Today's THE Day: Learn How To Stencil!

About every year or so, I get lots of queries about stenciling on fabric for quilts. I don't know what sparks this mostly mid year craving for art, but whatever the trigger is, I wholeheartedly approve!

Stenciling is a real love of mine; I love that it's actually one of the most authentic and historic quilting techniques out there.. even though most quilters think it's a modern thing and mostly ignore it. Nope, it's authentic, timeless and proof that the earliest quilters were innovative, experimental and lovers of adapting techniques. 

So, to honor the early quilters and satisfy all the queries, I've decided to make all this week all about the pleasure and technique of stenciling.  

Are you ready to try something new? 

Today I offer a perfect little taste of what it means to stencil with this simple but effective Tulip Stencil. Print out your free Tulip pattern, follow the instructions below and give stenciling a go. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. 

Let's Stencil: The Tulip

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Materials:
Cutting matt
Tracing pencil
Permanent fine marker
Craft cutting knife or scalpel
Sharp scissors
Paper towels
Stubby paint brushes for stenciling: I like using round brushes, size 8 & 10
Small containers for mixing up colours
Freezer Paper ( I use Reynolds Brand)
Acrylic or textile paints (textile medium if applicable)
Extra fabric for experimenting
Plain background to be stenciled, approx a 12 ½inch block, however the size isn't as important as this workshop is focusing on technique.
Whichever acrylic paint you choose, ensure that you use Textile Medium unless specified otherwise by the paint manufacturer. 
Textile Medium helps paint adhere to fabric—for better setting, and is always recommended.

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A stencil pattern is what you create when you cut out selected segments (holes) from a design according to a line drawing. Starting with the line drawing that you want to turn into a stencil, trace this line drawing onto freezer paper (use a light box if required)

  

Position freezer paper on cutting mat 

Then carefully cut out the design with a craft knife

It will look like this when complete

When cutting out your design, allow plenty of time. I find working with a scalpel best, however some people prefer sharp thin bladed decoupage scissors—use whatever method you are most comfortable with. You do not want to rush the cutting out as the lines will show up in your stenciling—jagged edging shows. If your work is neat, keep all the ‘cut outs’ separately for use later.

You want to keep the bottom half of the leaves for shading, so don't discard them

Iron your fabric and position your freezer paper stencil. On a mid heat, iron down the freezer paper. Do this carefully and ensure that all the lines are firmly ironed down as you do not want edges coming loose and lifting up when stenciling!

Set up your paints and pre-mix the colours you want to use. For this workshop, I used green and red and to create a darker green for shading, I simply blended the two together. Use a new brush for each color. There will be no need to rinse your brushes during stenciling.

Have plenty of paper toweling ready for blotting off excess paint from your brush. I can't stress this enough. Stenciling is not about 'painting' fabric, it is about building up layers of almost dry paint stippled into position - and these are very different things. 

Apply some paint to your blotting tissue. Now blot off any excess paint. It is important that your brush remain somewhat dry. Remember that you are building up color. When applying paint to your stencil, buff the color in with quick circular movements—with stenciling you are building up color, almost as if you were dry painting. DO NOT SATURATE THE STENCIL.

Colour is blotted into the fabric with a dry brush. This allows you to go over areas and build up stronger color where desired, creating shading effects. If you saturate your brush, or if you did not iron down completely, parts of the freezer paper will lift—and this will lead to color seeping through and smearing. THIS IS TO BE AVOIDED. As below.

When you reach an edge of color, such as red meeting green—use a plastic template as a barrier to keep colors separated. 

The stencil is now stenciled

Lift up your fabric. The painted stencil should be dry to touch and NOT leaking through the fabric. Leaking, seeping & blurriness mean too much wet paint! This image below is how your underside should look - essential dry to touch with no bleed through. 

To create 2 color shading effects on a leaf, return to your earlier cut outs and re-position half of the leaf cut out back onto the flower, as shown below. Iron down the freezer paper piece on top of the paint. Iron down both leaf pieces.

Painting the darker hue: Use the same circular dry method of stenciling. You are only covering half the painted leaf—you are covering the half you do NOT want painted a darker hue. 

