Last week I shared a baby quilt that I have recently finished – one of the requests for this quilt was that the baby’s name was included on the quilt. Rather than using applique I opted to try my hand at quilting his name once the quilt top was finished. After my quilted handwriting attempt here I started to think up ways I could transpose nice bubble text onto the quilt top.
Many would straight away get out the fabric pens and mark the top with the text or the design – I’ve heard of too many quilt disasters {and had one myself} to start marking the top with pens that {a} I could see and {b} would come out when washed/erased etc. I aim to try a couple more brands of markers but wasn’t going to try my hand on a commission or gift quilt!
Like I said last week this probably isn’t rocket science stuff but it worked and I’m loving the effect that it gives.
materials:
– a basted quilt top
– baking paper
– print-out of your text
– pencil
– extra pins
preparing:
– start by printing out the text you wish to add to the quilt – I just selected the font, clicked advanced options and took out the font fill only leaving an outline {you could pick whatever font you wish in whatever size – as long as you can see the outline through baking/tracing paper}
– trace the outline onto your baking paper
– secure to the desired position on your quilt top with extra pins {in this case I went top right of the quilt}
stitching:
– start by stitching on your outline – the quilt and the paper might slip a bit – take your time and secure with more pins if needed {the ‘e’ took me a lot longer than each of the other letters – had to get into a groove!}
{you will need more pins than photographed… just saying!… I was being naiive}
– carefully remove the baking paper by tearing along the stitch lines {just like perforated paper}
– Bury knots
– To make the text stand out on this quilt I outlined it several times, this time completely free motion and using my previous stitching as a guide. I also outlined the text in another thread colour which just gives that extra bit of focus in such a busy quilt.
– Continue quilting the top as desired. This quilt top used a meandering star pattern which I picked up from Playful Piecing Craftsy class with Camille Roskelley {note: affiliate link included}.
There! You’re finished! Hope you enjoyed this mini tutorial!?
Would love to know what fabric markers you all swear by – maybe the ones you also wouldn’t recommend!?
Keera
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