New Quilt Project Advice Needed Please
Hi Ladies!
I was so excited when I got my new Easy Dresden Tool and my first charm pack from MSQC that I just had to try cutting out the plate wedges. So I made the 5inch wedges like in Jennys Dresden tutorial and sewed them together. I then had to decide on what to do for the center of the flower. I picked out some fabric from my stash and decided to try this product called "Texture Magic" which results in a cool textured pattern on any fabric you apply it to. You have to pattern stitch or stipple a sheet of texture magic to the wrong side of your fabric, then apply steam to cause the fabric to shrink by 30%. The shrinkage is what creates the ridges and textured effect to the fabric. You then cut out whatever shape you need the fabric in to apply to your project. This is my first time using it but I think it might work great for small areas of applique that can be added to a quilt.
FLOWER CENTER USING TEXTURE MAGIC.jpg
So after I had my flower made, I thought I needed a color separation between my flower and the intended background material (a sunny yellow fabric), so I decided to cut out a piece of white fabric by outlining the shape of the flower but making the edges scalloped. My original plan was to have each flower point centered in the middle of each scallop point, but after cutting and pressing the white fabric I must have stretched it a little or did poor cutting because my points did not match up. So I just rotated the flower so that the flower points were placed in the valley of the scalloped edge instead. Its not perfect and I had to trim some of the scallops to be a little more uniform but I think it might work.
DRESDEN FLOWER WITH WHITE SCALLOPED BACKING.jpg
Basically I guess the flower will just be a big applique which I will later add appliqued stems, leaves and other smaller Dresden flowers to. I'm planning on using a contrasting color fabric border and possibly using a 2.5 inch JellyRoll as a trim border or for the binding. I am thinking I will try to Satin Stitch the raw edge of the white scallops because trying to turn the edges under and blindstitching may be more tricky. I am worried though that my applique might pucker when it comes to the final quilting with the batting and backing in place?
But this gets to my question. I don't really have a clue yet what my final project is going to be. It might be a table top square or wall hanging, or I could make it a narrow runner. I know I am always getting the cart before the horse and should have a well made plan before I ever cut my first piece of fabric....but I just don't have the patience! Please someone tell me if I am shooting myself in the foot before I even get started?
I have enough charm squares to make another large flower like this one and then I think I can make two 3.5inch Dresden flowers and two 2inch Dresden flowers to place strategically between the large flowers by placing them along a path of appliqued stems and leaves. I guess I will make all the flowers first, then decide on the size and shape of the background fabric and start planning large flower placement so I can then figure out where to place stems and leaves and small flowers. Then decide on fabric framing, borders and binding? I know I'm probably going about this all wrong, but I figure its a learning process!
P.S. WOW!! While I was typing this post I got a phone call from Natalie from the MSQC Shop! She had a question on my order yesterday, but I got a chance to ask her a few questions about this project! She gave me some great advice...said that lots of times they are not sure what their project will end up being when they start it...but that's part of the fun! She also advised that I use a fusible to smoothly attach my Dresden flowers to the background fabric so that way it won't shift and pucker when it comes time to do the final quilting! I'm so glad she called....and I even got some tips on places to look for a motel when we come up next week for the shop hop! Thanks Natalie! (and BillNye sorry for calling you "Bill" in a few posts...I just assumed that was your name!....hope you have rested up since yesterday's whirlwind of activity!)
MSQC...thanks for the great service!
I was so excited when I got my new Easy Dresden Tool and my first charm pack from MSQC that I just had to try cutting out the plate wedges. So I made the 5inch wedges like in Jennys Dresden tutorial and sewed them together. I then had to decide on what to do for the center of the flower. I picked out some fabric from my stash and decided to try this product called "Texture Magic" which results in a cool textured pattern on any fabric you apply it to. You have to pattern stitch or stipple a sheet of texture magic to the wrong side of your fabric, then apply steam to cause the fabric to shrink by 30%. The shrinkage is what creates the ridges and textured effect to the fabric. You then cut out whatever shape you need the fabric in to apply to your project. This is my first time using it but I think it might work great for small areas of applique that can be added to a quilt.
FLOWER CENTER USING TEXTURE MAGIC.jpg
So after I had my flower made, I thought I needed a color separation between my flower and the intended background material (a sunny yellow fabric), so I decided to cut out a piece of white fabric by outlining the shape of the flower but making the edges scalloped. My original plan was to have each flower point centered in the middle of each scallop point, but after cutting and pressing the white fabric I must have stretched it a little or did poor cutting because my points did not match up. So I just rotated the flower so that the flower points were placed in the valley of the scalloped edge instead. Its not perfect and I had to trim some of the scallops to be a little more uniform but I think it might work.
DRESDEN FLOWER WITH WHITE SCALLOPED BACKING.jpg
Basically I guess the flower will just be a big applique which I will later add appliqued stems, leaves and other smaller Dresden flowers to. I'm planning on using a contrasting color fabric border and possibly using a 2.5 inch JellyRoll as a trim border or for the binding. I am thinking I will try to Satin Stitch the raw edge of the white scallops because trying to turn the edges under and blindstitching may be more tricky. I am worried though that my applique might pucker when it comes to the final quilting with the batting and backing in place?
But this gets to my question. I don't really have a clue yet what my final project is going to be. It might be a table top square or wall hanging, or I could make it a narrow runner. I know I am always getting the cart before the horse and should have a well made plan before I ever cut my first piece of fabric....but I just don't have the patience! Please someone tell me if I am shooting myself in the foot before I even get started?
I have enough charm squares to make another large flower like this one and then I think I can make two 3.5inch Dresden flowers and two 2inch Dresden flowers to place strategically between the large flowers by placing them along a path of appliqued stems and leaves. I guess I will make all the flowers first, then decide on the size and shape of the background fabric and start planning large flower placement so I can then figure out where to place stems and leaves and small flowers. Then decide on fabric framing, borders and binding? I know I'm probably going about this all wrong, but I figure its a learning process!
P.S. WOW!! While I was typing this post I got a phone call from Natalie from the MSQC Shop! She had a question on my order yesterday, but I got a chance to ask her a few questions about this project! She gave me some great advice...said that lots of times they are not sure what their project will end up being when they start it...but that's part of the fun! She also advised that I use a fusible to smoothly attach my Dresden flowers to the background fabric so that way it won't shift and pucker when it comes time to do the final quilting! I'm so glad she called....and I even got some tips on places to look for a motel when we come up next week for the shop hop! Thanks Natalie! (and BillNye sorry for calling you "Bill" in a few posts...I just assumed that was your name!....hope you have rested up since yesterday's whirlwind of activity!)
MSQC...thanks for the great service!
but fabric talks to me all the time. 
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