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Patchwork quilting - the 3Rs
Feb. 25th, 2008 03:58 pm..aka 'the next in a long line of time-consuming sedentary textile hobbies'
In NZ Robert and I stayed a couple of days with Dame Alys and Sir Ulf in Darton.
Among Alys' many, many, many fabric projects, she'd done a (totally modern, mundane) sampler quilt, to try out different quilting techniques. It was a riot of bold colours, with broad tie-dye 'frame' borders, about as far from the typical subtle florals and prints as you could get. It was fabulous.
We discussed fabric pr0n and the appeal of quilting vs other fabric hobbies. She pointed out the bits she thinks she could have done better, and which were the most traditional 'English' styles.
Patchwork (for bedspreads etc) is a decidedly 18th c. pastime, and one I associate strongly with American folk history - not an area that appeals to me much. However quilting (sewing together layers for padding or warmth) is much older, documentably medieval. And to date I've generally avoided the whole area: the precision required, the fabrics, the twee patterns didn't appeal.
I've done a couple of tied quilts as quick gifts for first babies, which was simply making a flat bag from a pretty kids print and some flannelette, stuffing it, and tying short lengths of floss through the layers to hold the wadding in place.
But Alys' quilt reminded me that I've promised myself I'll do something with all the damned fabric scraps, someday. Making a patchwork of my fabric scraps would be an excellent way to follow all three Rs.
So someday showed up on the weekend.
I googled for some general quilting info about techniques, to make sure I'm not missing anything terribly important. But for the 'crazy quilt' (ie no symmetrical pattern) most of the rules about precise cutting, which way to press seams, and comparative piecing techniques aren't needed.
My top layer is made of scraps of my wool fabrics from the past five years: scraps from cotes, hose, hoods and tunics. I'm cutting up a pair of wool blend hose that didn't work the way I wanted them to - but I think I might preserve the hose shape and work around it, just for fun. Most pieces are being cut or shaped into triangles or rectangles, and pieces are a bit big for traditional quilts - about 3x5" or larger. I want to enjoy this project, not have it take up the rest of my life.
As most of the wools have non-fraying edges, I'm lapping the edges by about 1/4" or less, and using two rows of running stitch to hold them together.
From reading about piecing techniques, I am considering one patterned section, in one corner - a block with a white kitty in a blue and orange kitty pi. Because if she was still around, she'd be snoozing on the fabric...
For my (as yet unstarted) backing layer, I want to piece it from my linen, cotton and muslin scraps. Most of them are white, with occasional random colours. I think I have enough scraps to do most of the backing, possibly supplementing with some new linen or cotton.
This layer, hopefully, will be pieced with conventional 1/4" seams and pressed. I may machine-sew this layer, as it's not as fun as sewing wool.
Stuffing is TBA: I want to put the 2 layers together and see how warm they are before deciding whether or not to stuff it. Apparently you can get bamboo fibre stuffing now, that is more eco-friendly than reg cotton or polyester, which would be cool. However, if I can avoid actually buying anything to complete the project I get extra smugness points.
I also have a lifetime supply of Ugly Colours of Embroidery Floss - the 'What the hell was I thinking?' type that lurk in the bottom of your floss box. (What on earth was I planning to do with this? I must have been on floss crack...)
These are ideal for embroidered edgings to reinforce any of the edges of the lightest, least-fulled wools that might start to fray.
For having just started on Sat, I'm pleased with my progress so far - after 2 days and three movies, I have an jagged, amorphous shape that is approximately the size of a small baby quilt. If I can keep this momentum up, I can finish the whole mess before we have to move - which would free up at least half a fabric box, a very satisfying result.
In NZ Robert and I stayed a couple of days with Dame Alys and Sir Ulf in Darton.
Among Alys' many, many, many fabric projects, she'd done a (totally modern, mundane) sampler quilt, to try out different quilting techniques. It was a riot of bold colours, with broad tie-dye 'frame' borders, about as far from the typical subtle florals and prints as you could get. It was fabulous.
We discussed fabric pr0n and the appeal of quilting vs other fabric hobbies. She pointed out the bits she thinks she could have done better, and which were the most traditional 'English' styles.
Patchwork (for bedspreads etc) is a decidedly 18th c. pastime, and one I associate strongly with American folk history - not an area that appeals to me much. However quilting (sewing together layers for padding or warmth) is much older, documentably medieval. And to date I've generally avoided the whole area: the precision required, the fabrics, the twee patterns didn't appeal.
I've done a couple of tied quilts as quick gifts for first babies, which was simply making a flat bag from a pretty kids print and some flannelette, stuffing it, and tying short lengths of floss through the layers to hold the wadding in place.
But Alys' quilt reminded me that I've promised myself I'll do something with all the damned fabric scraps, someday. Making a patchwork of my fabric scraps would be an excellent way to follow all three Rs.
So someday showed up on the weekend.
I googled for some general quilting info about techniques, to make sure I'm not missing anything terribly important. But for the 'crazy quilt' (ie no symmetrical pattern) most of the rules about precise cutting, which way to press seams, and comparative piecing techniques aren't needed.
My top layer is made of scraps of my wool fabrics from the past five years: scraps from cotes, hose, hoods and tunics. I'm cutting up a pair of wool blend hose that didn't work the way I wanted them to - but I think I might preserve the hose shape and work around it, just for fun. Most pieces are being cut or shaped into triangles or rectangles, and pieces are a bit big for traditional quilts - about 3x5" or larger. I want to enjoy this project, not have it take up the rest of my life.
As most of the wools have non-fraying edges, I'm lapping the edges by about 1/4" or less, and using two rows of running stitch to hold them together.
From reading about piecing techniques, I am considering one patterned section, in one corner - a block with a white kitty in a blue and orange kitty pi. Because if she was still around, she'd be snoozing on the fabric...
For my (as yet unstarted) backing layer, I want to piece it from my linen, cotton and muslin scraps. Most of them are white, with occasional random colours. I think I have enough scraps to do most of the backing, possibly supplementing with some new linen or cotton.
This layer, hopefully, will be pieced with conventional 1/4" seams and pressed. I may machine-sew this layer, as it's not as fun as sewing wool.
Stuffing is TBA: I want to put the 2 layers together and see how warm they are before deciding whether or not to stuff it. Apparently you can get bamboo fibre stuffing now, that is more eco-friendly than reg cotton or polyester, which would be cool. However, if I can avoid actually buying anything to complete the project I get extra smugness points.
I also have a lifetime supply of Ugly Colours of Embroidery Floss - the 'What the hell was I thinking?' type that lurk in the bottom of your floss box. (What on earth was I planning to do with this? I must have been on floss crack...)
These are ideal for embroidered edgings to reinforce any of the edges of the lightest, least-fulled wools that might start to fray.
For having just started on Sat, I'm pleased with my progress so far - after 2 days and three movies, I have an jagged, amorphous shape that is approximately the size of a small baby quilt. If I can keep this momentum up, I can finish the whole mess before we have to move - which would free up at least half a fabric box, a very satisfying result.
