 |
Categories |
 |
|
|
|
 |
Quick Find |
|
|
|
Information |
|
|
|
| Frequently Asked Questions |
 |
|
|
Why is the kit for the banners so expensive?
Quilt fabric is expensive - it is as simple as that. There are almost 20 yards of fabric in this kit. The kits are very labor intensive to assemble. There are 150 different colors in the kit. The banner patterns average 150 pieces. I try not to repeat colors in the banners and that is why they are so varied and beautiful. The brilliant colors are why we all love these banners. Most quilt shops will carry only a few pieces appropriate for this project. It took me 3 years to find this palette of colors before I could complete the first banner. I now offer these color palette packages to save you the time it took me to find them all.
Don't you have a kit for just one banner?
The fabrics are cut as fat eighths. That is half the size of what most quilt shops are willing to cut for you. Nearly all quilt shops refuse to cut anything smaller than a quarter yard or fat quarter. This kit has been cut in half for your convenience.
The only kit we carry for just one banners' construction is the kit for the Freedom banner. This pattern calls for just 6 different colors.
How much black bias tape do I need for one banner?
The pattern assumes you will make your own bias tape and in the seven years I've been teaching the class for these banners, no two people use the same amount of bias tape. You will most likely need between 15 and 20 yards of 1/4" bias tape.
I don't know where to begin#this seems overwhelming...HELP!?!
Don't be afraid. This is the simplest method available for stained glass quilting. Think of it as one big jigsaw puzzle. Read the instructions. Do step one and only then move on to step two. One step at a time, and in the order they are listed.
In the banner instructions, I don't understand the part about layering the black backing, the batting and the muslin - then cut through all the layers at once, -what?
I try to word the instructions so you will understand exactly what I mean. I blew it here. When you layer these three items, you are cutting around the perimeter of the banner only, just the outside edge, adding approximately 1/2" seam allowance to the outside edge. This is the only place you will have seam allowance.
I can't get my colors to look like the picture. What am I doing wrong?
First, be sure to read your instructions carefully. Plan your color layout. You must choose your point-of-light and begin laying out the color from that place. Imagine how the sun looks coming through a real stained glass window. The sun is brightest in one spot. Always work from light to dark.
Second, your fabric kit for the banners arrives as a giant color wheel. The colors are already in order from light to dark around the color wheel. It is best to take apart the roll of fabrics one color section at a time, leaving the colors in the order they came, but separated so you can conveniently use them.
Wouldn't it be faster to use a double needle when I stitch down the black bias tape?
The problem with a double needle is that you will snap off one of them as you sew around curves. A double needle is made for straight stitching or very gradual curves.
I have seen white woven fusible interfacing at the fabric store. Wouldn't it be easier to buy some of that to use instead of ironing fusible webbing to the muslin?
Yes it would! This will eliminate a step entirely and will save $$$ if you don't have to purchase fusible webbing separately. Years ago when I wrote this pattern, this item was not available, fusible Pellon was your only option. The Pellon would not have been recommended because the added stiffness is not necessary for this project. Fusing everything down so it does not move out of place is necessary, therefore, white woven fusible interfacing would be acceptable.
Do I have to use batting in the banners?
No. Personally, I wanted the banners to have that cushy, "quilt-y" look. The batting is for that purpose only. Don't bother to add the batting if you do not want to.
|
|
|
|
|
|