Now, using a darker green, paint the top of the leaf

The freezer paper acts as a barrier to protect the color beneath

When dry, peel off the added freezer paper leaf pieces  to reveal two tones of color

Leave the stencil until dry to touch

Then carefully peel back the freezer paper stencil as seen below

Allow stencil to dry

Turn over and iron on wrong side of fabric

Turn to right side and iron over stencil to heat set

Cover ironing board with pressed cloth or paper and heat set the paint by ironing on the back of your stencil with a dry iron set on cotton. Ironing on the back of your stencil sets the paint most successfully (3 -4 minutes). I use fine paper over the stencil to protect my iron against staining when ironing the front. 

Now, what's stopping you from trying your hand at stenciling? 

The Tulip
Free Download
$0.00

Simply click on this image to download your free

The Tulip Stencil Pattern 

Instant PDF Download

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Start Stenciling Today PDF Guide

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Buy the full guide to this tutorial post 
for just $1 USD

Instant PDF download 

WOW: Where Have All The Bloggers Gone?

 WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays 

When I started blogging 10 years ago, I had no idea that I'd still be doing it today.

It takes time, effort and bother - no doubt about it.
But it also gives back so much more than it takes. 

In my life, I've created a lot of things - in many different mediums. Although I 'remember' them, theoretically speaking, I don't have a 'catalog' of them listed anywhere, let alone a dated entry post dedicated to them. And this is where blogging is so valuable for creative people. Believe me when I tell you this; I forget how many quilts I've made. I also forget the order I released my own BOMs in and I forget what I was up to, creatively, this time last year. Let alone what I designed and created in my younger years as a textile designer and before that, a fashion and costume designer. Oh my goodness, what a record that would have been to browse through today! Unfortunately, I've never been a diary keeper and so, many creative pursuits have simply been lost to time. 

Time waits for no person and especially not the creative person. Blogging has allowed me to document and journal my work in way that I had not managed in any other time in my life right up until I sat down to that first and rather brief blog post. It was a very small, very humble beginning. But one I am so glad I started. For now, I have a record, a history and a timeline of exactly what I've been up to these past 10 years and it's a breeze to look things up, share info and sometimes even jog my own memory. Sure, 10 years isn't such a long time, but there are even blog posts I don't remember writing and projects I don't remember starting - all documented here. 

It's certainly proven to be a treasure chest of my time. 

And so, I'm really perplexed and left wondering.. where have all the bloggers gone? 10 years ago you could find a blog on almost any subject and be sure to find someone friendly, knowledgeable and actively blogging - it was such a indulgence. From rose gardening to perfect pancakes, there was a blogger ready and waiting to invite you into their lives. Real experiences, real opinions and no advertising or editorial control over the content - just the real goods, no filler.

Today? So many interesting niche blogs have disappeared. So many interesting spots just disappear into virtual nothingness as the years are ticking by.. and so few are being started. It's such a shame. 

As for me, I'll be blogging as long as I have the internet, which I'm pretty sure will be forever. Or until Google kick me off for using up too much web space..if such a thing even exists. 

 What about you?  

 Have you noticed blogging dropping off? 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

My Favorite Tables

The most absurd thing just happened. I got another table. 

And now my family have revolted; there's a furniture mutiny in the house. They say I have "too many tables". But I ask you, how many is too many..exactly? I mean, for the working life of a designer, I feel like I don't have enough.

This is my latest table, don't you just love those simple legs? It goes up and down, making it perfect for all my applique pinning work. I found this beautiful table whilst I was casually browsing online. I don't go looking for tables, but they do somehow keep finding me. This one appeared in a sidebar and I knew it was what I was missing.

So here it is, being useful. 

I've turned it into a side attraction to my main event - this square table. I don't know why there aren't more square tables in the world, I love them. This is where I go online and share my work with the world. My computer screen is turned to the side in this picture, so you might not be able to see it, but it's there. I might be showing my age now, but I still think it's incredible that I can sit here and connect with thousands of people over in my Group who are also busy creating. I never take it for granted, it's such a special thing. And it's a special thing that takes place on this table.

