How to use my Whisperlite Tracer to mark your quilt.....
My Whisperlite Tracer is a very versatile product.
In this "how-to" I will show you how it can be used to mark your quilt top for quilting.
Whisperlite Tracer is available in 1 yard packets or by the yard off the bolt with a minimum of 1 yard cut. Click here to go to the shopping pages.
Step 1.
Place a page protector or piece of plastic over the quilting design you wish to trace (to protect the page).
Step 2.
Place the Whisperlite over the design and tape in place.
Step 3.
Using a *blue wash out fabric marker, trace the quilting design onto the Whisperlite tracer.
*(always test marking pen on a scrap of like fabric to test if it will wash out. Also follow all of the pen manufacturer's recommendations and instructions.)
Step 4.
Place the Whisperlite tracing onto the quilt top where you wish to mark your design. Pin in place.
Step 5.
Using the same fabric marker, re-trace the quilting design on the whisperlite. The porous nature of the Whisperlite allows the pen marks to show up on the quilt beneath. see last photo
The markings are now on the quilt. If needed you can darken any lines if you find them hard to see.
NOTE - DO NOT use any type of permanent marking pen for any of the steps.
My Whisperlite Tracer is a very versatile product.
In this "how-to" I will show you how it can be used to mark your quilt top for quilting.
Whisperlite Tracer is available in 1 yard packets or by the yard off the bolt with a minimum of 1 yard cut. Click here to go to the shopping pages.
Step 1.
Place a page protector or piece of plastic over the quilting design you wish to trace (to protect the page).
Step 2.
Place the Whisperlite over the design and tape in place.
Step 3.
Using a *blue wash out fabric marker, trace the quilting design onto the Whisperlite tracer.
*(always test marking pen on a scrap of like fabric to test if it will wash out. Also follow all of the pen manufacturer's recommendations and instructions.)
Step 4.
Place the Whisperlite tracing onto the quilt top where you wish to mark your design. Pin in place.
Step 5.
Using the same fabric marker, re-trace the quilting design on the whisperlite. The porous nature of the Whisperlite allows the pen marks to show up on the quilt beneath. see last photo
The markings are now on the quilt. If needed you can darken any lines if you find them hard to see.
NOTE - DO NOT use any type of permanent marking pen for any of the steps.
www.thistledownquilts.com
a playful fusion of quilting & creativity
Linda Zokan ~ designer
a playful fusion of quilting & creativity
Linda Zokan ~ designer
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Quilting tips, how to's and links
Do you have stacks of batting pieces leftover from trimming your quilts? Well, here's a new way to recycle your quilt batting into yarn to knit with! Yes.... to knit with. cotton batting turns into lovely soft yarn and it's so easy to do. I have designed 3 patterns using quilt batting to knit with to get you started.
The pattern category is called Earthknits and you can just click the link to go there.
Basically all you do is cut the batting into strips (approx. 3/8") and knot them together. You can dye your batting or use it as is, it's up to you. Just make sure to dye it before cutting it into strips... take my word for it, it's much easier that way.
Depending on the project you combine the batting yarn with other yarn, or use it all by itself. Give it a try and whittle down your stack of batting scraps.
The pattern category is called Earthknits and you can just click the link to go there.
Basically all you do is cut the batting into strips (approx. 3/8") and knot them together. You can dye your batting or use it as is, it's up to you. Just make sure to dye it before cutting it into strips... take my word for it, it's much easier that way.
Depending on the project you combine the batting yarn with other yarn, or use it all by itself. Give it a try and whittle down your stack of batting scraps.
Have fun in the sun!
x pretreated sun printing fabrics, and the sun.
All you need besides the pretreated fabric and a sunny day are a few basic supplies.
There are several ways to create exciting designs on your fabric and Shibori is a simple way to get started. Shibori is simply the art of manipulating the fabric by folding, scrunching, tying, etc.
Shibori is the technique used for good old fashioned tie dyeing, but no dye is used in sun printing ~ plus it's quick and no mess is involved.
In the following example I used pony beads and pearl cotton to tie the fabric and create this faceted design.
Each print is unique.
This shows the fabric square all prepared and pinned to a foam board. It has already been exposed to the sun for printing.
I just randomly placed a small pony bead (or you can use dried beans) behind the fabric, then tied pearl cotton around the bead and secured with a simple knot. Then after sun exposure you simply rinse in cool water and lay flat to dry. Look below for another example.....
This next example is super easy...
I simply borrowed a whole bunch of metal washers from my husbands hardware stash and layed them on the fabric square and exposed it to the sun for printing. This was the basis for my little quilt that I then embellished with embroidery stitches.
This example was made using the cheddar yellow pretreated fabric. The color pops after it is rinsed.
How's that for easy!??
