Research shows that when you do things with your hands, whether cooking or gardening, crafting (OR QUILTING!), happy chemicals are released in your brain.
I believe that !
There's a good chance I will be making this quilt again, so I'm documenting the details.
This is Rosie’s bicycle quilt. It gives me dopamine :)
I've used 2 methods to enlarge a design. The first- use a printing service that has a Large-Format Printer. HP makes two widths, 24" and 36". Do your math, you may need to cut your design in 1/2 lengthwise to get 2 rolls with 1/2 your design on each roll.
I was lazy and didn't want to go to a printer, so I enlarged the bicycle using the grid method many of us learned in elementary school.
Tack the enlarged pattern onto a design board. Lay a sheet of Golden Threads Quilting Paper over the design and trace a copy of the design. Cut out the pieces and use them to create your templates.
To make stiff templates, iron 3 layers of freezer paper together and cut out each pattern piece.
Appliquéd the bicycle on first by cutting out the fabric pieces 1/4" larger than the template, ironing the edges under and sewing them on close the edge. Attach the basket the same way. Hyacinth Quilt Designs has a blog post with great pictures of this method.
Next is a base layer of leaves. There are too many details on the leaves and flowers, for the previously used appliqué method for the bicycle frame.
The raw edge appliqué method is the perfect option, creating texture.
A combination of both is nice.
This was my inspiration for the poppies…
(I didn't keep the source of these lovely poppies. I apologize. Please let me know if this is your creation :)
A layer of batting underneath the pedals adds interest.
stats
52 x 68 washed
Bamboo batting
Adapted from Blossoms and Spokes by Cotton Street Commons.
Background is 5" squares, 12 squares across, 16 down.
Chenille for the spokes and...
... flower centers.
Satin Backed Flannel light weight and cool on the skin and more chenille for Rosie's name.
Quilted with an HQ Sweetsixteen..
*** All applique should be sewn on with a 2.0 or smaller stitch length. Chenille should be sewn on using a 1.0 stitch length.
Order of construction:
1. Create background quilt with 5" squares, the size of your desired finished quilt.
2. Using a smaller stitch length (2.0) appliqué on the basket, then bike frame and tire, turning edges under and sewing close to the edge with matching thread.
3. Sandwich top, batting and backing together.
4. Quilt all background fabric (white) with a meandering (or easy) design.
5. Apply flowers and leaves in layers. Sew 1/8" to 1/4" from the edge, leaving enough to fray after washing.
6. Sew down stems of poppies.
7. Sew on the flower centers, doubling the chenille.
8. Carefully clip edges of all raw quilting.
9. Bind
10. Wash and rinse a couple of times to get all the threads out. Dry for 6-7 minutes in the dryer on a cool setting then lay flat (I use a floor with lines I can follow)and square quilt, taping edges to the floor if necessary until dry.
