argggggh!! I give up!
 

My oldest Granddaughter graduates from Air Force basic training Thursday. I got her a world atlas and I really wanted to make a cover for it with "Oh, the Places You'll Go!" on the cover. So I started off with peltex, fabric and stencil letters. First off the letters ended up to big so I cut it down to "Places to go" then it was impossible to applique the letters to just the fabric so I went ahead and ironed both inside and outside fabrics to the peltex so it was stabilized. Then my machine decides it's not all that fond of the peltex and the letters just looked awful. So then I decide I can use pellon fleece instead of the peltex. I tried to satin stitch the front, fleece and back around the edges and that really turned out crappy. Now that I've gone thru a yard and a half of Walmart fabric I'm going to just give her the atlas.

I don't get to go to her graduation either. It's outside, in July in San Antonio Texas. I just can't take that kind of heat and sun anymore.

Since it won't be washed, Heat & Bond (regular) would make it easier. You could also make it easier on yourself, by using some of that pre-quilted fabric (unless it's double-faced, I'd still line it).

Having one of those days myself. Sorry it has been rough!

Why not take her out for lunch or breakfast to celebrate graduation? Graduations are not the least bit thrilling to me and i have a BS and MS. I think if I got another degree, I would skip the ceremony... I am sure she will love the atlas. BTW. why not a pillowcase with the theme? I think it is a cool idea and she would use the pillowcase more.

The only way I do fabric letters and numbers is by Terry Atkinson's book Fat Quarter Fonts. It's so easy with perfect results every time. My 12 year old niece and DGD mastered the technique the first time. They went a step more and used coloring book pictures instead of letters. I'm not a big fan of Mrs. Atkinson's patterns but I think this book should be in everyone's quilt library.

Congratulations to your DGD accomplishment! Military graduates are very special people!

I recently made letters that I appliqued to a quilt.

I typed what I wanted in word, chose the font I liked - then played around with the font size until it fit the quilt. I then traced the letters onto my steam-a-seam - cut them out - and appliqued them.

Just remember to trace them backwards.

(I taped them backwards on my window as a "light box" then taped the steam-a-seam over it to trace).

So sorry things did not work out as you imagined. I hate it when that happens. I just did a quilt for grandson's birthday that wasn't what I envisioned. Give her love and spend some time with her when you can as suggested above. Sometimes I think time spent with someone can be our greatest gift.

Our daughter graduated from Air Force Basic training in Sept. of 2006. We made the trip down, from WI.
Sounds like an awesome gift idea. Our daughter has visited many locations while being stationed, deployed (Iraq and Afghan) as well as many short trips she has taken since being in Germany the past 2 years.
Your granddaughter will enjoy your gift.

Couldn't you just embroidery it on a block and go from there? I am making my son a Navy quilt with the three ships he has been on and I embroidery some of the places he has been. Was suppose to be a lap size, but the ship did not show to well printed in 5" x 7" so I did them in 8" x 10" and now it fits the top of my King Cal bed. Struggling with it but is determined to finish it. Almost there.

Graduating from Boot Camp is different from college and it is very exciting, not boring. And to really be a fuddy-duddy, breakfast is also out. They usually can't leave the base til the ceremony is over, so lunch or dinner after would be appropriate if you are in town. Usually family is not lucky enough to be close the base. A lot of families have a big to-do when they get leave before they move on to the next phase of their training. That is when we had a BIG party at home and he got all the Congrat presents!! Making a cover for the book would be an awesome additional gift. Try some of the suggestions before you give up entirely.

I think this a great idea! The atlas will be sentimental if you inscribe it, but I'm sure most kids these days get their information online. And she would see and use the pillowcase every day .

such a thoughtful gift.. you will come up with something just perfect also to give it in... thanks for sharing and hope your day now will less stressful.. jut relax and enjoy

I use Printed Treasures fabric and print what I want to say directly onto the fabric. My Epson printer uses durabrite ink which is waterproof. Then I sew the printed fabric on.

I think I'd embroider it. Maybe you've got a friend who could help you out with that. If not, I'd be glad to do it if you want to mail it to GA. My son has been in the AF for 15 years and has been in Italy for 2 years. It's a good career if you don't mind moving around.

I like AZ Jane's idea of giving her the cover later. I have been working with Peltex making some mobiles. This is what I do.
1. Cut your Peltex to the size you want it to cover the Atlas.
2. Cut your background fabric to fit your Peltex...I cover both sides...and then put fusible on the back side.
3. Trace your "Oh, the places you'll go" on to the smooth side of the fusible and then fuse it to the fabric you have chosen for your letters
4. Cut them out, and place them on your front cover (play with where you want to put them before you take the paper off)
5. Fuse the letters to the front cover
6. I use the blanket stitch on my machine to outline the design. And you are done.

Good luck, and good luck to your granddaughter on her travels.