Both these tables are to the side of my giant dining table. You can just see a peek of it in the corner of the photo. I start most of my projects over there and then 'graduate' them to these two tables here.. it's a creative process and frankly, I feel like I could use a few more tables but we are definitely out of room, which is a real shame;  I need an extra surface to comfortably draw on without taking space away from anything else.

I suppose I could create in 'shifts' if I absolutely had to, but as soon as I pack something up, I usually forget about it, so these tables keep everything at the forefront on my mind - right where I need them to be.

So, just lately there's been talk around the Sunday Lunch table that maybe I have enough tables now (I don't think I do actually) and it's been getting me down. After all, a quilter needs her space.And then some more. And then just a little pinch extra. Isn't that so?

I feel like no one at home understands or has enough vision when it comes to the importance of tables. And if I can't come onto my own blog to defend my collection of tables, then who else could possibly understand my predicament?

Surely someone out there understands?!

WOW: Working On Birdy

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

Today I'm working on my 2019 Applique BOM called Hold Onto Your Heart. I'm making it in 2 colourways - yes, I'm really making such an intense quilt..ah... TWICE. 

No, I don't know what I was thinking. One is a full colour anything goes style quilt and the other is this soft and gentle scheme. I've already completed the Birdscene on my full colour quilt, so today I'm completing it on my gentle quilt.

I love Wednesdays because in my house, it's Applique day. And even now, after several years of WOW, I still look forward to it and and I still love applique too. I do wonder how much more applique I can cram into a day.. I think this year is just about my limit!

  What's Your WOW?  

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Lily Rose: VOTE TO WIN !

I'm over the moon this morning! My quilt 'Lily Rose' has made it into the Quilter's Companion Hall of Fame and is shortlisted for a prize. Please head on over to the Quilter's Companion site by clicking the image above.. and if you love Lily Rose, vote for it!

And when you vote, YOU could win a fabulous prize, so it's worth your effort to click.

To celebrate Lily Rose being shortlisted, I've put the pattern on sale. 

For the next 48 hours, you can buy the complete digital pattern for $4.80 USD. 

  Lily Rose  

  Complete Digital Pattern  

$19.95 USD

It's wonderful to see interest in this lovely quilt: knowing that so many new hands will be creating this quilt brings joy to my heart. Already over in my Group, members are sharing their own Lily Rose's and the images are breathtaking! I love applique and creating new projects and Lily Rose is just so much fun, I can't wait to share my pattern with you and see what you create. 

And don't forget, you can follow how I made my own Lily Rose, step by step, over in my Quilt Archives Page. Simply click here now to browse my Lily Rose creative journey and get inspired to start your own! 

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Queen's Garden by Karen Daniel

Karen Daniel from Ilkley, Sunshine Coast, Australia created this stunner: look at these colors! The dark background makes all the colours zing so beautifully.  I am in love with the impact of a dark background on this design, and the centre pinks, yellow and green anchors the quilt perfectly.  Here's what Karen had to say: This was my first BOM, first attempt at appliqué and my first QAYG Files show front and back of quilt. Karen, you've sure got that knack for applique! This is more than an accomplished effort, I'm really proud that this is your first applique quilt and honored that you invested your skills in my BOM. 'Queen's Garden'

Read more about this quilt by clicking here now

--------------------------- Open Quilt Gallery--------------------------- 

Thanks to Karen Daniel for sharing her finished quilt with us all to take inspiration from. If you'd like to see more finished quilts made from any of my patterns, visit my Open Gallery. It's a place for all quilters who make any of my quilts to show off their creations in a central online gallery. It's new and I hope you'll join us by adding your own quilt there. Submitting your quilt pics is easily done via an upload screen directly on my website. Click here now if you'd like to submit your own quilt.

Hold Onto Your Heart: Part 6 Cacti

By now you've already seen this image, but I wanted to share my fabric switch out. You know I love chopping and changing my mind over fabrics, and the cacti fabric is no different. I started with the sea green above, I just loved it and thought it was perfect. But as the rest of scene started taking shape around it, I felt it was too stark and replaced it with this print below.

It's such a small switch but makes such a huge impact. I get to see these kinds of little decisions all the time over in my Quilt Group and I just wanted to share my own on here, I know how addictive it can be to fuss over fabric. In this instance, it was worth the extra motif making!

