I thought I'd quickly share how I prepare a 4 block, 18" X 18" crazy quilt project for a rough and tumble life being folded and unfolded, pulled in and out of a backpack, balanced on the fold down tray tables of airplanes, whisked aside in hotel rooms etc.
It boils down to two things: interfacing and finishing those edges.
Immediately after trimming my blocks to square I sewed them together. Then I pressed open the seams and interfaced the back. Sometimes I interface the blocks individually first instead; sometimes I even interface the muslin before piecing. But this time I wanted those seam allowances nailed down, so to speak.
The only downside is the seam allowances make a little indentation as seen from the front...but that will loosen up as the block is worked, so I am not worried about it.
After the interfacing went on, I ran an overcast stitch with my machine around the perimeter of the piece.
Here is the whole thing:
This is a class sample for my Pretty Crazy class I'll be teaching in Columbia, MO this coming October. It is based on my pattern that you can buy here. (It is in the top row, second from the left.)
As I'll be teaching Essential Embroidery for Crazy Quilts also, I'll be adding that to this piece during my upcoming travels. That will be very fun and I am looking forward to it.
I'll show you how it looks when I get back... ;-)
5 comments :
It is already so beautiful--and to think it's just the background where you will work your magic with stitches. Fun times ahead!
I miss having a portable hand sewing project -- thanks for posting this. Question: Doesn't the interfacing make the blocks stiff and difficult to pierce with a hand sewing needle for embroidery? What kind of interfacing are you using?
To answer Rebecca....It doesn't make it stiff at all...I use fusible knit interfacing which is light and flexible. JoAnn's should have it.
I buy the cheapest brand too, nothing fancy required. You can't even feel it with the needle, but it makes a very nice stabilized surface...esp if you don't like using a hoop, which I don't!
I am surprised that it is ok to carry needles and thread cutters on airplanes. Are there specifications?
Where in Columbia, MO are you going? Jane in MO
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