It's no secret that I prefer simple patterns that allow the fabric to do the heavy work. When I am bored or need some mindless sewing, I pull together a rail fence quilt or even a simple 4 patch. This time I thought I would begin one I have not done.....ever. I started collecting ideas and tutorials for an orange peel quilt......often called a pumpkin seed quilt. And there are a lot of them out there. Big, small, and in-between.....pick your size.
I decided to do a test version and be sure I liked the size and the technique I chose.
Size....this block is made of 4 units each 4" square. The appliqued orange peel is just under 2" wide.
Technique......I did not want to do Heat and Bond fusible on this one because of the stiffness of the fusible. So I tried the applique method using fusible interfacing. More on that later.
What I determined: While I like the technique---I have used it before---I did not like it for this size of applique. This size of orange peel is a little tedious to work with for me and my stiff fingers. So for a quilt of many pieces, I was going to try it a little bigger one.
The stitching was also tested. I picked the buttonhole stitch on my Janome and played with the width and length of the stitch to find one that took a large enough bite of the applique without being too big. I shortened the length some also so it was easy to work around the ends.
I went searching for a larger pattern for the orange peel.....and chose the middle one from Sewcanshe. Nice and fat ones....easier on my fingers, too. The block size only went up 1/2'' to 4 1/2''. I have been cutting fabric over a few days to get a jump on these.
There is also a good tutorial on using the fusible interfacing technique there. Mine in a condensed version......draw pattern for stitching onto the interfacing smooth side.
Place "bumpy" side of interfacing face down onto the right side of fabric. Stitch.
Slit the interfacing enough on the back to turn right side out. Finger press and work out the tips before pressing onto the background fabric. Fuse to fabric and sew.
I only need to make about 160 of these....lol. Since I have at least that many floral fabrics in my stash, it won't be a problem. Then I can have a design wall party and see what happens then!
Happy stitching.
I decided to do a test version and be sure I liked the size and the technique I chose.
Size....this block is made of 4 units each 4" square. The appliqued orange peel is just under 2" wide.
Technique......I did not want to do Heat and Bond fusible on this one because of the stiffness of the fusible. So I tried the applique method using fusible interfacing. More on that later.
What I determined: While I like the technique---I have used it before---I did not like it for this size of applique. This size of orange peel is a little tedious to work with for me and my stiff fingers. So for a quilt of many pieces, I was going to try it a little bigger one.
The stitching was also tested. I picked the buttonhole stitch on my Janome and played with the width and length of the stitch to find one that took a large enough bite of the applique without being too big. I shortened the length some also so it was easy to work around the ends.
I went searching for a larger pattern for the orange peel.....and chose the middle one from Sewcanshe. Nice and fat ones....easier on my fingers, too. The block size only went up 1/2'' to 4 1/2''. I have been cutting fabric over a few days to get a jump on these.
There is also a good tutorial on using the fusible interfacing technique there. Mine in a condensed version......draw pattern for stitching onto the interfacing smooth side.
Place "bumpy" side of interfacing face down onto the right side of fabric. Stitch.
Slit the interfacing enough on the back to turn right side out. Finger press and work out the tips before pressing onto the background fabric. Fuse to fabric and sew.
I only need to make about 160 of these....lol. Since I have at least that many floral fabrics in my stash, it won't be a problem. Then I can have a design wall party and see what happens then!
Happy stitching.
6 comments:
Good morning Debbie...I have been wanting to make one of these quilts for a long time now, but have never found the time. About this time of the year, I am knee deep in making Christmas gifts for our ever growing family. So I was happy to see that you are going to make one and will work out all the kinks before I have time to start on one. I think that this might be a good time to put this GO cutter die on my Amazon wish list, which I began last year so our family could could reference it and have ideas for gifts I could use. It definitely worked last year, when several of them got together and purchased the GO cutter for me, and it has definitely helped with the arthritis problem. I will look forward to seeing your progress on this project. Enjoy your day. lv2bquilting2@comcast.net
This will be a fun quilt in your collection of floral fabrics.
Looks like a really slick method for preparing the applique, too!
Your orange peel block looks lovely and thanks for the information on the fusible interfacing method, I must try that as I have a pattern on my wish list and I could probably use this method.
I have wanted to try the fusible interfacing method. Do you cut out behind the appliqué once it is sewn down?
A friend of mine is using this technique and having great results. It will be fun to see your's.
You could always just sew the curves, don't yell at me, LOL. I just read a very interesting post on QuiltShopGal, about electric cutters that can cut any size or shape you need by using a PDF drawing, I had no idea something like that existed. The initial investment may be a higher, but no dies and you could fill a sheet with the shape you want. Something to think about.
http://quiltshopgal.com/tutorial-cutting-applique-shapes-with-modern-tools-and-software/
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