How cute are these cacti? I can't wait to show you my subtle quilt too. It looks like this bright version has become my ambassador quilt as it's coming together so much quicker! Luckily for me, they're both on track - I just work in different phases and parts which means the subtle one is never ready for photos, but I'm hoping to catch up soon.

 'Hold Onto Your Heart' is a paid BOM 

It's a breathtaking quilt full of meaningful symbols and beauty. The floral border is a triumph which offers an additional  pieced option - making it versatile for all skill levels. Perfect for lovers and enthusiasts of applique. 

You can start this BOM today! 

Be sure to visit my Online Quilt Group on Facebook where progress images are being shown all the time. It's a massive inspiration and I warn you, it's addictive!

Hold Onto Your Heart: Part 6 Orbs

One of the things I dislike about writing patterns is having to name certain elements or motifs for the sake of clarity. I much prefer not to name elements and for creators to develop their own terminology. It's the same with these shapes-I've been calling orbs since I drew them but I know everyone will instinctively just know what to call them. Non quilting friends who have seen this shape laying about tables in my house have called them dials, portals and windows. I love each idea in its own turn. 

So this is my orb: I had played around with keeping the centre empty so that the background fabric would show through, and when I tried this it looked very effective. In the end, as this is such a colourful statement quilt top, I decided to opt for more features rather than less. I settled on this wonderful rose print at just the right size for fussy cutting.

Here I'm using my favourite circle tool. If you don't have one already, get one - it makes circles a cinch!

Below are the pattern shapes cut from the fusible

For the circles all around the orb - these are optional.

You could also reverse cut them out to reveal your background fabric if you like.

For me, I'm adding smaller circles as additional applique shapes over the main motif.

Here I'm using my usual fusible, glue stick and turn edge method

and this is the back view

It's important to remember that these orbs want to grow - I know because I had to keep trimming mine back. Take care because the quilt is busy and the space is a custom fit, you can't allow the shapes to creep up any larger than indicated on the pattern.

When thinking about creating your orbs, remember that you don't have to add the extra circles on the dial, you can fussy cut the scalloped shape to show off a fabric instead if it suits your theme better.

Jenny Henry who is a Moderator in my Group has had the wonderful idea of inserting a photo image in each orb as a kind of photo frame - this works perfectly and is definitely worth considering. In fact I love the idea so much that I have incorporated it on my subtle quilt top and will show it in more detail when I have some images..

 'Hold Onto Your Heart' is a paid BOM 

It's a breathtaking quilt full of meaningful symbols and beauty. The floral border is a triumph which offers an additional  pieced option - making it versatile for all skill levels. Perfect for lovers and enthusiasts of applique. 

You can start this BOM today! 

Be sure to visit my Online Quilt Group on Facebook where progress images are being shown all the time. It's a massive inspiration and I warn you, it's addictive!

Hold Onto Your Heart: Part 6

This month it’s time to create the applique birdsong scene: you'll find all the wonderful details over in the pattern which is released today. I love this scene, it's the perfect place to begin the first of our four stories. When I was sketching the design, this bird couple just flew into the scene and perched themselves on the cacti. There's always a bird in my designs, well almost always - but in this instance, the cacti came before the birds.. which is a little unusual, but felt right straight away.

Cacti represent warmth, protection and endurance. The birds are plucking fruit from the blossoming flower heads whilst around them, vines are flourishing. There are two orbs tucked under the petal swirls. These orbs appear only once in the design and are very interesting, I'll return to them tomorrow and show you how I made mine.

These images are from my full colour quilt top, I just love how the overall look is coming together. There were a few moments when I was worried, it felt like too much colour all at once..but has finally come into it's own.

 'Hold Onto Your Heart' is a paid BOM 

It's a breathtaking quilt full of meaningful symbols and beauty. The floral border is a triumph which offers an additional  pieced option - making it versatile for all skill levels. Perfect for lovers and enthusiasts of applique. 

You can start this BOM today! 

Be sure to visit my Online Quilt Group on Facebook where progress images are being shown all the time. It's a massive inspiration and I warn you, it's addictive!