woody

I am hoping to get some advice from those of you that have made at least a lap sized watercolour quilt.
I would love to make one about 55" x 65" in this sort of design http://www.etsy.com/listing/10670913...hristian-cross for my Godmother, who has recently lost her husband.

I don't have much of a stash, especially not much in the way of florals so I was thinking of puchasing the pre cut squares, but would you get the 2"or the 4" squares? I haven't seen a watercolour quilt in person so it is hard to imagine what they would look like.

Also, the thought of sewing all those squares together is a bit daunting? Is there an easier way? Can you strip piece it? Any Books or websites you would recommend? I haven't been able to find any kits for a larger sized quilt, but this might be an option if the will post to Australia.

Thanks for your help, I really would love to get this right for my Godmother. If anyone has any other suggestions for quilt anlong the same sort of theme, I would love to see it too.

Patti25314

I think if you want a similar look, use the smaller squares. I made pillow covers for my friend who lost her hubby. She gave me some of his favorite shirts to use. Bright colors work well. You might want to consider something like that for her quilt. Or another idea might be to use some of his old ties for the cross. Be sure to post your finished project. OK?

Lori S

The smaller the sqaure the better the blending of the colors and fabrics. many of these use the grid iron on interfacing. You can position all of the squares prior to sewing when you use the grid. It goes much much faster. But the interfacing adds stiffness and is typically used for wall hangings.
I suggest you get a bit of the grid interfacing and see if you like it. Note " the one with yellow lines is the iron on the one with blue lines is not iron on.

Holice

PM me privately. I am away until the 23 but might be able to help

candi

Woody,
Have you come across the Whims website? http://www.whims.cc/
They sell pre cut squares, patterns,have some video tutolrials and everything else you need to make a watercolor quilt. They sell the small squares and those are the ones that I imagine work best for this kind of quilts. They also sell fusible grids where you fuse all the squares the way you want them and then just stitch on the lines. I have never made a watercolor quilt personally but have been collecting squares for one.
Good luck.

ckcowl

water color quilts are generally made with 2" squares- you can purchase fusable interfacing with a 2" grid on it- you lay the squares onto the fusable side of the interfacing-arranging until you have it right-then press the squares into place- then you fold each (line) of squares right sides together and stitch your 1/4" seam- when you have them all stitched in one direction you turn it, and do the same in the other direction.
quiltsmart is one source for the grid- and they have tutorials- pictures- i will take a picture of one of the blocks i've been working on - front & back tomorrow- and come back to show you-
if you can not find the grid where you are you can pick up a lightweight fusable interfacing and draw the 2" grid lines on it yourself- you can make it any size you want using it- i purchased a bolt (15 yds) of the grid interfacing- then i cut squares- line it up & press the edges together to make it the size i need. watercolor quilts are beautiful and really not as (daunting) as they appear.

ckcowl

watercolor quilts are not as (daunting) as they may look- you can purchase 2" fusable interfacing grid (or other sizes- 2" is a good size for watercolors though)
quiltsmart carries the fusable grid- and i'm sure other places too- you can even purchase lightweight fusable interfacing & draw your own grid on it.
you lay your 2" (or what ever size) squares of fabric on the fusable side of the interfacing- arranging until you have it right- then press the pieces to the grid.
once the squares are fused onto the interfacing you fold one row of squares (right sides together)- go to the sewing machine & stitch your 1/4" seam- fold the next line- continue until all the rows in one direction are stitched- then fold in the other direction & stitch those rows until all rows have been stitched in place- a good pressing & you are done- ready to border (if using a border) sandwich & quilt.
you can line up pieces of the interfacing & press the edges together to create a grid any size you want it to be.
when i get home & have a chance tomorrow i will take a couple pictures of the front/back of one of my squares i have done so you can see this- there are tutorials on the technique- and you do not have to worry about sewing each of those little squares together.
i know quiltsmart has 1 1/2" & 2" grids available. some places even have flannel grids- i don't know if they are fusable or not- the fusable interfacing really makes these fun easy projects.

LadyElisabeth

I used the iron on interfacing with the blue grid. It worked very nicely. I did clip some of the corner seams on the backside so it lay more flat. They really are very pretty when completed

NJ Quilter

I used 2" squares but did not use a foundation/fusible piece. Just laid them out to desired pattern and sewed. I hand quilt and thought the foundation would be too difficult to quilt through. If you are machine quilting the fusible will probably make things easier. Definitely clip the intersections after it's all sewn though.

woody

Thanks everyone for your helpful advice, the fusible sounds so much easier than sewing all the squares together. I should be able to work it out now.