Image quilts . . . I like seeing the various methods fiber artists painting their imaginative and prescient. I used to be impressed to create my very own image quilts however felt stymied by restricted drawing expertise. Over time and with a number of experimenting, I found that I used to be much less intimidated once I began with a tracing from {a photograph}. I then refined my image picture appliqué method, which incorporates freezer paper, glue stick basting, and machine appliqué. Its flexibility permits me to create representational or summary designs. The directions exhibit the method utilizing {a photograph} of a flower for instance, however hint any picture as your place to begin and use the directions to information you thru the inventive course of.
Supplies You’ll Want
Material for various design components and background
Unique or copyright-free photograph
Black ultra-fine everlasting marker
Washable/everlasting glue stick
Midweight fusible stabilizer (I used Pellon® 809 Décor-Bond®.)
Monofilament thread, each clear and smoke
Specialty threads—rayons, metallics, cottons for machine quilting and enhancing
Suggestions & Tips
As you select materials, pay attention to worth and distinction between the totally different design components, foreground figures, and background.
Plan what a part of the material you want to use and place the template to attain the look you’re after. This can be a sort of fussy chopping.
Step-by-Step Directions for How you can Make a Image Quilt
Use your individual photograph to create probably the most unique quilt. For functions of clarification, I’m demonstrating the creation of my quilt, “Fairly Yellow Coneflower II.” For follow, this copyrighted grasp picture map is out there as a digital obtain at quiltingdaily.com and may be printed on 8½ ” × 11″ paper after which enlarged as desired in photograph enhancing software program or at an workplace provide retailer.
Create the Grasp Picture Map
1
Place tracing paper on the photograph and hint the extra essential traces. Preserve the design easy. With a photocopier, enlarge the tracing to the dimensions of the completed quilt. That is your grasp picture map for assembling the template items. Don’t lower it aside.
2
Select letters to signify the weather within the design and quantity every template.
3
Add registration marks alongside the traces within the grasp picture map. These assist line up the items if you find yourself stitching the quilt collectively.
Be aware: Within the coneflower quilt, I assigned the flower as F after which every petal grew to become F1, F2, and so forth. The letter S was the sky and G was the bottom.
Put together the Templates
1
With an ultra-fine everlasting marker, hint the grasp picture map onto the paper facet of freezer paper. Switch the whole lot to the freezer paper together with the registration marks and the lettering system. Set the grasp picture map apart for future reference.
2
Minimize the freezer paper templates aside exactly on the traces, leaving 1″ across the exterior edges of the entire design.
Tip: Do Minimize sections one after the other to maintain the templates orderly.
3
With a sizzling iron and steam, press the plastic facet of the freezer paper templates to the fitting facet of the suitable materials. Press for about 10–12 seconds. Minimize the material round every template; together with an approximate ¼ ” seam allowance.
4
On every sample piece, fastidiously clip the curves each ½ “–1” for simpler turning.
Assemble the Appliqué
Be aware: This appliqué technique creates the phantasm of a completed edge whereas the piece is being glued collectively and assembled. The folded edges described under sit on high of the seam allowance of the adjoining piece of cloth. Cautious alignment of the registration marks on the freezer paper sample items makes this meeting technique attainable.
1
Cowl your work floor. Organize the template items so as.
2
Begin with the F2 flower petal template. Glue the skin convex seam allowance to the fallacious facet of the material, turning the template piece over and making use of glue to the seam allowance alongside the sting of the fallacious facet of the material.
Be aware: Keep in mind, the fitting facet of the material is roofed by the freezer paper.
3
Flip the template in order that the freezer paper is going through up. Pinch the seam allowance to the again, flush with the freezer paper. When the seam allowance is glued to the again, no material ought to be seen from the freezer paper facet.
4
Trim the surplus material from the purpose at a robust angle. Repeat the glue basting course of up the tip (adjoining to piece F3) of the petal.
5
To align 2 adjoining items (corresponding to F2 and F3), 1 of the seam allowances should stay open (not basted to the again). Swipe the glue stick alongside the open convex seam allowance of F3, then cosy piece F2 subsequent to F3, aligning the registration marks. At sure registration marks, a part of the seam is turned beneath and the remainder of the seam left open to be hooked up to the subsequent template. That is the case with F3—fold beneath and glue baste to the again the tip of the petal close to F2.
6
Comply with this glue-basting course of with all of the templates. Whereas working, preserve glued sections pretty flat to permit the glue to set. Full glue basting the coneflower petals, flower heart, and stem.
7
After the glue is about, take away the freezer paper.
Be aware: Eradicating the freezer paper is like opening a package deal and viewing your creation for the primary time. The glued seams could also be a bit fragile, so work fastidiously..
8
Stand again and consider your material selections. Verify that the worth and distinction is what you envisioned. In case you are utilizing materials of comparable worth, make certain there’s a easy transition from 1 material to a different.
9
Minimize a chunk of fusible stabilizer ½ ” smaller on all sides than the quilt high. Following the producer’s directions, fuse the stabilizer to the fallacious facet of the quilt high to offer the wall quilt extra assist after the ornamental stitching and machine appliqué have been added.
Full the Quilt
1
Utilizing a darning or zigzag foot and monofilament thread, arrange the machine for stitching a 1.5 zigzag sew. Clear monofilament thread can be utilized for the entire course of or change to smoke-colored on darkish materials.
2
Machine appliqué alongside every gluebasted seam edge to complete the highest and maintain the items collectively completely. (determine 6) Press nicely and add borders, if desired.
This image picture appliqué method is flexible — it may be used for easy pictures or extra advanced designs with ease. Take pleasure in experimenting with totally different pictures and see the place the method takes you!
Now that you just’ve received your sample items prepared, you may assemble the appliqué in line with your grasp picture map! Need extra useful ideas, methods, and tutorials for making superior artwork quilts? Get your copy of the June/July situation of Quilting Arts Journal right here!
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