
How time flies! A few weeks ago, I started on a new quilt. I am using a technique that I haven’t used before, but that many people have used for years…FUSING. I had a design in my head and I knew that I would not be able to piece it easily. The more I thought about it, the more complex the piece became and I knew the only way to put it together was to fuse it. BUT, how would the fusible work with my heavily painted fabric? I found it easy to adhere it to the back of the fabric, but fusing it to a substrate was more difficult. The steam needed to work with the particular product I selected would not penetrate through the acrylic surface. The pieces adhered in places, but not completely. I decided to leave the larger pieces in this “semi-fused” state, but fused the smaller pieces from the back of the quilt top so that they would adhere well. I intended to quilt the piece very heavily, so every inch would be sewn on well…as it turns out, quilted about every 1/4 inch or less. The photo about shows a small section of the piece as it sits on the quilting frame today, about 2/3 quilted. I included my embroidery scissors in the shot for scale…they are 3 1/2 inches long…I just measured…about 2 1/2 inches visible.
Some parts of the quilt had a few pieces of fabric layered and fused together…would I be able to quilt through it all???? That worried me, especially after painting, fusing, cutting, designing and fusing again….BUT
The quilting has gone smoothly. Even through a few layers of painted fabric and the fusible, the needle has done its job. The thread has only snapped a few times, sometimes my fault for reversing direction too quickly.
I am anxious to finish. I was side tracked by many meetings and making a few small donation quilts. I think my obligations are up to date, so it will be full speed ahead. Can’t wait to see it complete…from the studio
Glad to see it’s coming together well. Can’t wait to see the finished piece
Thanks, Sonnie. I suppose all the procrastination about starting the quilting was unfounded…oh well, live and learn. Sue