Art Quilts

Skill Level: Beginner

Banner Image

In this tutorial we will learn how to design our own art quilt using fabric scraps. Full size hand-stitched appliqué quilts can be a little intimidating and time consuming. This art quilt project introduces a simple appliqué technique using fusible interfacing and hand- stitching. This method is similar to needle turn appliqué, but it uses fusible interfacing. The fusible interfacing ensures a neat result since the sewer can feel and see the seam allowance when they are hand stitching.


Supplies


Plan your design & cut out febric

1. Start by sketching your design. Your design should be large and made of simple shapes since you will be cutting these out of fabric.

sketch your design

2. I decided on a quilt with four squares each 3”x3”.

  • Draw 4 squares that are 3”x3” on paper.
  • Sketch your design to scale within each 3”x3” square.

sketch your design to scale within each 3”x3” square

3. Trace your pattern onto fabric and cut-out. Repeat so you have two heart-shaped pieces of fabric.

Trace your pattern onto fabric and cut-out

4. Trace design onto fusible interfacing and cut out.

Trace design onto fusible interfacing
cut out the design

5. Iron fusible interfacing onto fabric scrap

Iron fusible interfacing onto fabric scrap

6. Cut your design from fabric leaving ⅛” seam allowance. Cut snips into fabric at corners and points.

7. Fold over the seam allowances and press with an iron or crease with your finger.

Fold over the seam allowances and press with an iron

How to applique.

8. Once you have decided on the location of your fabric appliqué on your quilt square, sew into place using a running stitch with Coats & Clark Aqua Dissolve.

decide the place of the applique and sew it

9. Using Coats & Clark All Purpose Sewing Thread, make small stitches around the perimeter of your fabric shape. Fold under the seam allowance as you go. You want these stitches to be as small and neat as possible. Take your time and enjoy the process.

make small stitches around the perimeter of your fabric shape

10. Highlight aspects of your design by adding running stitches using Coats & Clark All Purpose Sewing Thread or Coats and Clark Embroidery Floss.

Highlight aspects of your design

Highlight aspects of your design
Highlight aspects of your design.
Highlight aspects of your design

11. Using a sewing machine, or by hand, sew quilt squares together. Start by sewing two top pieces together and then two bottom pieces. Then sew the top and bottom portions together.

12. To dissolve Coats & Clark Aqua Dissolvable Thread, soak your piece in water and lay flat to dry.

This small format quilt is a wonderful way to learn appliqué quilting and create a fun piece of personal art in the process

Author, Amber Groen

Amber Groen is a fashion designer located in Toronto, Canada. She loves to knit and mend clothing. She is a graduate of Parsons School of Design.