Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Kids' Quilts Blog Hop: Day 2

Welcome back for Day 2 of our Kids' Quilts Blog Hop! Today Nikki from The Girl Who Quilts is here, sharing a tutorial that transforms a simple patchwork square design into something special with a little dimensional applique. Nikki used the English Rosey by Maria Kalinowski for Kanvas to make this quilt. 
Check out her technique in the tutorial, and then don't miss the spotlight on a charity accepting kids' quilts at the end, as well as a chance to win a bundle of English Rosey prints for yourself!



Hi! I'm Nikki, and I blog over at The Girl Who Quilts. I'm so excited to share a quilt tutorial today. I love to make charity quilts, so that makes this project especially fun for me!



Here are the great fabrics which Benartex provided me for this event. The collection is called English Rosey, and it's a great combination of different prints.


These are the prints that I chose to use in my quilt:


Here's what you will need to create this quilt:
4 - 5/8 yard cuts of coordinating fabric
1/2 to 1 yard of large scale print (I used a floral)
1/2 yard binding fabric
3 yards backing fabric
55" x 65" batting
Large batting scraps
Marking pen or pencil suitable to use on batting

Optional: Basting spray or glue stick to temporary hold the applique pieces



To begin, I cut 8 squares measuring 10" x 10" from each of the 4 coordinating prints.


Next I cut out 8 large floral motifs from my large scale prints. I left about a 1/4" edge around the floral motifs because I wanted the background fabric color in the floral print to frame the prints.



I am going to raw edge applique the floral pieces to one of my coordinating prints. To give them some dimension, I want to back them with batting. To cut the batting, lay each of the 8 floral motifs on the batting scraps and trace around the motifs one at a time.

I like to use a marker to trace on batting. This marker erases with ironing, but if you're using a marking pen that doesn't erase just be careful not to draw on the edges of the applique pieces.


Here you can see how I drew around my floral motifs:


All traced!


Now cut the batting *inside* the drawn line by 1/4" all the way around.


If you lay the batting over the wrong side of the applique piece, the applique piece should show around the edges by about 1/4", as shown here.




At this point, you can applique your floral pieces, or wait to do that during the quilting. To applique the floral pieces now:

Lay the floral motif on one of the 10" x 10" squares, layering the cut batting between the block and the floral motif, and stitch around about a 1/4" inside the cut edge. Feel free to use a walking foot or a free motion foot to do this step. (There are pictures of this below.)


Once the piece is sewn down, you can stitch around the different elements of the motif. If you'd prefer, you can save this step for when you quilt the quilt. (See photos below.)

You can now stitch your blocks together into a 5 block x 6 block layout. You will have 2 - 10" x 10" squares left.

If you'd rather applique the pieces during the quilting process, follow the instructions below:

I chose to wait to applique my floral pieces.

First, I stitched together my blocks in a 5 block x 6 block layout.

Next I pieced my backing and basted my top, backing, and batting.

Beginning in one corner of the quilt, I started to quilt an all-over loop design.


When I approached a square where I wanted to applique a floral piece, I placed the batting and fabric in place* and quilted my way to the edge of the applique. Rather than cut my threads, I sewed from the edge of the applique up to the edge of the floral design. Can you see the stitch line to the right of my quilting foot in this photo? That is how I transitioned from the background loop quilting to stitching down the applique!



*If you're worried about the applique shifting, try basting spray or a bit of glue stick to hold the piece in place.

Next I quilted around the entire piece, approximately 1/4" from the cut edge, holding it in place as I sewed around. No need to stitch perfectly along the print!


After quilting around the piece I outlined the individual flowers and leaves, plus added some quilting details. The double layer of batting really makes the quilting pop!




Continue to applique the pieces and quilt the rest of the quilt.

If you appliqued the pieces onto the individual blocks above, you can now baste and quilt your quilt as desired. Adding quilting details to the appliqued pieces really makes them pop!



Now bind your quilt with your favorite method!



