This month’s free motion quilting expert, Don Linn has provided an excellent tutorial on making quilting stencils. His technique involves an embroidery hoop, fine tulle fabric and permanent markers to create the stencil. He suggests using a wooden hoop, but I didn’t have one and my local sewing store only had the plastic variety. I purchased one and found that the plastic hoop held the tulle just fine. After I made the stencil I transferred the design to my practice quilt block using a green chalk pencil. Overall, I’m pleased with this new technique.
After I did the practice exercise using the design Don provided, I made a small flower stencil for the quilt I’m currently working on. This time I used two pieces of cereal box cardboard and cut a 4-1/2" square window opening in the center using an exacto knife. Then I stretched the tulle over one piece of cardboard and taped it in place with painter’s tape to secure it while I added the second piece of cardboard, sandwiching the tulle in the middle, and then stapled the cardboard together. I had intended on using glue to hold the cardboard pieces together, but my glue was all dried up. The end product is a small stencil that I plan on storing in a notebook for future use.
Be sure to go check out Don’s tutorial at SewGalCal blog.
Thanks for stopping by and Happy Sewing!!!
Diane - your quilting looks wonderful. I found a hoop in my 'stuff' but was wondering what I could do instead. Using cardboard is a great idea. ~Jeanne
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments. The hoop works good for larger designs and the cardboard form for smaller ones. This was only a test and it took a little work to get the tulle tight and secure. I was just trying to come up with a way to keep the designs for future use. I'm not sure how to store the larger design after I remove it from the hoop. I'm open for suggestions.
DeleteI'm wondering the same thing. I took the design out of my hoop and I tried putting it back in the hoop and I don't think it is the same size. ~Jeanne
ReplyDeleteJeanne, I suspected there could be some distortion in the design once it is removed from the hoop. Thanks for your input and please let me know if you come up with a solution.
DeleteGreat idea with the smaller design and saving it for later. Love that. Good job with the quilting too!
ReplyDeleteYour idea to make a cardboard frame that keeps the tulle permanently is place is brilliant! You are a genius Diane!!! I don't own a wooden quilting hoop, so I used the large plastic embroidery hoop from my Pfaff Creative 2 sewing machine. I haven't taken the tulle off it. Maybe with Don's way the tulle is disposed of after one use. Your small stencil flower is gorgeous! Have a super duper day.
ReplyDeleteThe cardboard frame is a great idea. I didn't exactly have any tulle but had some netting and it works for this technique. Less stretchy than tulle. I can save the designs by just folding them and putting them in a baggy. I think that will work. Your quilting came out great.
ReplyDeleteYour design idea is lovely! Saving it for future use is an excellent idea - wouldn't it be fun to sit and make some up for future use on a rainy day?
ReplyDeleteLove your idea with the tulle and cardboard. I think I'm going to give that a try!!! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeletenice quilting! I love your idea using a cardboard frame to keep the design permanently. Once I finish transferring the current design, I'll see about making a frame for it, but I'll wait, as I don't want it to be distorted.
ReplyDeleteGreat work and great initiative with your worktools!
ReplyDelete