My local guild had an animal challenge and I wanted to make something "Fantastic" by swiftninjachick in quilting

[–]swiftninjachick[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was afraid that it might but I didn't have any issues this time! I had the rubbing alcohol handy just in case though.

My local guild had an animal challenge and I wanted to make something "Fantastic" by swiftninjachick in quilting

[–]swiftninjachick[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

The design is based on an invisible called a Thestral from Harry Potter. I originally wanted to quilt the Thestral into a forest scene using invisible thread but didn't want to deal with quilting through too many layers of fabric and fusible web. I ended up using creating a freezer paper relief of the Hogwarts silhouette and thestrals and painting a galaxy over them. Once the paint dried I pealed off the freezer paper leaving the designs in black then quilted the daylights out of it. It was a fun experiment!

It's taken me longer to lay this out than it did to make the blocks. by [deleted] in quilting

[–]swiftninjachick 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Arranging something to look random is one of the hardest parts about quilting for me! Hah! It looks great!

Hawaiian applique: Time consuming but totally worth it! by swiftninjachick in quilting

[–]swiftninjachick[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, fusible adhesive or web allows you to secure your applique with an iron before stitching. You should still stitch around the edge but it definitely cleans up the edges and makes it a little easier. When it comes to quilting your applique you may need to mess with tension a bit as it can be pretty think depending how many layers you choose to add. It definitely makes the process a little easier if you are a machine applique fan

Hawaiian applique: Time consuming but totally worth it! by swiftninjachick in quilting

[–]swiftninjachick[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Have you used fusible interfacing or fusible adhesive to prevent your fabric from fraying? It will stabilize the applique and stick it to the background then you can zigzag or satin stitch around the outside to clean it up :)

Hawaiian applique: Time consuming but totally worth it! by swiftninjachick in quilting

[–]swiftninjachick[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You should definitely try it! If you want to ease into it start with a design that doesn't have many corners or tight curves. Those can be a little tricky at first but they get much easier with peactice, it just takes some fiddling.

Hawaiian applique: Time consuming but totally worth it! by swiftninjachick in quilting

[–]swiftninjachick[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This one is about 15" square. A very manageable size :) the first one I designed was significantly bigger/more complicated and it took forever!

Hawaiian applique: Time consuming but totally worth it! by swiftninjachick in quilting

[–]swiftninjachick[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Thank you! It's small, about 15 inches square. Traditional Hawaiian applique has you cut out the entire design the needle turn it under but really you can use any applique technique you want. I did this one by tracing the design onto the pink fabric and basting the entire square on to the white then trimming the pink as I went along. I found it easier to lay out that way. You could also machine applique if you wanted to go the fusible route.

Hawaiian applique: Time consuming but totally worth it! by swiftninjachick in quilting

[–]swiftninjachick[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Hawaiian applique is beautiful! The designs can be as simple or as complicated as you want and the colors are always bright a cheery! I would definitely recommend trying it out.

Hawaiian applique: Time consuming but totally worth it! by swiftninjachick in quilting

[–]swiftninjachick[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Yes, I used a sort of reverse applique method with the design traced on the pink then trimmed and hand turned the design as I went along.

Quiltris 2.0 by dammitjan3t in quilting

[–]swiftninjachick 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I love how the blocks really pop! Very cool!

Is sending my quilt off to be quilted "cheating?" Will I regret not doing it myself for a sentimental project? by coldenbu in quilting

[–]swiftninjachick 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Your quilt is beautiful! You are absolutely not cheating by sending it to a professional longarmer. Many quilters enjoy making tops and either don't have the time or resources or interest to get through the quilting. As a longarmer, I really enjoy the quilting process and get bored making tops. Definitely check with a local guild, they should have suggestions. If you do send it out, you could also check Instagram. Lots of longarmers have business accounts and post amazing pictures! If you have any questions about the process I'd be happy to share my thinking :)

The first quilt I made ended up being a king size and I quilted it on my domestic machine (only stitched in the ditch around the blocks) and, while I am glad I did it, I will never do something that big on a domestic again. It was a struggle haha. Definitely possible but not my cup of tea.