I would like to make a wall hanging for my church. Every week I sit there looking at a "flag" someone donated to hang behind the minister in the pulpit. We are a tiny church, usually 30 people per week attend.

We have some gorgeous stained glass windows on the two sides of the church. I would like to make a quilted wall hanging of a replica of the stained glass window. I have pics from a brochure I did a couple of years ago.

Now, to all my bffs on this forum- HELP!!! Any books you can recommend or websites I should visit? Or- what about your experiences? I've seen some awesome work on here so your insights are much more than I can ever read in a book.

I was thinking a muslin background to lay it out on. Then cut the pieces and use black 1/4" binding ironed on (I see Clover has it on rolls), making it an applique. Then quilt- how I have no clue, probably send to quilter since I want this to be a "work of art".

First I'm going to print out the pics and make them big enough to become the pattern and lay them out on the bed in the guest room. And from there...????

Any ideas or info you can provide will be greatly appreciated.

Barb

I don't have any help or ideas for you....I know big help I am, huh? lol
I just want to see it finished! :) :) :)

Come on terri- you have great ideas! Think I'm getting in too deep?

I had promised myself I wouldn't get "too involved" in the church again. There was a time I was 3 to 4 times a week with groups and meetings and cleaning and church dinners, etc. I was fried, but I went back, telling myself my true reason for attending did not mean I needed to get involved. But this flag just bugs me, I need to do something to change it.

At Christmas we have a nice quilted wall hanging I bought a craft show. They raved over it so I know they would like it.

Here is one source of information on quilted stained glass:

http://www.equilters.com/library/qui...ss-quilts.html

Good luck!!

Well I don't know if I will be much help but here goes... I did what you said found a pattern I wanted to do, went to a local printer and blew it up 200%. I had to do it myself, they couldn't do it because of copyrights ( but the patern did say on it to take to a printer and have them blow it up 200% LOL ?) Then I used muslin as the background. I traced the pattern onto the muslin , cut out the fabric and pinned it to the muslin, kind of like putting a puzzle back together. I couldn't find the clover iron on so I just used the 1/4 single fold binding and zig zagged that on. OOppss forgot after I had pinned the fabric to the muslin I made my sandwich, (batting and backing ) so when I attached the binding that was the quilting . Does that help any... There is a book on stained glass quilting .. Stained glass Patchwork Techniques by Gail Lawther.. Good Luck
Sharon

Barb....I don't think you are getting in too deep.
You'll get it done and everyone will love it!

Sharon's idea seems pretty easy!

Try getting the book Art Glass Quilts by Julie Hirota. She does a Subtractive Applique Technique. I have a few ideas drawn out that I am going to try one day.

One thought - since there are a couple ways to do stained glass quilts - how about using a black fabric for the base? If you are using black for your "leading" color, any mistakes, odd fits, and such would visually blend in and be perceived as lead.

I have only done small stuff with stained glass techniques, but they are fun and look great. I used a double needle and black thread to secure the tape and pieces butted under it.

I made my pattern by transferring my photo to Paint Shop Pro and increasing edges, then reducing the colors until I had something workable.

My first stained glass was my own design, and it did make life a little tricky.

Similar to applique, you have to start from the "back" of the picture, and work forward, so that ends of one bias strip get tucked under the next one.
Using iron-on bias is sooooo easy.

I made my pattern, traced it onto steam-a-seam and cut the seperate pieces out roughly. Iron onto the coloured fabrics you're using and cut out the pieces again but on the lines this time.
Put the original pattern underneath the calico or muslin on a light box, and place your fabric pieces in the right places and iron on.

Then you can do the bias bits. Do small sections at a time, keeping in mind where each one will end and what comes next, so you can keep it neat.
When it comes to sewing the bias, I used a zipper foot so I could get the stitching nice and close to the edge. A friend has used a double needle to get both sides of the bias in a single run, but mine was slightly too wide for that.

Because of the bias all being sewn, I didn't quilt mine, just spray basted a thin batting, a backing, and bound it.

The effect is stunning, and well worth doing. :-)

That sounds like it will be beautiful. I have never done a stained glass quilt. They intimidate me. I can't wait to see yours.