Grandmother's Fan Advice
11-19-2023, 05:50 AM
#21
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Greater Peoria, IL -- just moved!
Posts: 6,060
Seems like an appropriate time to post this again. Not quilted yet but my November/Thanksgiving quilt top.
I used the John Flynn acrylic templates for 2 projects. It is a 10" square finished block size. Then of I used what I call the Eleanor Burns methog using 1/2" rickrack for the curves, both for the fan blades and the pies. On the top side of the fabric you sew rickrack along your 1/4" seam allowance, I chose basic white. The rickrack is already bias and so you use it to help turn the curves. Then you stitch it down to the foundation block, first the fan blades, and then the pie piece. The rickrack will then add a textural element. Clear as mud, eh? LOL here's link to a video by Eleanor, the rickrack part starts around 18 minutes in.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ktzb2wMMwzc
So here's two very different quilts using the same template and fan technique. The turkey quilt will be for me when finished. The Michigan quilt was for my husband's aunt who is a big Blue/Wolverines fan (fan quilt for a fan)
I used the John Flynn acrylic templates for 2 projects. It is a 10" square finished block size. Then of I used what I call the Eleanor Burns methog using 1/2" rickrack for the curves, both for the fan blades and the pies. On the top side of the fabric you sew rickrack along your 1/4" seam allowance, I chose basic white. The rickrack is already bias and so you use it to help turn the curves. Then you stitch it down to the foundation block, first the fan blades, and then the pie piece. The rickrack will then add a textural element. Clear as mud, eh? LOL here's link to a video by Eleanor, the rickrack part starts around 18 minutes in.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ktzb2wMMwzc
So here's two very different quilts using the same template and fan technique. The turkey quilt will be for me when finished. The Michigan quilt was for my husband's aunt who is a big Blue/Wolverines fan (fan quilt for a fan)
11-19-2023, 07:50 AM
#23
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Greater Peoria, IL -- just moved!
Posts: 6,060
Years ago I made my first Grandmother's Fan the traditional way with set-in arcs. It was ok and within my skill set but using the Eleanor Burns method took hours and a bunch of stress off of me. In terms of technique for the traditional one I set in the arcs into an L piece, putting the pie into the fan blades first.
The Eleanor Burns method is more the "partial" applique and I cut squares for the background. But then I went back and trimmed out the double layer of fabric once the fan pieces were put in. You don't have to do that but it is an option. It was really not hard at all, maybe not something I would suggest for a beginner but with medium skills and templates it is certainly doable.
Here's a link for the template:
https://www.flynnquilt.com/shop/Acry...-x18848031.htm
I was very happy with the templates, especially cutting so many different fan blades. The Turkey project were charms -- that is each one was different. The Michigan one had multiples. The template kit is designed for set-in arcs and contains the L, the Fan Blade and the pie piece.
And here's pictures of the rickrack in progress. I found buying rounds at Hobby Lobby to be the best deal -- especially on sale!
The Eleanor Burns method is more the "partial" applique and I cut squares for the background. But then I went back and trimmed out the double layer of fabric once the fan pieces were put in. You don't have to do that but it is an option. It was really not hard at all, maybe not something I would suggest for a beginner but with medium skills and templates it is certainly doable.
Here's a link for the template:
https://www.flynnquilt.com/shop/Acry...-x18848031.htm
I was very happy with the templates, especially cutting so many different fan blades. The Turkey project were charms -- that is each one was different. The Michigan one had multiples. The template kit is designed for set-in arcs and contains the L, the Fan Blade and the pie piece.
And here's pictures of the rickrack in progress. I found buying rounds at Hobby Lobby to be the best deal -- especially on sale!
Last edited by Iceblossom; 11-19-2023 at 08:09 AM. Reason: added info about templates
11-19-2023, 03:14 PM
#24
Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Southern NY/Western TX
Posts: 53
The tricky part is sewing the curves. I recently saw a u-tube video using tiny dots of Elmers glue, used within the 1/4" seam, then ironed dry instead of pinning. It looked easy. pieces secured no pins in the way.
11-20-2023, 06:08 AM
#25
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 2,821
Originally Posted by quiltsfor
I found one with the different sizes (10/8/6) on Amazon, called Crazy Fan Templates, but the third party has not so good ratings. So, definitely a no there for me. I don't want to chance it.
bkay
11-25-2023, 07:37 PM
#27
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: I live in Vero Beach, Florida but am originally from Massachusetts.
Posts: 146
Omnigrid makes a wedge ruler. Has lines for 9,10,18,22.5,36 and 45 degree angles. When I decided to do a Dresden style quilt I was thrilled to find this ruler. It is 6x24” and so much less expensive than buying a bunch of different fans.
I have only made one Grandmother’s fan quilt way back when Bethany Renolds(?sp) came out with the original Stack-n-whack book. I made the fans and appliquéd them to a block. Pretty heavy quilt but so much fun. I used a decorative stitch (Greek key) to stitch them down, it was the first for me quilt that I made.
I have only made one Grandmother’s fan quilt way back when Bethany Renolds(?sp) came out with the original Stack-n-whack book. I made the fans and appliquéd them to a block. Pretty heavy quilt but so much fun. I used a decorative stitch (Greek key) to stitch them down, it was the first for me quilt that I made.
