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”.