Before washing the quilt check the applique pieces for excess batting, as shown here:



If there are large pieces of batting like this, trim a bit of it away. Be careful not to cut through the applique or quilt, though! It's better to leave the excess batting than risk cutting too close. This is as close as I would try to trim:


Now wash and dry your quilt!


 The applique edges should be soft and fluffy! Feel free to trim away any long threads. I also ironed the applique pieces to flatten the edges for this photo:



I hope you enjoyed this tutorial! I'm excited to send this quilt off to Benartex for donation to Quilts for Kids!



Thanks, Nikki! 


Meet a Charity:
Quilts for Kids


Inspired by discontinued fabric samples that were being thrown away, founder Linda Ayre began Quilts for Kids to use those samples to create quilts for children in need. Fourteen years later, the organization has facilitated the donation of almost 30,000 quilts using the following mission statement: Transforming fabrics into patchwork quilts that comfort children with life-threatening illnesses and children of abuse.

How it works: Quilters can make and send in a quilt on their own or request and receive a kit to assemble a quilt, which is then returned to the Quilts for Kids headquarters to be given to a child needing comfort. The organization is always accepting donations of finished quilts, fabric, or for volunteers to "adopt" a quilt, providing financial sponsorship. Closer to home, local chapters organize quilts for local hospitals and are happy to have more volunteers. 

To find out more about how you can get involved, visit the Quilts for Kids website.


For a chance to win a fat quarter bundle of the English Rosey collection, simply sign up to follow this blog, either through Bloglovin' (or another blog reader service) or email (both options are in the right hand sidebar) and leave a comment letting us know you follow. In your comment, let us know what you're most looking forward to about spring. Leave a second comment and receive a second entry by following us on Facebook and letting us know. This giveaway is open through Sunday, March 2 at 11:59 PM EST. 


Make sure you check out all the tutorials from the Kids' Quilts Blog Hop:

Day 1: by the Benartex Blog Team, featuring Monkeying AroundDay 3: by Emily from Mommy's Nap Time, featuring Doodle Dog
Day 4: by Sarah from Confessions of a Fabric Addict, featuring Yard Dog
Love It? Share It! Facebook Twitter Google Pinterest Email

103 comments:

  1. Oops I didnt' see there was a giveaway, I of course follow your blog via RSS

    ReplyDelete
  2. I follow on FB and can't wait for spring to really arrive so I can plant some herbs and have some fresh flowers popping up.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I follow via Bloglovin. Looking forward to warmer runs :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love seeing my flowers sprout in the spring after such a long long winter. I follow with bloglovin.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Of course, I also follow along with FB.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I follow via GFC. I am looking forward to blooming flowers. And not shoveling snow!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I follow you on Bloglovin, and love your ideas! Those roses reminds me spring is on the way, and I will have my own blooming soon!

    ReplyDelete
  8. i am most looking to the spring flowers. i follow on bloglovin'

    ReplyDelete
  9. I follow this blog via bloglovin and email. What am I looking forward to for Spring? A little warmth!!! This has been one cold winter!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I also like/follow your facebook page

    ReplyDelete
  11. I am a follower through bloglovin'. I am looking forward to spend time in our garden.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I already follow, thru Bloglovin & Email! :)

    Lookin for Spring most, for warm sunshine,& flowers peeping, and opening windows!!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I follow by email.

    Looking forward to spring to put an end to the very cold and very long winter. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Beautiful dimensional quilting - love this idea!!! I am most looking forward to an end to this freezing cold winter... tomorrow it is supposed to be -47 degrees
    C, that is with the windchill factor!!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I follow your blog via Bloglovin' and also FB!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Great idea for sprucing up a plain block quilt. My daffodils are blooming. Spring is almost here!

    I follow by email.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I follow this blog via e-mail. The thing I look forward to most this spring is the profusion of yellow flowers in our yard. I love the color yellow as it makes even a gloomy, rainy spring day more cheerful.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Great tutorial thanks!
    I follow by email!
    I love Spring - I can't wait for some blue skies and sunshine!

