VW quilt for new grandbaby
 

Trying to finish this. If the picture comes through, I have some questions.

Yay it came through! My question is...since I have applied heat and bond to the cutouts and ironed them to the background, do I need to use some kind of stabilizer behind the cutouts when I satin stitch around them? The VW is 18 inches tall. Also, see that spot on the bumper. The heat and bond didn't stick for some reason and I sprayed a little basting spray and now this happened. I have more fabric so I'm thinking I'll just redo the bumper because I didn't know if that spot would wash out. I posted pictures the other day about my newborn grandson, Asher Jude. The theme of his room is VW's. My son and DIL picked out this design and bought the fabric. I've dragged my feet on making this because I want it to be what they wanted. Any suggestions welcome, but please be nice. I'm very stressed right now and cry easily. The quilt is 36 inches across and 60 inches long. That's what my son drew out for me.
Thanks for any help you can offer
Debbie
Grammie :)

From one Debbie to another, I don't have any answers to your questions. I just wanted to say that I love what you did with the applique! Maybe, if nothing else, you can put a bumper sticker with the baby's name on it to cover the spot you mentioned. And congratulations on having a healthy, beautiful new grandson!

I love your VW bus and I'm sure your DGS will too. I think a bumper sticker sounds like a great idea. I doubt that you need additional stabilizer.

I would use some stabilizer behind your VW applique. I am not sure where you would find it in the US but here I have an iron on paper that I buy from Echidna Products. It is intended as a stabilizer for machine embroidery but I have used it successfully for machine applique. Otherwise there is a paper product called stitch & tear used in heirloom stitching that could be used. Also I believe freezer paper would work. As a last resort you could use a non greasy lunch wrap which I have also used a long time ago. I hope this is helpful.

yes use stablizer tear away or iron on
very cute
Gale

Sulky makes a wash away stabilizer, it's sticky on one side. You stick it to the back, sew around your shape and when you're done making your quilt, wash it and the stabilizer goes away. You can find it pretty easily at on-line stores, or if you do a google search on wash away stabilizer you'll find it at a variety of on-line stores. I get mine through Amazon. There's another company (Pellon I think) that makes a heavy wash away that I've been using as well. That one is also available on-line (I get that one through Amazon as well).

Rob

Bumper sticker for sure. Great idea.

I would certainly use a stabilizer before satin stitching around that absolutely wonderful VW. It will definitely enhance your stitches. Could you do it without the stabilizer because you used Heat and Bond-maybe, but why take the chance? It is better to be safe than sorry.

Very cute! I agree with the bumper sticker idea for the spot.

I would make a small sample of the fabrics and heat and bond to try satin stitching on to determine if you need stabilizer. Much better to mess up scrap fabric than your beautiful quilt top. It will also help you make sure your machine settings (tension, stitch width, stitch length) are right.

Congratulations to your family on the new addition :)

That quilt is the cutest dang thing! The fabric choices are perfect. I would also use a wash away stabilizer, available at big box fabric stores. At JoAnns, check the notions wall for prepackaged pieces or at the sewing machine dealer in the store. Using scraps, make a small practice piece to perfect your stitch width/length selections.

Stabilizer might make it easier to do the satin stitch but I'd be careful of what is used as it could become "stiff" and not as cuddly for the little person. This is such a cute work--congratulations on it and the new baby! Bumper sticker sounds like an excellent idea. Maybe a heart there?? Or could just take it as a bit of patina or a dent in the bumper? At least, it's in the right place for that.

I agree with wash away stabilizer and a bumper sticker. This is so darn cute! Does it have to be a satin stitch? or could you use a blanket stitch? ...... I never can get satin stitches to flow evenly, they clump and then skip....but maybe you have mastered that stitch. congrats....

Cute VW quilt in the works!

Before you stitch ...... you didn't say which Heat N Bond product you have used
One of them, you are NOT to stitch through.
If you still do not have the product info, it is probably best to go to their website and check.

If you do have the stitchable product ....
As for stabilizer or not? .... test on some scraps as to whether you need a stabilizer or not.

One time my dealer suggested to save my money and just use tissue paper for a stabilizer.
What? miss out on a sale? Guess what? .... he was right, it works! and is a good $ $aver.


Another simple stabilizer

I'd re-do the bumper. The design is perfect like it is. I believe the bumper sticker would take away from the overall design.

In my short quilting career, I've not regretted re-doing anything when I wasn't happy with it.

That said, I believe the basting spray will wash away, but why take the chance?

bkay

Your VW bug quilt is so darn cute!

If the quilt is going to be washed, that spot from the basting spray should come out. I've had a few spots from the spray and never had a problem with it not coming out when washing the quilts.

