Posts tagged: cuttinscrap

Woodland Applique

2018-09-24T02:57:59Z

Always Learning New Techniques #

When news comes in that your Best Friend is having a baby, I knew right away that a quilt was the way to go. I was so excited to take on this task, but at the same time I was worried it would not be done in time. My previous project took me 3 years…seriously!!! That’s why I went on a search for an easy method to making a cute project. I came across this Craftsy class. This is not sponsored by the way, just what I used. The official title was “Fusible Applique Made Easy” by Wendi Gratz_

About the Class #

This class was really quite easy. The videos did a great job at breaking things down into steps. This was my very first time doing anything with applique or even quilting as I went. These will be steps that I hope to use in future quilts. Some of the things that challenged me quite a bit with this project were all the different curves of the animals. I finally figured out that if you used the hand turn on the machine you could achieve the right curves. That was surprisingly difficult for me to do. I don’t know what it is, but usually when I am sewing I want to go fast. Fast is not always the answer. I am working at this, and learning that I can’t sew when I have a million different things on my list.

Making It Mine #

Other fun qualities of this quilt was that I was able to personalize the pattern. I added arrow blocks, a skunk, and a hedgehog. To make the arrows I simply just drew what I was looking for on the fusible interfacing and ironed it on. One tip to make sure you pay attention to is the image on the interfacing needs to be mirrored. The skunk was made using the squirrel pattern and just adding a white stripe, and the hedgehog was a free coloring page I came across that I traced onto the fusible interfacing.

Finishing Touches #

I finished this quilt up by adding cuddle fleece to the back, and just stitched in the ditch to attach it. Next time I would probably use fleece on the back side, as I don’t care to work with cuddle fleece. I purchased biased tape to go around the border with. Everything I got to make was purchased from my local big box fabric store. I only have one quilt shop close by, 35 minutes away, so I don’t always get over there.

The Big Reveal #

My friend loves it. It turned out so cute, and really turned me onto wanting to do some more applique in the future. I got to go visit her after she had her baby and her little man looks adorable on all of those animal faces.

Sorry there isn’t a ton of pictures of the construction. This project was made over a year ago, before Cuttin Scrap was in my mind. I can’t wait to bring you all on the journey of crafting with me. Where the road is never straight. It’s time to clean up the scrap, and make way for the next project. Until Next Time!

Waylon’s Wooden Quilt

2018-09-23T02:11:43Z

As a beginning quilter, I decided, what’s the best quilt to start with? Ah ha…I know! I should design my own. I don’t know what I was thinking. This quilt took me a couple years to complete, and a down right new respect for learning to quilt.

Quilting Process #

I finished it as I started it, being the first quilt I free motion quilted. It turned out better than I expected, and Waylon loves it!

Look at that hot man in his quilt. Proud wife.

What I learned #

I wish I could tell you the step by step instructions to creating this piece, but all I can tell you is that the inside square was created by me cutting fabric, screwing up, and trying to salvage what I had just done, because hot damn fabric is expensive. So, if you learn anything from this pathetic tutorial is my name is Rhiannon, don’t be like Rhiannon. Well, at least the 2014 Rhiannon. Now, the 2018 me is half a lung down and has my shit together. That was fun, just to write. Enough shit to make a plan before starting the quilt.

However, I did record the process of me trying to accomplish a wood grain quilting pattern. I sort of accomplished it. Not to bad for my first time.

Grandpa’s Cabin

2018-09-23T02:11:43Z

In Loving Memory of Grandpa Haight

I am a firm believer that there are things in life that remind us of our loved ones, and even help us feel their presence when they are gone. For my in-laws an Eagle is the representation that reminds us of Grandpa Haight. He was a great man and I am honored that I got to know him. I made this wall hanging to represent him flying above his cabin and forever flying in our hearts.

Things Needed #

I used this picture of the cabin and Photoshop to eliminate some of the detail to posterize the image. This gave me a rough outline of different shades and colors to use. Then I mirrored the image, to get the desired orientation for later on in the process.

Printed it out at the final dimensions with a colored printer on regular paper to create template. To get the shapes used for the piecing, I took a sharpie and traced the main outlines of the different shades of color on the posterized design on the copy paper. I shot for large blocks of color, but made sure to leave the organic shapes so that you could recognize the objects later on. For the fabric I used fat quarters from a local big box fabric store. It is important to try and match the main background of the fabric to the appropriate shades on the image. However, patterns on the fabric are ok as long as the main color of the fabric is the right shade of color. To choose the proper colors I took my print out with me to the store. (Unless you are going for an artistic view of the image then you could mix up what colors you are going for.) Along with the fat-quarters I used Heat n’ Bond Featherlight iron- on backing. I found it easiest to purchase this by the yard.

Layout #

When designing the layout it is important to pre-plan. I used a code that I wrote on my printed out design. Example: LB1: Light Blue 1, DG1: Dark Green 1. I then would give each section a two letter code and number. Multiple areas with the same color would get the same two letter code but a different number. By numbering the various colors this helped me when moving on to tracing the pieces on the Heat n’ Bond and provided a map to use during assembly. Make sure you transfer your numbers onto the Heat n’ Bond, so that you know the location of the pieces when you cut them out. When using the Heat n’ Bond you lay it on the image you printed out with the shiny side down and trace. Trace each shape one at a time, leaving cutting room around the shapes. When you are assembling you will want some overlap on some of the pieces so make sure to allow extra space during the tracing, but also in certain areas you will want clear crisp lines. Think ahead and plan how the assembly process will go, and what shapes will be in the foreground vs background.

Assembly #

I used my backing for the entire wall hanging as my base to iron on the pieces to. Make sure that you lay it right side down and iron onto the wrong side. I also found it easiest to attach the Eagle all at once before attaching him fully to the image. By doing this I could play with his placement. Just be careful when ironing that you don’t peal too much of the backing off of the eagle, otherwise you might end up sticking him to your ironing board. Finally lay all your pieces down and adjust them till you are happy with the final look. This is a good time to make any extra trimmings if a shape isn’t coming out exactly how you had planned. When you are happy with the placement, grab your iron. Make sure not to drag your iron, but instead lift and place it, dragging your iron could scoot your pieces. Once everything is ironed on, you can begin sewing. This is where you bring detail and character to your image.

Learned #

I am not a Photoshop Pro, and I am not even sure I can walk you through the steps to achieve the posterized image above, but I am one that Google, and Youtube searches everything, until I am able to get the look I am going for. During the tracing aspect of this project it is important to trace each shape separately. I made the mistake to try and trace the entire image all at the the same time without gaps, and that doesn’t allow extra fabric to achieve the layered effect. I also learned that you have to be careful not to over iron spots with the Heat n’ Bond. I noticed that spots that were over ironed didn’t attach well. Just like with the quilt that I made using applique, sew slow to get the clean corners and curves, but this is abstract art so don’t be afraid if your lines aren’t perfect.

Loved #

There is something about completely designing a project from start to finish, and it turning out exactly how you have it pictured in your mind. This was a special project, and I really wanted to make sure to capture his cabin while incorporating the action of the eagle flying. I love how this turned out and it was recognized immediately when given as a gift. Now that is a win!!!