Stained Glass Quilts

Book:

Simple Stained Glass Quilts by Daphne Greig & Susan Purney Mark

Time to reveal my project from the book - I choose to make the quilt - "In The Back Country"  (page 47)

Book, Focus Fabrics, Pattern

As I flipped through the book... this was the one that caught my eye first and a quick look through my fabrics made it my chosen project. There are so many great choices, and I will definitely be back to make another...

I want to stay true to my resolution to use my own fabrics, and to show you that it is possible to make beautiful quilts with the fabrics you already have in your possession. I also wanted to challenge myself and try fabrics that at first I may not have chosen, and still be able to create a beautiful quilt.

The Six Focus Fabrics

My favorite part was the drawing and cutting out of the leading. I love using paper-backed fusible and drawing out the patterns with pencil and cutting blade. I also marked on my drawing where to cut and where to watch out, so I would cut on the correct lines.

Cutting Out The Pattern From The Leading Fabric

It did not matter in the end, that I had made a few wrong cuts as everything was stitched down with a small zig-zag stitch (I used 2.0 / 0.8).  I stitched my leading down (fabric and batting only) and then attached the backing fabric. I prefer to hide my stitching and so do this in two separate stages.

First Two Sections Stitched Down (wrong-side)

It is the quilting of all three layers that is my least favorite. I haven't ventured into free-motion quilting yet, and so still stick with straight lines. Perhaps...one day I will be brave enough and learn to enjoy that part as well. But, for this year I am already challenging myself with new techniques that go beyond my favorite (fused applique) technique to broaden my quilting skills.

A teflon pressing sheet is definitely a good idea as you will see in the instructions. It really does protect your iron and your leading is held in place so it can be pressed in position correctly. I would recommend using a pressing sheet under your design as well as on top as the fusible webbing extends beyond the centre part of the cut leading. I ended up fusing my design down to the flannelette pad I had placed on my table, so I wouldn't have to move it on the ironing board. No worries... I just carefully pulled it off and it was fine.

I also make it a habit to cut a swatch from every fabric that I use in my projects (as I cut them) so I can later go back and see my fabric choices and have them available for creating scrapbook/journal pages of each quilt. I do not rely on memory because there is just too much information that will be lost. I plan to create a quilt journal page for each of these projects that are made in this 2010 journey.

In The Back Country

 Finished size: 20" x 22 1/2"

Next week...

My next book choice and then a reveal the following week. If you wish to see what books are being featured you can also check out my website for more details.

Happy stitching!!