also try to use a large window?
http://youtu.be/krSHQX0CuFE here is a link that will help you to mark your whole cloth.
I do a lot of appliqué and if it is going to show through I double the fabric. I take 2 pieces and fuse them together first then make my shape and apply to my project. It really helps with light colors. You may be able to add it without taking it apart. I have also pulled pieces off by reheating them with the iron and pulling thm off while they are hot and the glue is soft. Good luck with express you love!
Thanks for your advice Kristin, I will give it a try...
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