    ReplyDelete
  19. I follow using Bloglovin. Oh, and email, too. I can't wait for spring for the WARMTH! Really, really, really, really, REALLY tired of being cold!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I follow by bloglovin, Spring for me is: daffodils, tulips and a coffe in the sun ;-)
    Thanks for the chance!

    ReplyDelete
  21. I follow via GFC. I love Springtime with all the flowers in bloom, trees full of cherry blossoms. It's really pretty in my area.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I also liked you on facebook. I'm so looking forward to spring! I just love all the different shades of green!

    ReplyDelete
  23. I'm a follower though GF and Bloglovin. I'm looking forward to putting my shovel away in the garage and not lifting another snowflake for many, many months!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Very clever!! The tutorial is excellent. I follow via e-mail subscription! When spring approaches, I look forward to the birds returning!!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Great quilt!
    I follow via email
    I am looking forward to getting out in my garden.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Love the impact of those big roses on the appliquee. I follow you!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Wonderful idea - can see doing that with so many children themes. A group I am with sew quilts for a camp in Kentucky called Courageous Kids. It is so worthwhile to sew for others.

    ReplyDelete
  28. I get your newsletter through email!

    ReplyDelete
  29. I also follow on Facebook

    ReplyDelete
  30. I follow on Bloglovin. I can't wait for this cold weather to finally be done. I want flowers and vegetables growing at my house...and my strawberries too. crystalbluern at onlineok dot com

    ReplyDelete
  31. I follow through email and Bloglovin. I can't wait for daffodils and hyacinths and lilacs! A little warmer would be nice, too, so the snow melts. Still lots here.

    ReplyDelete
  32. I also follow Benartex on Facebook. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  33. I am looking forward to being warm! I follow by email

    ReplyDelete
  34. I follow by Bloglovin!

    And I look forward to see, and feel, the sun again. The winters are long in Norway....

    jachelno at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  35. I am already a Facebook "liker"

    jachelno at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  36. I follow on bloglovin and can't wait for spring. I love to watch the new plants peak through the soil.
    kdavis1@centurytel.net

    ReplyDelete
  37. I follow Benartex, Inc.on FB as Kathy Newsom Davis.
    kdavis1@centurytel.net

    ReplyDelete
  38. I am looking forward to the flowers and the smell of fresh cut grass. :)
    craftyccain@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  39. I follow you on FB.
    craftyccain@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  40. What lovely rosey fabric! Thanks for the chance to win. What I'm looking forward to about spring is weather above zero!

    ReplyDelete
  41. I follow you on Bloglovin and Facebook. Thanks again!

    ReplyDelete
  42. I am looking forward to Spring...and gardening...and colour...and flowers. I'm so sick of winter white.
    I follow you on Bloglovin.

    ReplyDelete
  43. follow and looking forward to bluebonnets

    ReplyDelete
  44. I follow by bloglovin. I'm looking forward to the tulips coming up and no more snow!

    ReplyDelete
  45. I follow via email. I am really looking forward to seeing some color in my yard this spring. yessewingisfun@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  46. I am looking forward to seeing my flowers come up and making my front yard look beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  47. I'm looking forward to the warmer weather, so I will be able to sit on my porch and do handwork. Thanks for the great tutorial.

    ReplyDelete
  48. Nice quilt, I follow you on Bloglovin

    ReplyDelete
  49. I follow on Bloglovin and facebook. What a fun hop! pbstrand@msn.com

    ReplyDelete
  50. I follow on bloglovin and email. I can't wait for SPRING so it will get warmer! I love all the new growing things and the greens smells! Thanks

    tdkcarpenoctem@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  51. I follow on Facebook! Thanks

    tdkcarpenoctem@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  52. I'm a follower with Bloglovin'. I'm looking forward to flowers & new green leaves & the end of winter. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  53. I'm a Facebook follower too. Thanks again.

