Looking for Input/Feedback
 

One of my church members has asked me to make a wallhanging from blocks her granddaughter created. The artwork is from first grade to present. She is 8 years old. (The church family is raising funds to pay down the mortgage on an addition - thus my quilting to raise funds.)

Today she brought me 15 blocks that are screen printed onto silk. Silk?? it may be poly, regardless it is freying like craxy. The artwork blocks are all different sizes with wide margins on all sides so I have some wiggle room when sizing. There are rectangles, squares, circles and one wide rectangle.

My thought is to determine the setting; serge at the cutting line before cutting. Use wide seams (3/4"). Owing to the "silky" fabric, do I sash or pipe the blocks? And what kind of fabric? Cotton? I don't want to detract from the artwork. therefore I would use something plain. I plan to pin, pin and pin when sandwiching the project. I haven't gotten to the thought of FMQ as yet. Guess it will depent upon how the fabric responds to sewing. Another day!

Regarding the artwork. Like I said, it is from first grade to the present. I was absolutely amazed (should say blown away) at the quality of her talent and color choices and shading. The fine painting details are amazing, i.e., the back of the turtle, the lizard, the single flower. And like I said, she is only 8. She has some career ahead of her if she pursues art. Obviously, because it is original art, I cannot share her artwork w/you all.

Any feedback will be appreciated. Let me hear from you all, particularly those with experience in working w/silky fabric. Thank you.

Sounds like a challenge ahead for you. I would suggest stabilizing the fabric with a fusible lightweight interfacing and also reinforcing the block margins before cutting them. I hope this project goes well for you.

Stabilize for certain. I would do that before cutting or sewing any of the blocks. This will prevent the fabric from slipping when sewn and stop the fraying.

if you stabilize each block, you should be able to cut with no problem. add sashing to measure a cer size, say 13 x 13 inches, then put them together. I'd love to see it.( I always would put my pictures on of original blocks. I do a lot of applique.) don't have a working camera right now either. GOod luck

Sounds like an amazing little girl! I hope your quilt raises some great funds for the family.

If you're going to fuse stabilizer to the back of silk or polyester, remember to turn the temperature of the iron down so it won't burn or melt.

Fusing? Will silk take to fusing? I may try to fuse on an edge or corner of one of the block w/wider field.

Also, the grandmother is hiring me to make the wallhanging which she intends to give back to her granddaughter when she turns 13. I will be paid for my efforts which in turn will be given to the church. And, Lynn, the blocks are not mine and will not post someone's work w/o out permission.

That sounds like a great arrangement, and it's good of you to do that.

Silk will definitely fuse. There are low temp fusible out there made just for silk. You could probably use the same on poly. I don't know. I would definitely fuse them. As Onebyone said, it will stop the fraying and make them easier to handle.

silk is a low heat fabric so you will need to be careful of the kind of stabliizer you use with it. I would talk to a LQS (not Joann's or Hobby Lobby). You need more expert advice. You might ask if they can recommend a fiber artist for information since they work with a multitude of fabric and fiber components. Can you purchase a small piece of that same fabric to do a bit of experimenting on? Sounds like a challenge but a great one to be a part of.

Using Yahoo, I searched for
Pellon Fusible for polyester fabric
My thought is that Polyester and Silk are both low heat fabrics, so both will probably use the same type of fusibles.

The Joann link has a pdf that is really good for explaining which fusibles or interfaces work with different fabrics. I couldn't figure out how to make a link to the site, so I kept a copy for myself. Try this in your browser. P012982PellonInterfacingGuide.pdf

Since you say the blocks are generous, make sure you try whatever stabilizer you decide to go with on a sliver of fabric/ or the extreme edge of the block. Maybe she had some extra fabric??
You can use stabilizer on poly and silk. Just need the right one & pay attention to iron temp.

I agree, use a fusible lightweight made specifically for silk or very very lightweight product.

Use a lightweight fusible interfacing to get the fraying under control and make cutting much easier. I've made a few silk projects, stabilizer is truly a must, and really works well.

You don't say what quality the silk is, but considering it will be a wall hanging why not use a beautiful silk for the background and piecing. Jenny and Simon Haskins often use it for their embroidered/or not, quilts, backed by fusible pelon, and they are gorgeous. You can see some on her website.

I recommend a woven interfacing for stabilizer. That is best for stabilizing t shirts for t shirt quilts. Good luck.

Absolutely stabilize before doing anything. Then you have a variety of ways to go. You could sash everything to get uniform shapes and sizes or you could do more of a modern look with having them randomly placed on a background. This would depend on the art and the type of folks bidding on it. Be sure and take lots of pictures for her, yourself and (I'm sure if you asked her and her parents they wouldn't mind) us to see the finished work of art.

My first instinct is to sew the silk blocks to a light preshrunk cotton and stay stitch around the blocks before doing anything else.

I agree with the stabilizer! Your life will be much easier after using that. Adding sashing to make the pieces all the same size is a good way to go, but might be hard with the circle. It can be done tho. I am thinking batiks might be good for your sashings, perhaps in tonals rather than bright prints. You can also applique' the circle to it's backing square rather than trying to set it into the background.

I'm not a Pellon fan but that might be okay. I used Touch of Gold fusible interfacing when I was sewing on silks. It works great. I'd watch taking advice from and retail site. They will naturally steer you to what they sell which may or may not be the best alternative.

Fuse for sure. will make it easier for you to work with and the total project look good. Enjoy the journey!!

Friends, thank you for input and suggestions. I have been required to put the project on the shelf for a time. I will review again when I am able to get back to it. --- Expectedly, yet unexpectedly, my husband of 59 years died on March 1. So, I must attend to other priorities.

My sympathies to you on the death of your husband.

So sorry to hear of your loss. Nothing can prepare us for such a thing, even when we know it's coming. Find comfort in knowing your projects will be there waiting to provide occupation and solace when you are ready to reach for them once again. Hugs and holding you close in my heart during this difficult time.