Sweet Tweets

Another class I took while I was in Des Moines was from Laura Wasilowski, called “Fowl Play.”  Laura makes whimsical art quilts using raw edge applique – or fused applique.

She provided some of her hand dyed fabrics with fusible web already applied, so all we really had to do was cut out the shapes and apply heat.  The picture above is what I was able to do in class.  I wanted to add a few more things to it, though.

After I got home, I added some border pieces, a few more grasses and a sun.  Then everything got a good steam press to ensure a good fuse.  And then came the fun part!

Hand embroidery!  Laura also hand dyes perle cotton threads in various sizes.  I also have a small selection of perle cotton and was able to experiment with the different colors and weights.  It’s hard to tell how much is enough, though.

In the end, I decided to do some machine quilting in the “sky” and stitch a narrow binding, and call it done!  But not before adding the final, very important, piece . . .

The Official Seal of The Chicago School of Fusing!  As a graduate and alumni, I can now display this emblem proudly!  On this piece, at least.  I guess I’ll need to take another class if I want another TCSoF label.  I could live with that!