    ReplyDelete
  54. I'm looking forward to daffodils, my favorite spring flower. I follow on bloglovin.

    ReplyDelete
  55. FOLLOW ON FB !

    cobaltt16@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  56. GREETINGS FROM MONTANA!
    FOLLOW ON FB !
    I'M ALWAYS EAGER TO SEE OUR 'MOUNTAIN CROCUS'!
    THANKS FOR A SWEET GIVEAWAY !

    cobaltt16@yahoo.com

    cobaltt16@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  57. I follow via email. I am looking forward to the end of winter, warmer weather, Spring flowers, and more sunshine.

    ReplyDelete
  58. Such a beautiuful flowers!!
    I follow via email.

    ReplyDelete
  59. I am looking forward to blooming flowers and the warm and sunny days!

    I'm a Facebook follower too. Thanks !

    ReplyDelete
  60. Spring to me is the fresh smells of grass , warmer air, longer days and beautiful flowers.

    ReplyDelete
  61. following Bernatex on Facebook and Sew in love on bloglovin

    ReplyDelete
  62. I follow this blog and look forward to my bulb blooms to grow this spring.

    ReplyDelete
  63. I am looking forward to warmer weather. -5 can go harass someone else!
    I follow on bloglovin (ebcallender)

    ReplyDelete
  64. I follow by email, and I'm looking forward to warm weather and daffodils and wearing something besides sweaters!!!

    ReplyDelete
  65. I follow on Bloglovin'. I love that fabric line - hadn't ever seen it! I may just have to try this applique method - it's so great for large prints like that!

    I cannot wait for my flower bulbs to bloom. I love it when they come through the snow!

    ReplyDelete
  66. I am a follower via email, am a Facebook follower, and get the preview packs. I can't wait for it to get warm enough to plant my garden.

    ReplyDelete
  67. I signed up to follow by email.

    ReplyDelete
  68. I'm looking forward to warm sunshine and flowers. I can't wait to pack away the winter coats and boots and bring out the flip flops. Thanks for the chance to play with the beautiful floral fabrics.

    ReplyDelete
  69. I follow by FB and GFC...I'm looking forward to planting my garden too.

    ReplyDelete
  70. I follow by email. What I'm looking forward to most about spring is just being able to go outside, and not worry about falling and getting hurt.

    ReplyDelete
  71. I follow you on facebook too.

    ReplyDelete
  72. What a lovely charity - thank you for the link. I love the rose fabric ! I am a new follower with Bloglovn ! I look forward this Spring to some hiking and birdwatching! thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  73. Lovely little quilt . I love the bright green of the leaves and grass in spring , not to mention no snow ! Thanks for the chance . I follow by bloglovin .

    ReplyDelete
  74. just found you. beautiful work

    ReplyDelete
  75. I follow on FB - Stitching Happily

    ReplyDelete
  76. I am so looking forward to working in my gardens after this long winter. I follow via email - laura84watt Thank you for a wonderful post.

    ReplyDelete
  77. following on Facebook, I have a new Play house for the grandkids and I want to sew items for it.

    ReplyDelete
  78. I follow via GFC. Thank you for the great tutorial on how to do large scale prints as an applique, this is something I really want to try. I can't wait for Spring to enjoy taking my daughters outside to play at the park!

    ReplyDelete
  79. I follow via bloglovin. I am so looking forward to my lilacs to start blooming, they are so beautiful. Thanks for a wonderful tutorial and giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  80. i follow via email babscorbitt@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  81. i follow on facebook babscorbitt@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  82. Hi. Great blog and amazing bedsheets.

    My cousin always Buy Kids Bed Sheet because his kids love various themes on them and they get to sleep early leading to good health.

    ReplyDelete
  83. hello!! what a gr8 blog and all bedsheets are just amazing !!1

    Best Kids Quilts in India

    ReplyDelete
  84. Nice post and I really appreciate your hard work. Blog commenting is also the best medium to share our views. Nice article you have shared.
    12x18 playhouse window

    ReplyDelete