Fading Florals: Mini Quilt #28

August 28, 2015

This week I am taking a slightly different approach to a whole cloth quilt.Fading Floral

When I came across this fabric, it seemed to call out for some sort of fun fabric modification.Floral fabric

I have done some different fabric painting and dying techniques over the years, but I hadn’t had the right project to try this one on before.  In this process color is added to fabric using Sharpie markers.  Using a paintbrush dipped in rubbing alcohol, you paint over the colored areas to create a watercolor effect.Fading Floral detail

The quilting is a free motion design that follows the printed design on the fabric.  The design blends into the front, but stands out nicely against the solid white backing fabric.Fading Floral back view

Quilt Stats

Title:  Fading Florals

Size: 14-1/2″ x  14-1/2″

Techniques:  Wholecloth quilt, Rubbing Alcohol/Sharpie fabric modification

Quilting:  Freemotion quilting following the printed pattern of the fabric

Fabric:  “Bellisimo” designed for Benartex by Michele D’Amore Designs, white Kona Cotton backing, black American Brand Solid binding

Batting:  Warm and White Cotton Batting

Thread:  Quilted with Black cotton machine quilting thread

Binding:  Black cotton, cut in 2″ wide strips on the bias, machine stitched to the front, hand stitched to the back

What was new?

Sharpie/Rubbing Alcohol fabric modification

Using a pre-printed fabric to determine the free motion quilting design

Quilt 28 / 50

Quilt 28 / 50

Goal #5 is finished!

Goal #5 is finished!

7 Comments

  • Reply
    Yvonne @ Quilting Jetgirl
    August 28, 2015 at 7:35 pm

    Did you do the coloring before the quilting (I assume yes, but just making sure I understand…)?

  • Reply
    Jenny
    August 29, 2015 at 4:07 am

    What an interesting idea. I had not heard of rubbing alcohol but it is very effective with the sharpies. Your minis are always a breath of fresh air and have some new approach as well as being beautiful.

  • Reply
    Cindy
    August 29, 2015 at 8:24 am

    I like this effect and may have to give it a try.

  • Reply
    Marva
    August 29, 2015 at 8:48 am

    Striking! The black quilting on the white Kona cotton mimics the original fabric perfectly! And the sharpie/ alcohol technique looks like fun!

  • Reply
    Shirley Woods
    August 29, 2015 at 9:48 am

    Love your mini ideas. You’ve given me lots of food for thought as I belong to an art quilt group that generally has several small challenges.
    This whole cloth quilt is especially stimulating to me.
    Keep it up!

  • Reply
    Rochelle
    August 30, 2015 at 1:16 am

    I’ll have to give that a try. I’ve heard of it before. Did you heat set the fabric after you used the alcohol?

  • Reply
    Leanne
    October 18, 2015 at 6:54 pm

    Lovely, and it looks like fun too!
    I’m visiting as a member of the official 2015 Finish-Along cheerleading squad.

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