Preparing to Quilt

I took apart my niece's wall hanging and sewed it together straight (or at least straighter!). Then I placed it on some thin cotton quilt batting with at least 3"-4" of batting extending beyond the edge of the quilt top.



Then I cut the batting so that there is a even 3"-4" border of the batting around the quilt top.



Next I placed it on the fabric I want to use for my backing with the backing fabric extending at least an inch beyond the edge of the batting. The backing fabric is face up. I like to select the same fabric for the backing and the stripping.



Then I baste the three layers of the quilt top, batting, and backing fabric, together using contrasting thread. I baste it to stabilize it for quilting.


Here is a closer view of the basting stitches...



...and the back of the "quilt sandwich".

Crooked!

I finished all four blocks for my niece's quilted wall hanging. So, I sewed the stripping on using my machine. Unfortunately it turned out a bit crooked, so I'll need to take it apart to get it straight. Even though it is crooked now, I still think it turned out cute.

Prepping for Applique

In order to stiffen the fabric to applique it, I ironed freezer paper with the waxed side down on to the outer edges of the fabric pieces.

Here are the applique pieces for Grandmother's Fan.

It will look something like this when finished with the addition of some lace at the edge of the fan.

Here are the applique pieces for Dresden Plate.

It will look something like this when finished.

Dresden Plate

I haven't finished the Grandmother's Fan block yet because I need to get some freezer paper to stiffen the fan to applique it, so I have moved on to the next and final block. The next block for my niece's wall hanging is Dresden Plate. It is also an applique block and the background and center will also be the Pooh fabric.

Starting Grandmother's Fan

I started the block "Grandmother's fan" tonight for my niece's quilted wall hanging. It is an applique block and the background fabric will be Pooh.

Mexican Star Completed

I have been working on the Mexican Star block for my niece the past several days and taking pictures of the various stages.

Completed Mexican Star block