Flying_V_Goddess

I want to do a quilted wall hanging of the sea map from one of my favorite video games (Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker). Unfortunatly, my copy of the game went missing a while back and I have not found it since so I can't give a very detailed description of the map (hopefully my boyfriend will remember to bring his copy next time he's up so I'll get to work out the details). All I can really tell you is that the actual map part is 7x7 squares, the background (or the color of the "paper") is a goldenrod color but just a tad bit lighter, and it has a thick border going along the right side that has a compass in the lower corner.

Even though I don't completely know what the end result should look like, I've already got a few small problems:

1. All of the islands (maybe with the exception of a few) cannot be pieced together. They're going to have to be appliqued on. I don't know a whole lot about the actual process of applique. I'd preferably like info on machine applique since I probably wouldn't be good at hand applique because my hand sewing skills aren't all that great (my boyfriend can hand sew better than me and it looks like it was done by a five year old, but it at least holds the two pieces of fabric together.)

2. I don't want to go with a solid, goldenrod fabric yet I don't want a fabric with a pattern. Maybe something with a "weathered" look to it. I haven't seen a fabric like that, but maybe you guys might know something I don't and recommend a fabric.

3. I'm debating whether or not I should cross-stitch the names of the islands onto each block or just leave it alone.

4. What do you think would be a good size for a quilted wall hanging? Not extremely huge, but not too small.

BarbC

Maybe this will help with the applique part. This is how I do my machine applique.. it is fairly simple. Barb C.

http://sewing.about.com/od/applique/ss/applique1.htm

zyxquilts

Hi FVG - as to the background fabric color, how about a mottled solid? Like these: http://www.hancocks-paducah.com/ItemList--b-41--a-20--search-marbles--s-1.html

And you could use something like Steam-a-Seam 2 for the islands. It's a fusible web that you would fuse to your 'island' fabric, then position it where you want it. You can keep moving it around until you iron it. You could then stitch around the edges , even use some sort of decorative stitch.

I wouldn't go bigger than 36" X 36".

Have fun with it!! :D

sue

Judy Gail

For the fabric look at the batiks and handdyes. Below is a link for you to look at. I agree with Sue on the size, no bigger than 36 X 36.

Judy

http://www.equilter.com/cgi-bin/webc.cgi/st_main.html

Flying_V_Goddess

I'm not sure if 36x36 would work. Assuming I'm doing my math right, each area on the map (a square each with its own island) would be about 5 inches sqaure. And based on a low-quality picture I did find of the map (that only shows the islands, not the entire map itself), each island would have to fit in an area that's about 1 inch square (if I were to make each island to scale). To me, that'd be next to impossible to applique 1 inch islands (or less with any small islands around it) and I'd loose a lot of detail (a LOT of detail).

Sue, I think you found the perfect fabric. But I'm not sure I want to pay almost 4 dollars a yard for it. Got anything a little bit cheaper? Oh, thanks for the info on the applique, Barb. :)

SandraJennings

Have you thought to use a minimizer to view your fabrics with? In some unusual prints you may be able to discern or infer mtn ranges or lakes. I have found fusible helps to "create" islands, you can blend your several fabrics to mold the islands. Then too.....you could do a series of smaller map portions that show the islands individually... showing off the feature that set each one apart....more maybe but then you could really play with fabric ( the best part)and showcase the islands... just a thought. You could always use fabric pens to write the island names in giving it a little bit of a calligraphic twist like in map designs as well. Would love to see when you finish.

Flying_V_Goddess

Cool idea, Sandra. Unfortunatly, the map doesn't show mountain ranges or lakes (not that there is really any to begin with...the story of the game goes that the gods drowned the land of Hyrule so the islands are basically the tops of the mountains. Can't have a mountain range or a good sized lake at the top of the mountain). So there's really no way I could show off mountain ranges or a feature of the island that sets it apart from the other 48 islands.

Here's what the island looks like on the map (close-up)

SandraJennings

Wow! I see.....still you have a lot of tone on tone to play with. Are you going to follow the diagram? The crinkled map edges will be a fun edging. A perfect flip and stitch opportunity. It looks like quite the adventure. I can't wait to hear the stories behind this journey....I daresay, like the characters you too will have immeasurable conquests and thrills. Keep in touch.

patricej

instead of trying to "copy" the maps, etc, in the quilt ... have you considered doing something that shows what you imagine the "islands" look like? landscape quilts offer all sorts of opportunity for expressing artistic vision. and you could determine size and scale yourself.

Flying_V_Goddess

Patrice, I considered showing my version of the landscapes and such from a sky view, but then I thought "There's 49 islands that are either one big island or a condensed group of several islands". That's putting in a lot of guesswork and that'd be too frustrating based on the fact I've only started quilting. I'm sure I could do it. I just don't want to find myself flinging an appliqued block across the room more times than I'd like to count. Besides, I really don't want a map that you find at the beginning of a Lord of the Rings novel. Something a little more simplified, but still look awesome once its done.

Sandra...at least for the islands, I'm not going to follow the diagram. On the game, they have an outlined shadow look to them and the island is the same color as the paper. For that you could basically embroider the outline of the island in brown thread onto a goldenrod fabric. Instead of that I want to make the islands out of a dark brown fabric and applique them onto the map...basically coloring in the picture I posted. And I'm going to try to get that frayed, slightly torn edge look to the map (like its been handled a lot throughout the years). I'm not sure how to go about it, though. Any suggestions?

Hopefully I'll have a design plan in about a week or two (depending if my boyfriend comes up next weekend and remembers to bring his copy of Wind Waker). Then I can give you guys a clearer idea of what I have in mind.