Much needed advice
 

I found this really cute snow globe pattern for a quilt on www.fatcatpatterns.com. It would be a perfect gift for my granddaughter because she collects snow globes. I'm going to machine applique the snowglobes. To make it more realistic, I would like to put clear plastic over the picture itself: would that be advisable since it will be washed time and time again. Do you think the plastic would hold moisture behind it after its washed and dried?

quilt pattern not at link, but i think i know what it would look like. I'm sure the plastic would not only do that, but it would have to line dry, as the plastic will get too warm, too fast to put in dryer. In addition the washer would rip them up eventually. As I see it, you have two options...make the 'globe' two sided with the fussy cuts inside and make the globes snap/velcro onto quilt so they can be removed for washing. OR.... make your 'globe' from the palest translucent organdy or pale colored wedding tulle (I would probably use a selection of pastels) you can find. the organdy is tougher but the tulle is more translucent. good luck, hope you find a solution...

I doubt sleeping on the quilt would be comfortable with plastic on it. I think that if it is going to be a wall quilt, then plastic would be fine, but not one that will be washed over and over again. I think the plastic would start getting a scratched look to it and end up marring the overall beauty of the quilt.

I recommend against using the plastic for the reasons that have already been given. I think you can get a good snow globe effect with just having the pattern pieces cut to the correct shapes. :-)

Check out this site - http://sunshowerquilts.blogspot.com/...ilt-block.html
She has made a snow globe block and put vinyl on it, but it's not clear whether it's for a quilt or a wall hanging. You might contact her and ask. I remember seeing a quilt somewhere that did have something covering the globes, but now I can't remember what it was.

I wouldn't use plastic. I think it would disintegrate over time. The applique should stand up, I would think. By the way, I love that design. Good luck and be sure to post pictures. For those of you that read this post, here is the direct website of the snowglobe that skruker is going to make.
http://www.fatcatpatterns.com/PDFs/2010_snowglobes.pdf

I agree that the plastic may not be the best choice. If you want to add a dimensional quality, then the organdy or tulle idea sounds great.

Pat

you might could use mylar, I know some embroidery designs that are coming out now. do a utube search for embroidery or mylar and check it out. Mylar comes in different colors, but I think you would have to be gentle about washing any thing with mylar. I know there is a iron on vinyl. but I think that would probably be to stiff. try a sample and then wash it and see how it works. good luck let me know how it turns out for you.

how about just a dusting of fabric glitter to give the impression of the globe? I'm kinda leery about the plastic.

I would use vinyl in preference to plastic and make sure you line dry it nd it should work OK.