I made a VW pillow for our daughter who owned a VW 1977 bug (front and back) and it was a lot of fun to add details. I added her name on a license plate but the bumper sticker would be a good substitute. It looks great and the satin stitch should be easy on an applique this large. Great job grandma!

You probably won't need stabilizer, but do a sample with scraps first the bumper sticker is a great idea
Do one on the left with babys name and then one on right with birthdate would really be cute
Awesome job

That is just too cute.

Love your top so far! I do a lot of satin stitching and I use unprinted newsprint for my stabilizer, it is easily removed after stitching. You can buy pads of it in dollar stores, but I am using up some larger sheets that were from a moving company. I have a Husqvarna machine and using the correct foot, sometimes the satin stitching is okay without the stabilizer, but then it grabs and bunches and I have to rip out... not fun! So I always use a stabilizer. If you are wanting to use something you already have in the house you can use regular paper as well, but it takes a little more effort to remove. I have used parchment paper and even regular wax paper, I hope you can relax and enjoy the stitching!

First of all Don't cry! Take a deep breath & blow out slowly & repeat a few times. It really does help. I do this a lot! lol Sorry this happened but things like this do. I think the bumper sticker with his name is a cute idea. Or if you want to replace the bumper just heat the piece up with your iron & it will usually peel right off & then you can replace it. Also if you are using a satin stitch or some other tight stitch then I would use a stabilizer. Otherwise you might not have to. Try your stitch on the same type practice sandwich & see if how it works for you. By the way, your quilt top is so cute. You are doing an awesome job!

That quilt is cute and very different.

Instead of a bumper sticker, how about a license plate with his name, in one corner the state or abbreviation of, and in the other top corner month/yr born?? Cute quilt. It just reminded me that years ago I bought some VW fabric with neon colors for the cars and peace signs. Bought it for a quilt for my niece when she got a Bug. I kept the fabric longer than she kept the car, lol. Will have to dig it out and see what I can do with it.

I would use stabilizer and be careful to tear it away after you do your stitching around the edges. I a probably would not use a satin stitch but select a less dense stitch from my machine. You might want to try various stitches on your machine on a scrap before you commit to the project. I love the idea from QM to put a bumper sticker on it.

I did something like that for my son - he has a 1979 VW camper bus they use a lot for camping. Yes use a stabilizer on the back. I like the Pellon tear away stabilizer. The satin stitches will crinkle & pucker the background fabric if you don't use it. And if you're unhappy with the bumper, then yes replace it or you'll never be happy with it whenever you look at it!! It's really cute!!! Good luck & I'm sure your son will love it!!

For the bumper sticker a peace sign, or the word peace.....or " I ❤️ Dogs" etc.

What an adorable quilt! I do lots of machine applique, most often I use the blanket stitch...and I rarely use a stabilizer behind.. unless 1 (or both) of the fabrics happens to be extra thin. Through the years, I've had no problems.
Here's a pic of a vehicle theme quilt I made about 5 years ago, I didn't use any stabilizer.. per the mom of the recipient it's been through several washings, and so far so good.
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Regards,
Kif

Thank you so much everyone for your input. I'm changing the bumper because if I don't, I'll be mad at myself. haha As for doing a blanket stitch, I showed my son and he didn't like it. I have done satin stitch before on various things and they turned out okay. I just know to take it slow and easy.

I will be sure and show you my progress. It might be a few days.

I don't feel like crying anymore thank goodness. I have a wonderful husband who hugs me and spoils me so when I get stressed, he holds me tight and tells me everything will be alright!

I was just thinking that I use this quilting board as my quilting bible. haha When I need an answer for a life situation, I go read my bible. When I need an answer or assurance about my quilting, I come here.

Thanks for being there and always willing to help

Debbie/ Asher Jude's Grammy

So very cute. Another possibility on the bumper is a license plate with either name or birth year.

That quilt top is perfect. The baby will like it and so will his parents.

Very cute quilt, I was going to mention wash away stabilizer also. I love the idea of the bumper sticker, that sounds like fun. Hope you feel less stressed! I see everyone was nice. That is the way I like life....nice!!

Now that would be perfect!!

Cute!! We used to have a VW bus just about that color! Drove it til it absolutely rusted out!

Debbie, it's so cute and is going to be loved, so loved! My dad drove a red VW bug when we were a family of five (3 small girls squished in the back. Fun times in the early 70s! Enjoy the ride of making it!

Hi, Teddybear Lady; I love the VW bus and you did such a wonderful job. Where did you find the pattern. I have a young grandson who would love a quilt like this. The quilt is going to some great grandson, Have a nice day.

I always use no show mesh. You can use either fusible or non fusible it helps to keep your stitches from puckering. No show is thin and does not add bulk.