There are numerous other ways to tie and manipulate your fabric for sun printing. I have small kits of the pretreated fabrics available in mixed colors or the more traditional blue/white color you see in the first example.
Sun printing is a great summer project for yourself or to engage in with your children or grandchildren.
x pretreated sun printing fabrics, and the sun.
All you need besides the pretreated fabric and a sunny day are a few basic supplies.
There are several ways to create exciting designs on your fabric and Shibori is a simple way to get started. Shibori is simply the art of manipulating the fabric by folding, scrunching, tying, etc.
Shibori is the technique used for good old fashioned tie dyeing, but no dye is used in sun printing ~ plus it's quick and no mess is involved.
In the following example I used pony beads and pearl cotton to tie the fabric and create this faceted design.
Each print is unique.
This shows the fabric square all prepared and pinned to a foam board. It has already been exposed to the sun for printing.
I just randomly placed a small pony bead (or you can use dried beans) behind the fabric, then tied pearl cotton around the bead and secured with a simple knot. Then after sun exposure you simply rinse in cool water and lay flat to dry. Look below for another example.....
This next example is super easy...
I simply borrowed a whole bunch of metal washers from my husbands hardware stash and layed them on the fabric square and exposed it to the sun for printing. This was the basis for my little quilt that I then embellished with embroidery stitches.
This example was made using the cheddar yellow pretreated fabric. The color pops after it is rinsed.
How's that for easy!??
There are numerous other ways to tie and manipulate your fabric for sun printing. I have small kits of the pretreated fabrics available in mixed colors or the more traditional blue/white color you see in the first example.
Sun printing is a great summer project for yourself or to engage in with your children or grandchildren.
Make some fabric beads for fun! It's super easy..
I needed some beads for the fringe on a scarf and so I decided to make some fabric beads....here's how I did it.
Step 1. choose your fabric and cut into slightly tapered strips. The wider the strip the longer the bead.
Step 2. choose the tool to wrap your bead on. This will depend on the size opening you want in your finished bead. I needed a good size opening as I was going to string these on yarn. I chose a small crochet hook. Begin wrapping the fabric beginning with the wider end of the fabric strip.
Step 3. Wrap the fabric around the tool about 3 or 4 times. Cut the fabric on a diagonal or to a point as shown in these next 2 pictures.
Step 4. Use a toothpick and spread a small amount of fabric glue on the wrong side of the fabric tip.
Step 5. Wrap end snugly around fabric bead and let dry. If a semi gloss finish is desired coat the outside with modge podge, a gesso, or a spray finish.
Here's the fringe with the beads.....
watch for more how-to's and links
Links Lists
links to favorite friends and other retail sites that carry all or some of my patterns and products. Bear with me as I build this list. If you're missing from the list let me know - I'm blond you know. LOL
Clotilde
Gifts for Quilters
Peggy's Heirlooms of Tomorrow
Quilter's Warehouse
Quilt Lover's Hangout
SEW Studio
Quilt camp in the Pines
Nancy's Notions
Country Crossroads Quilt Shop
The Quilt Place
Wholesale inquires (shops) may contact me via e-mail or follow links to wholesale distributors that carry my patterns.
Checker Distributors
Pattern Peddlers
Quilter's Warehouse
I needed some beads for the fringe on a scarf and so I decided to make some fabric beads....here's how I did it.
Step 1. choose your fabric and cut into slightly tapered strips. The wider the strip the longer the bead.
Step 2. choose the tool to wrap your bead on. This will depend on the size opening you want in your finished bead. I needed a good size opening as I was going to string these on yarn. I chose a small crochet hook. Begin wrapping the fabric beginning with the wider end of the fabric strip.
Step 3. Wrap the fabric around the tool about 3 or 4 times. Cut the fabric on a diagonal or to a point as shown in these next 2 pictures.
Step 4. Use a toothpick and spread a small amount of fabric glue on the wrong side of the fabric tip.
Step 5. Wrap end snugly around fabric bead and let dry. If a semi gloss finish is desired coat the outside with modge podge, a gesso, or a spray finish.
Here's the fringe with the beads.....
watch for more how-to's and links
Links Lists
links to favorite friends and other retail sites that carry all or some of my patterns and products. Bear with me as I build this list. If you're missing from the list let me know - I'm blond you know. LOL
Clotilde
Gifts for Quilters
Peggy's Heirlooms of Tomorrow
Quilter's Warehouse
Quilt Lover's Hangout
SEW Studio
Quilt camp in the Pines
Nancy's Notions
Country Crossroads Quilt Shop
The Quilt Place
Wholesale inquires (shops) may contact me via e-mail or follow links to wholesale distributors that carry my patterns.
Checker Distributors
Pattern Peddlers
Quilter's Warehouse