DIY Network

Sketch-Inspired Sunflower Quilt Frieda Anderson creates a sunflower quilt of fused fabrics. From "Uncommon Threads" episode DUCT-113

This Uncommon Threads episode will try a little experiment: We gave the same inspiration theme, sunflowers, to three quilt artists from the Chicago School of Fusing. They'll create their quilt designs in three very different ways.

Frieda Anderson starts off with a sketch. She'll show how she goes from that sketch to the finished quilt using fusible webbing. In addition, she has a clever use for the release paper that comes with the fusible web.

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Sketch-Inspired Sunflower Quilt

The quilt (measuring about 15"x20") is made with fused fabrics that are then cut out. The original design is taken from a sketch that is made into a pattern to construct the quilt. Fused fabrics are traced and reassembled onto batting.

Materials:

clear acetate
overhead projector
newsprint
extra-fine Sharpie marker
3/4 yd. assorted color fabrics for flowers (if using commercial fabrics, be sure they are washed and dried)
1/2 yd. light- or medium-value blue background fabric
16"x21" backing fabric
8"x18" binding fabric
3 yds. fusible web
16"x21" batting
release paper (the paper that comes with the fusible web; save and keep in one piece)
decorative rotary cutter blade in shapes like wave, deckle, scallop or pinking
good iron that gets really hot

Preparation

1. Fuse all the fabrics (except the backing fabric) by following the instructions that come with the fusible web.
2. After the fabric cools, remove the release paper from all the fabrics. Save the sheet of release paper from the background fabric in one piece. The design elements are transferred from the pattern to the fused fabric using the release paper.

Construction

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E

1. Trace over the original sketch with an extra-fine marker (figure A).

2. Place sketch on light box or window, tape in place. Tape clear acetate over this (figure B).

3. Using black marker, trace design onto acetate.

4. Place acetate onto overhead projector.

5. Tape newsprint on a blank wall that the projector is shining onto.

6. Adjust image to the size you want.

7. Trace out the design with the marker (figure C).

8. Fuse fabric following the manufacturer's directions.

9. After the fabric cools, remove the release paper and place it on a cutting mat fused side up.

10. To begin transferring design elements to fused fabric, place a piece of release paper over the large drawn pattern and with the marker trace over a design element (figure D).

11. Place the traced design element marker side down against the correct color fused fabric, fused side and press lightly with a hot dry iron.

12. The design element will be transferred to the back of the fused fabric. Remove the release paper and cut out the design element with very sharp embroidery scissors.

13. Repeat this process until the whole design has been cut out (figure E).

RESOURCES :

Stripy hand-dyed cotton fabric
Website: www.friestyle.com

GUESTS :

Frieda Anderson
Website: www.friestyle.com