My brother and sister-in-law’s kids have been very busy giving them grandchildren lately 😊. You may remember that I made my nephew Kevin’s daughter, Roan Mary, a “spider” quilt a few months ago (click here for that post). Well, Kevin’s sister Brianne just had baby #3. Josiah Thomas was born in August and joined his sisters Tessa and Gabby.
While on my last quilt retreat I started a quilt, with him in mind, and got the top done.
I found out his room has a woodland creature theme, so I wanted to add some friends into the quilting. I searched the internet for copyright free woodland critters, enlarged them, and printed them out so I could trace them onto Glad Press n Seal™. Then I was able to stick them in place on the quilt sandwich (moving the pins to the top so they wouldn’t be in the way):
I stitched through the traced patterns,
Removed the plastic with a tweezers,
and was pleased with the results:
I also did some free-motion straight line quilting through the colorful squares using rulerwork:
His initials and some fun woodland foliage were then added. I labeled the quilt at the bottom in quilted words: “Jesus love you – and we do too, Uncle Mike and Aunt Chris”.
Josiah’s quilt is now finished and ready to wrap him in. Can’t wait to meet him!
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And one more thing! I’d like to caption this addition “it’s never too late to finish something beautiful”!
This past week I received an email message from Kate:
“Hi Chris,
Many years ago I took your class on how to draft a Mariners Compass.
It was with the Scrappers Quilt Guild in Williams Bay, WI
I finally finished it.
I enjoy your blogs, thank you for sharing.“
Great job Kate! You’re very welcome.
I hope Kate’s an inspiration to many of you. Remember, those UFOs in the closet are not “unfinished objects” but “ultimately fabulous opportunities”!
Margit Kagerer says
Hi Chris, I have a question about the Glad Press n Seal. Is it an item in the household section in grocery stores? I am not a fan of marking and I use tracing paper. What is the advantage of the Glad product? Do you have any other suggestions for free motion stitching an image without using a marker?
Thank you for sharing your expertise. Margit
clkquilt says
Hi Margit, Yes – it’s available with the plastic wraps in the grocery store. I have a roll in the studio and the kitchen. The big advantage I find over tracing paper is that you can lay it directly against the quilt, over the pins, and the tacky side will stick temporarily. When I stitch up to a pin I can easily tear a hole in the Press n Seal, remove the pin, and continue to sew. A disadvantage is that it’s a bit hard to remove if more than 2 lines of stitching cross in the same spot. But that’s a problem with tracing paper too.
One other comment is to always mark it with a washable marker. I know of someone who marked with a sharpie and the needle transferred the ink to the quilt top in some spots.
" class="comment-author-link" rel="external nofollow" itemprop="url">Elrid Johnson says
I learned to trace embroidery designs with Press and Seal in an online block project. It is an another choice when tracing or lightbox is not an option.
It is another Arrow in my quiver of techniques. Enjoy your posts.
Louise Haddon says
I love press and seal. Discovered it years ago. Stays in my sewing room, has never made it into the kitchen. If you miss removing a few little bits it washes away. Cute quilt.
Margaret says
Have you had any problems with the “Press n Seal” leaving residue on the needle that causes skipped stitches?
I also had that problem when using “Lite Seam-a-Seam” for appliqué … any solutions?
clkquilt says
Now that you mention it – yes I have – and it’s very frustrating. Fortunately this time I had no problems. If I’m remembering correctly it helped to change to a “non-stick” or “teflon” needle. They are a good specialty needle to have on hand.
Jill Carriveau says
Hi Chris, love reading your blog. I have taken several classes with you! What machine do you have to do your top stitching on?
clkquilt says
I do my free motion quilting on an HQ Sweet 16 mid-arm. I love it!
Jan says
Can you tell me what straight line ruler you are using and where I can get it?
clkquilt says
It’s called the Line Tamer by Four Paws Quilting: http://www.fourpawsquilting.com/pages/template.html
Gladys says
Totally different than sewing for Glad Press N Seal:
A great idea for Glad Press N Seal was used after my joint replacement surgeries, (recommended by occupational therapist) is to wrap it around, or cover the surgical site stitches when it can’t get wet in the shower.
clkquilt says
Good to know. Thanks Gladys!
Lori D says
Thank you for the tips on the “press n seal” technique! What fun! Can’t wait to try it!