Embroider a Cyanotype Quilt Block

Materials and Tools:

digital image (William Morris or other pattern)
computer with photo program and printer
transparency paper
sun blocks (cyanotype fabric)
UV light
piece of glass
fabric paint and paintbrushes
colored pencils
thread, embroidery floss, needles
pins
beads
embroidery hoop
border fabric
muslin backing
intermediate backing fabric
polyester stuffing
batting
sewing machine
craft knife
scissors
tweezers
wood frame
staple gun
rotary cutter and cutting mat
straight edge

Step 3

1. Manipulate a digital image in a photo program on the computer and invert the colors to create a negative. Print the negative on transparency paper for an 8" x 8" square.

2. Place the transparency over the cyanotype fabric and place a piece of glass on top.

Steps 4-7

3. Using a UV light box (or sunlight), expose the transparency image onto the cyanotype fabric for 15 minutes.

4. Rinse the fabric out and allow it to dry. Iron the fabric.

5. Choose three fabrics for the borders. Contrasting patterns with similar color schemes work well. Cut borders with a rotary cutter and mat: Cut two 18" x 4-1/2" border lengths (long). Cut two 9" x 4-1/2" border lengths (medium). Cut four 1-/2" x 8" border lengths (small).

Steps 8-9

6. Using the cyanotype image and the colors of the fabric, draw the image on a piece of paper and do a study (analysis) of the color scheme using colored pencils. Trace and transfer the image for the drawing.

7. Once the study is done choose colors and start the fabric painting. Paint should be watered down and used thinly, almost like a watercolor. Build up thin layers rather than applying one thick layer.

Steps 10-11

8. Gather borders, batting and an intermediate backing material together.

9. Layer the intermediate backing, batting and cyanotype and small borders. Tuck a seam allowance of 1/4 inch before sewing. Sew the pieces together. Sew the medium and large borders to this piece using the same seam allowance.

10. Choose areas to quilt, trapunto, bead and embroider.

Step 14

11. Place the design in an embroidery hoop to keep the fabric taut while hand quilting around the shapes with a running stitch and thread. Choose a thread that blends in with the background.

12. From the intermediate backing, use small scissors (or a craft knife) to carefully cut small areas open that will be stuffed (trapunto). These areas are the ones inside the spaces that were quilted.

Step 15

13. Fill the hole with stuffing using tweezers and hand sew the back to close.

14. Embroider beads in designated areas.

Steps 17-18

15. Using backing fabric, fold under the quilt face for a seam allowance and sew to the backing fabric.

16. Stretch the cyanotype quilt block over a wood frame and staple it to the back.

Website: www.pixleyart.com