Old windows and a few quilting squares make a projectBy Michele Beschen
Sept. 11, 2006—A pile of old windows has been standing in the corner of my garage for quite some time, beckoning me to transform them into something other than a dirty resting place for old rugs and moving blankets.
The moment of inspiration came recently after stumbling upon some vintage quilt blocks that, unfortunately, never got past the first round. Certainly they were never close to finding their way to a bed.
Still, they are the most amazing combinations of fabrics, and each block looked like a beautifully stitched flower. Now I love to create just about anything and everything, but the likelihood of me finding the time to actually properly piece them together and finish the quilt was slim to none. I'm the kind of gal who looks at those blocks and thinks, "What else could I do with those things?"
That's what triggered the whole concept of placing fabric under glass. And that, in turn, offered up a chance to release a few of those windows from their imprisonment in the corner. I snatched up a couple of windows, filled my arms with yards of sheer fabrics and went to work. (I chose sheer fabrics for this project because they maintained the translucent quality of the window; that way, if you want to hang them in front of another window you'll still have the see-through factor.)
To start things off, I first gave my old windows a sponge bath, reglazed them as needed and sketched out a modest flower design. Quilt blocks are a great source of inspiration on designs for this project, as well. I transferred my flower design to a piece of cardboard for pattern pieces and cut out my airy threads.
Once I had everything cut out, I laid all the pieces out on my window. I worked on the backside of the window, so everything needed to be placed right side down, to be seen from the front. I sprayed each piece with spray adhesive and carefully positioned it on the window.
I left my first few pieces alone and didn't do any further embellishing. But if you wish, you could take this a few steps further and add paint or layer the translucent sheers for a collage effect. Very simple, and the finished result would be absolutely beautiful!
That's one idea for you to try, and, fortunately for you, I also am someone who can't leave well enough alone, so one crazy idea usually leads to another. Why not try and arrange the fabrics in a stained-glass fashion? For this spin, take old windows (or pieces of clear glass from picture frames) and slip a stained-glass pattern underneath. Taped the pattern in place so it won't slip around while you work, and then take a roll of silver pinstriping tape (found at most auto-parts stores) and follow around the stained-glass pattern. Press your tape down firmly as you go. Cut at the various joints with a craft knife and then start again.
Keep in mind that the side you're placing the tape on is the backside of the glass; the sticky side will be seen from the front.
Once your "lead lines" are all taped off, remove the pattern and place over your various scraps of fabric (fabric should be wrong side up). Slip a sheet of dressmakers transfer paper between the pattern and your fabric, and use a tracing wheel to outline the various pieces. Cut out and spray into place as you go.
It's an eclectic approach; no glass to cut and no joints to solder. Yet it is absolutely, positively fabulous.
(Michele Beschen is creator of the B Original series for the DIY Network. Contact her at www.couragetocreate.com. Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service.)
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