When we were in Seattle in July (gee, that was only LAST month???), I ran across some Whims patterns. They are watercolor-type quilt patterns. I did a couple of them several years ago, and then they kind of disappeared from the local quilt shops around here. I would see them in a catalog once in a while, but figured they were a once-hot item that had passed on. ANYWAY, I thought this heart kit would make a perfect thank-you gift for someone special (whom I already have in mind), and I started on it yesterday. Because there are a number of new quilters out there that maybe haven’t seen this type of pattern before (actually, it’s a kit), I thought I would share some photos as I work on this little wall hanging. Included in the kit came stacks of pre-cut 2″ floral squares, which you sort by value, lightest to darkest. (The few leftovers are shown below.) This particular kit also came with some yardage, from which I will cut individual flowers. I will arrange these flowers, hopefully somewhat similarly to the heart that appears on the package.
But back to the beginning. You start by arranging the individual blocks on a light-weight fusible product that has a grid printed on it (purchased separately). The directions contain a drawing of the grid pattern, showing where to place the dark fabric, the medium-darks, the medium fabric, and so on. It is sort of like doing a paint-by-number painting in fabric squares.
The final effect is a color wash, or a watercolor, effect. The photo above shows my fabrics placed on the fusible grid, which has been pressed so the squares are staying “put” (remember, it’s a fusible base). The next step is you fold right sides together on the grid lines and stitch your seams. You can see I have started this on the right-hand side. Once all the up-and-down seams are stitched, I will press them well to one side, then stitch the side-to-side seams. THEN I will get to build the heart from the fussy-cut flowers.
I’m sure this is all as clear as mud, but I’m having so much fun doing this little project, I thought I would share. Hopefully, I’ll get a finished photo posted soon.
Sue
ps: If this look intrigues you, there are many watercolor quilt books out there where you can build your quilt from “scratch”.
Judy Laquidara has done it again — come up with a quilt project that’s too tempting to not join in! I thought I would do a block, just to see how it’s going to come out…and what fun!!! This is a perfect no-points, no-matching, no-brainer project. Besides burgandy reds to almost rose, my other colors are sage-y greens, golds, and grays. The grays are the only ones I purchased (3 FQs). Everything else is from stash. This should be a fun, quick quilt — just the things for a holiday weekend. And it has some of my favorite colors in it.
