With spare time on my hands, I was looking through my box of 5" blocks (cut from left over scraps) and came across three pretty butterflies. They have hovered in my stash for years, literally years! I kept pushing them aside not wanting to do anything with them and certainly not wanting to through them away! Heaven forbid!
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| 12" Spewing Butterflies |
Once I decided the layout, I fused the butterflies to the background fabric. I used Pellon Wonder Under (#805R) because that's what I had on hand. Everything in this pillow is something I had on hand, no special treatment just because it was for my daughter! With the butterflies fused to the fabric, it was ready to quilt.
I think the stitch I used around the edges is called a blanket stitch, its one I use nearly every time I do applique, which isn't very often.
Now you see why I call this pillow 'Spewing Butterflies'! The lines coming from the butterflies represent antennas, lots of antennas!
The rest of the pillow, I free motion quilted wild loops. What do you call that?! Loopy loops? Meandering loops? Let's just say it was a good try and move on!
After I wash and dry, all was good again! I was shocked that there wasn't even the slightest fraying around the butterflies. Is it the Pellon?
The back is 'Wanderer' by April Rhodes. One of the many fat quarters I had left over from the Birthday Quilt. I went with an envelope closure because with a fat quarter that was the best I could do!
The good news, she loved her pillow and it sits upon her bed on top of her quilt! I really spoil that girl! The truth is, this is really super 'cutsie'! Which I'm not known for! Fun and fast was just what I needed at the moment!
I have one more surprise for her...see...spoiled! It's my first hand quilting project which I'm still working on, but I'm super excited about it! Here's a sneak peek!
Do you applique? What do you use when doing applique for the fusing part?
LINKING:
I am in love with Lara @BuzzinBumble's new Crafted Applique method for applique. I think it is awesome how well the butterflies washed up for you here! :) I hope your daughter feels as loved as I know all these projects mean.
ReplyDeleteI need to get Lara's book if I plan on doing more appliqué! I was surprised there wasn't any fray on the edges, not usually the case. And I know Britt loves and appreciates all her surprises…she is really, really spoiled!
DeleteCutsie or not, I love this pillow and I'm adding it to my list to make! Thanks! I will be trying Lara's technique too for the applique!
ReplyDeleteLara's technique seems to be very popular and well received. I don't do much appliqué, but I do want to get her book! Those three butterflies have haunted me for years, the timing was just right to finally use them!
DeleteLucky daughter! All the details, the applique, the quilting, the great fabric on the back just come together to make a GREAT gift! I really like this.
ReplyDeleteIt was one of those moments when everything aligned just right! My daughter is happy with it and this is all that matters!!
DeleteIt's a lovely little pillow, I love how you quilted it. As far as I'm concerned daughters are for spoiling. At one point I always did needle turn appliqué but I have also done it with heat 'n' bond and either hand stitched it with buttonhole stitch (blanket stitch, same thing) or machine buttonhole. I do have Lara's book which is lovely, but I haven't got around to using the method yet, I will before long though with Christmas on the not too distant horizon. :)
ReplyDeleteI love this! So cute! I spray baste usually.
ReplyDeleteSuch a cute pillow! I've used a bunch of different methods for attaching applique...but nothing pops to mind as a favorite. Next time I will be trying Lara's method, I've heard such good things about it!
ReplyDeletefavorite is needle turn for looks, or misty fuse for fused. Your hand quilting is fun to see. I used to hand quilt all big bed quilts. LeeAnna
ReplyDeleteThat looks wonderful. Your quilting is gorgeous on it too. I use Lara's crated applique method all the time now since being a part of her blog hop introducing it.
ReplyDeleteThe pillow is BEAUTIFUL and the quilting is perfect. The loops give a great movement like the little butterflies are fluttering around. I even love the little star shape in the center. I'm sure your daughter loves it.
ReplyDeleteI'm not one for cutesy either, but I love these butterflies. Especially after they were all washed up and crinkly!
ReplyDeleteI either needle turn or I now use Lara's crafted method. Love those butterflies. Not your normal style but oh so cute!
ReplyDeleteThe pillowcase tuned out lovely Jayne =) I do applique on occasion but I do not fuse. I wrap my fabric around a template so it fits snuggly around the edges and use basting stitches to keep the thing together. Then I iron the template to get crisp edges, remove the basting stitches, take out the template and pin the pice in place on my background. Finally, I top stitch the applique form down.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing this method! I totally forgot about this one and have tried it a few times. I makes me want to try it again!
DeleteThe butterfly pillow is adorable! I tend to use Wonder Under or Neat n Bond.
ReplyDeleteSpewing is not a pretty enough term for these butterflies Jayne, although it is funny and made me laugh. They look great - the colors and the stitching and your quilting all. What a lovely surprise for your daughter.
ReplyDeleteYes I do applique... :)
It's a mixture of the pellon and the blanket stitch which keeps the edges near. It's lovely!
ReplyDeleteThe butterflies are beautiful. A lovely pillow.
ReplyDeleteI know I already commented, but thanks for linking up with TGIFF @ A Quarter Inch from the Edge!
ReplyDelete