I joined a BOM for a Dear Jane quilt and I'm going to do the small blocks. I've never done much applique and like the fusible methold (because it's easy and I can do it LOL) but I'm not sure how well that would hold up to washing. I'm thinking about instead of making a quilt with the blocks that I will make wall hangings and maybe valance curtains for my dining room and kitchen out of the blocks. So ladies, here are my questions:

1. What's your opinion on the curtain idea? Would it look stupid? I'm the first to admit that I have ideas that really, really don't work in real life so no offense will be taken if you think it wouldn't work.

2. If I did the curtains, what would be the best way to applique? I don't know that the fusible methold would hold up to repeated washings even if it used a buttonhole stitch along the edge after I fuse it down.

All thoughts and opinions welcomed!

Susan

I don't see any reason why you can't use the block in valances. Remember, there are no quilt police here. As far as how to applique them, I would use the fusible web. And the buttonhole stitch should work fine. How many times are you going to wash them, weekly? Several years ago I made a duvet cover for my grandson with dinosaurs appliqued on the squares. I used fusible web and machine zig-zagged around the edges. A couple have come undone, but that was only after about 10 years of many many washings. I have been intending to make valances for my little office here where I have hot air baloons as my theme. I am going to embroider them on cloud fabric (I think). Remember, it is your home and you can do whatever you want.

Susan,
I think your idea is grand! I have seen several people that have pieced or appliqued curtains for a sewing room, kitchen and even a living room area. They are fabulous. I say, go for it! It will be a fantastic experiment in design for you, and I bet it will inspire you on a daily basis to sew and quilt.
I vote if you are going to the Dear Jane, (I am a drop out of DJ - after 60 blocks) that you might want to enlarge the patterns just a little. They are pretty small blocks and if you are putting them on curtains...the lovely designs may be a bit small to see and admire. But try it...if you like.
You might just do some quick DJ's with just an iron on without taking the time to do a small zig-zag around the designs....If they are hanging up as curtains....And how many times will you really take them down and wash them? If you think you want to do this and finish the edges...then I vote for the machine zig-zag...because it will protect all your raw edges.
Note of caution: The DJ patterns that we are seeing, (not the originals)were first designed by a person that had never quilted. Thus in many of the patterns, there are litterally less than 1/8th inch seam allowances. And those may come out when washed repeatedly.
DJ is fun and to have a group meeting doing it together each month is a lot of fun, and there are several groups online that are really cool. I joined two when I was doing DJ and participated in several swaps. What a great group of quilting gals...and a world of experience and encouragement.
I encourage you to do the curtains and enjoy the experience.
If you get a little fabric that doesn't behave well after a washing or two, well...isn't that what fabric glue is for?
lol....
just Jan

even when using fusable for your applique the appliques are still stitched down so they hold up quite well. I love the idea of window coverings, valances ect. we have patchwork drapes in our bedroom that match our quilt (well one of the quilts anyway) and i am working on a cathedral window project with wow backgrounds and batik windows...i plan to use it for a roman shade in my sewing room.
you can make anything you want with your quilting...be adventurous! but stitch down your appliques if you do not want them to fall off sometime down the road.

ROFLMBO Not hardly!!! I'm lucky to wash curtains 2 or 3 times a year :oops: I HATE to clean and would much rather spend my time quilting.

Good point Jan. I was going to do the small blocks just because I'd never done blocks that small and I thought I'd try it but I may reconsider and do the 9" blocks. Thanks!

take the time to stitch the applique with a blanket stitch I ironed some fish onto some material to stabalize it so I could sew it later and it started to fall of before I had finished sewing it.
I am making a seascape quilt for my DD & her hubby

Just think ahead. Curtains are made to filter and block the light and will become faded if you don't use window film or are using darker fabrics. I would hate to go to all that work and in a year have ruined curtains. Here in Sunny CA. we had all our windows filmed to protect our carpet and furniture from fading. We only have blinds etc. as fabric can and do fade around the windows.

I learned a new technique regarding applique. I have not tried it yet but it looks easy. Take what you want to applique. Put it face down on a piece of dryer sheet. Stitch around the edges.
Cut a slit in the middle of the dryer sheet. Turn the applique to the outside, by pulling it through the slit. Press. Applique is now finished. Now stitch applique to fabric with a decorative stitch. Wha hoo! You are done.