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Hi strangers I know I haven't been on much, but working 3 jobs will do that to a girl. Should have a little more time now that I'm down to 2 for a while

I posted a while back about an old friend who was sending me his wife's clothes for a memory quilt for his daughter. He sent a huge box of her pajamas. Most are cotton, some are flannel, all different weights of fabric. So now I have to decide what to do.

My two thoughts are to either piece a heart quilt like we did for Nikki's cancer quilt (for those who remember that). My other thought is appliqued hearts out of the clothes.

I'm leaning toward applique for a few reasons. One is I think it'll be easier to work with if I get a quilting fabric for the backgrounds- the different pj's weights/thicknesses won't matter as much if they're appliques. The other is, I think since his daughter is little (6 or 7?) the quilt is likely to get a lot of wear and tear. Satin stitched hearts should hold up well. A pieced quilt would be more seams to wear out or tear if she uses and washes it a lot.

I also think I may try a memory bear out of some of the softer flannel pieces.

Thoughts?

Lisa

This message has been edited. Last edited by: LisaP8,

My GGMs older quilts were made with what she had on hand...she mixed corduroys and velvets...she mixed shirt-weight fabrics and flannels. As long as the quilt police are not involved you can do what you want.

If I were making the decision - it would definitely be pieced because piecing is faster for me.

I think your idea of appliquing the hearts would be perfect for a young girl. She will enjoy seeing the different ones that she remembers and feeling the softness of the patches. You could go crazy and really layer/overlap some of the hearts and have them in random directional positions. Every time she looks at that quilt she can be reminded of her mom's love for her.

Don't forget to use one of the hearts for the label.

Well, I have just recently found this https://www.superiorthreads.co...tes-fusible-web/read

and it is fusible thread for applique! What I liked about watcining the vidieos on this site (look to the right if you use the link!) it does not make the item stiff like 'normal' fusible applique does.

And do what you think would work for you for this project. I too would find piecing faster then applique, but that is because applique and I have a love/hate relationship!!! I love the look of it, but find it a bit fussy for me.... so finding this thread, I think for me is a Big Man upstairs sending it down!!!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: L.L.,

I went to that web site and there is an adorable heart quilt on the left hand side! I'll go back later and try to find the instructional video. Have some fusible thread on hand, but think it is fusible and thread combined so wouldn't work the way their's do.

They say to use their mono poly?? I think. I would have to go back and watch again, but they say any thread that won't stick would work - cotton thread, NO do not use!!! It would stick right to the fusible and not release like the one they use does!!!

So, I had to get myself some to give this a try.... and when I get some things done here, I am going to try it. Found rag a quilt that has appliqued hearts in the middle of some blocks, so I am right now doing some cutting... it's on my "have-to-try-this" list. And because I know I should not even be thinking about it, it's something I have out, but NEED to get others done first. But I am very excited to try this as I went and treated myself to some Ami Simms patterns (bugs!) And want to start them in the new year!!!! And this thread to me is such a great idea, I need to learn how to use it before I start so.....

This message has been edited. Last edited by: L.L.,

Would you consider a bullseye style quilt? You could mix and match the fabrics....I'm with KYIS about being able to do that.

You could do it in a heart motif, easy, and there is no applique to worry about, no fusible to worry about. I think it would be a lot easier and faster than using appliques. Each block wouldn't even have to be a heart, you could mix and match solids, blocks or circles with the hearts.

Here's a bed runner I did a couple years ago. I fringed my edges to give them a lacy look but it's not needed.

That is pretty!!!

Paus that's lovely! Thanks for the suggestions and ideas so far. Still mulling it all over....I have time today to do some thinkin'

Lisa

I just did a Stitcher's Garden quilt with applique. Instead of using a fusible and all the extra tracing and cutting out with that method I cut my designs with freezer paper and then used a glue stick to hold them in place before stitching. It worked well. I did the same with a needleturn piece I did. Leaves it soft and manageable. You can reposition if needed too.

● ● ● I think all that satin stitching is going to take a looooonnnnnnnngggg time. I would suggest raw edge applique. You could do it a number of ways.

Use a tighter stitch 1/8th in (I would do a double line), or you could fuse the edges and zigzag the edge.

You could also use the new yoyo makers - they have a heart shape.

I'm leaning towards chenille - layer a couple of hearts together, stitch every half or three quarter inches and then cut the top layers between the stitching.

If the pajamas are in good shape they should hold up well to numerous washings. Happy to see you on the board again.

Jayardi, I believe you and I are talking about the same method, only I call them bullseye blocks. Lay down two fabrics about 1 1/2" different in size, stitch through both pieces about 1 /4 - 1/2" from the edge of the smallest one. Flip the pieces over and cut the shape of the piece from the center of the larger piece of fabric by about 1/4" from the stitching. Add another fabric, stitch the second piece about 1/2" from the edge and so on. This method is seen frequently in the raggedy quilts.

This also allows or gives you the 'applique' like pieces to make another block in a smaller size until you get to the final addition.

I'll keep that method in mind- like reverse applique?

I think I may have found something:

http://www.modabakeshop.com/20...rt-garden-quilt.html

What do you think?

Lisa

Paus, is this the kind of thing you mean?

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8eJf...s1600/P7090771-1.JPG

Lisa

Nope, the pattern I show isn't quite like a reverse applique, unless you were doing it in reverse. lolllll I guess it would be similar, kinda. It's just everything stays on top instead of behind your top fabric while you're cutting away each layer underneath as you sew them.

Like the Moda Bake shop pattern. Cute.

The other link is a yes. As you can see, I didn't split my hearts, left them as one piece.