The QM Scrap Squad is a select group of seven QM readers. They take one pattern from each regular issue of Quiltmaker and make their own scrappy versions to inspire you.
The Scrap Squad project from the July/August issue of Quiltmaker is Old Glory, designed and made by Margie Ullery of Ribbon Candy Quilt Company.
Old Glory, Quiltmaker July/August '12. Designed and made by Margie Ullery.
Today’s featured quilt is by Jackie Hughes from Spirit Lake, Idaho. You’ll find Jackie’s blog (and a great frog quilt) at Mrs. Sew and Sew’s Quilting Blog.
Jackie Hughes from Spirit Lake, Idaho
You’ll hear from Jackie in her own words below.
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I really liked this quilt when I saw it—such a quick and easy pattern with great results.
I chose an ocean theme and QM Graphic Designer Denise Starck drew up some wonderful fish for me. Get the free fish applique patterns.
I started by pulling some blues that looked promising for an ocean feel.
I cut a couple of strips from each fabric, allowing for some extras. I arranged them on my design wall going from light to dark. A few seemed not to blend well, so out they came. I moved strips around until I was pleased with the flow of fabrics.
I sewed my strips together in sections and then joined each section.
The backs of two fish appliques before they were fused to the quilt. You can see that the center portion of the fusible was cut away before it was ironed to the wrong side of the fabric. Then the fish were cut out.
I was anxious to get started on my fish. When I use fusible for machine applique, I always cut out the center of my fusible, leaving a 1/4″ frame around the edge. This keeps the applique from feeling stiff on the finished quilt.
Next I auditioned for my border fabrics. Can you believe I loved the first ones I tried? I usually have to audition several to get it right!
The borders were great, but those black palm trees and plants on one of my strips kept bothering me. I wondered if I could cover them all with fish.
I covered the offending spots with fish and then pinned up two tape measures to help me determine where to place more fish to make it look balanced.
Now that I had everything pinned in place, how would I take it down from the design wall and iron all the fish on without shifting anything? I decided to press each fish lightly right there on the design wall, just enough to ‘stick’ each one.
Be sure you dump the water out of your iron before you do this—I learned the hard way! After that I took the whole top to my ironing board to press each one a little better.
And what about those squares in the border in the original quilt? They just didn’t fit with the theme of my quilt, so I changed them to circles—for instant bubbles!
I quilted a design to give movement to the water.
This was a fun quilt to make and it has LOTS of possibilities when you start to think of all the shapes you could use. I already have ideas for others!
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QM loves Jackie’s trick with two tape measures! Brilliant!
Remember to check out all of the free applique patterns for the Scrap Squad variations of Old Glory. More versions coming in the days ahead!