milp04

Hi,

In this fabulously great tutorial the glass of the window is being stitched in by machine. The stitching is through all of the fabric layers. This stitching then creates the stitched pattern of quilting on the back side of the quilt as seen in one of the posted pictures.

When the glass of the window is being stitched in by
hand, the stitching does not need to be stitched through all of the layers. The stitching of the glass will be with the fabric that is folding over (the fabric that helps to create the circles) and through the glass fabric and through the first layer of the base square fabric. Stitching only through these layers of fabric will be enough stitching to secure the glass fabric.

This hand stitched method, as described above, will then create a little pocket area. If you've ever seen this pattern in antique quilts in person you might remember this. I've always wondered how this pocket was created. Now I know thanks to this tutorial.

This pattern does allow for a mixture of machine and hand stitching. By machine stitching the base fabric squares the making of these would go rather quickly. Especially if chain sewing and using a production line system to build up a supply of the base squares.

By putting a small group of base squares together, you have a small section to work with to add the glass fabric to make the colored window sections. The process could be completed with hand work for those who desire. By having small sections this could be a take-along project to work on while waiting at appointments or waiting for kids at their activities.

Just a thought I had, when putting the glass fabric into the square, it might help to use a slight amount of glue stick on the back of the glass fabric to help hold it in place. Not a lot mind you, but just enough to keep it from moving around while working around the square.

I would also make sure to pre-wash any and all fabric for this project. Especially if your base square are in the whites, and creams and then using colored fabric for the window panes. Even when pre-washing some older fabrics need to have extra attention to set the dye colors.

One comment about tacking down the four corners. When you tack down these four corners this goes through to the back of the quilt. The pattern that you see on the back then is a square with the tacking in the center of each square. This process helps to secure the top section of the quilt to the back fabric of the base squares. So you'll see squares with stitching grouped in the center, a dot of sorts.

Like several others, this tutorial was explained so clearly that even beginners can understand. The step by step pictures with comments helping to show each step are just outstanding. Without even stitching up one of these I do believe that I could show someone else how to make these blocks.

Thank you for the tip about cutting the glass fabric square just slightly smaller. This just makes such total sense. It helps to avoid fighting with the fabric and having the bulging bumps that would occur.

You've even helped to make the math portion of determining the necessary fabric needed quite understandable. You also mentioned that knowing the fabric width is important.

I like how you commented that it is a wise to get extra fabric. This has always been a practice of mine. I've been thankful of this when working on projects long after their purchase. I try as best as I can with budget limitations to do this with every project. It's a good idea to buy 1/4 yard more or an extra fat quarter of every fabric for projects.

This pattern is now definately on my "To-Do List" of projects.

I have never seen this pattern worked and completed by hand in a quilt in person, only the final outcome, so my comments are just MHO of logical thoughts.

Thank you for such a superb tutorial and thank you for reading my thoughts and suggestions.

Have a Great Quilty Day!

Pam M