African Mask Quilts

Unleash your creativity by making a one-of-a-kind mask quilt using ultra suede on a pieced or whole cloth background. Use a sewing machine to "carve" features with an array of decorative stitches and brightly colored thread.

Materials:

12-inch square or larger piece of ultra suede
four to 10 fat quarters of 100-percent cotton fabrics (rainbow, bright tone-on-tone, hand-dyed or marbled)
1/2 yard of fabric for borders (dark color to frame the mask)
1/2 yard of fabric for backing
batting
two to three spools of Rayon thread in colors that will show up on the ultra suede (add some metallic or glitter if desired)
thread to match ultra suede (to satin stitch background)
one sheet of Steam-a-Seam 2 double-sided fusible
one package of machine needles - denim or Microtex sharps
scissors, marking pencil/tailors chalk, rotary cutter, ruler and mat
sewing machine with zigzag or several decorative stitches
open toe embroidery foot
darning foot (for free motion quilting)
1/4-inch foot

Steps:

1. Decide on the shape (oval, round, hexagon etc.) and size of the mask--about eight-inches overall (figure A).

2. Select a color for the mask from ultra suede (figure B).

3. Choose a background "type" (either pieced or whole cloth) (figure C).

4. Draw mask outline onto paper side of fusible web (figure D).

5. Cut out mask shape from fusible web leaving about a 1/2-inch margin.

6. Remove backing paper from fusible web and position drawing on ultra suede ( figure E).

7. Iron fusible web onto ultra suede using a non-stick pressing sheet following manufacturer instructions.

8. Cut out the mask shape on the drawn line and lay aside.

9. Prepare background by piecing 2-1/2" x 10" inch strips cut from six different colored, cotton fat quarters or use one of the hand-dyed or marbled fabric cut to approximately 10" x 12".

10. Find the center of the background fabric by measuring through the center vertically and horizontally.

11. Place the mask in the center of your background and iron in place using non-stick press cloth (figure F).

12. Place a sheet of stabilizer on the back of the quilt top and iron in place following manufacturer instructions.

13. Use a chalk marker or tailors chalk to mark the areas for decorative stitches. Tip: Mark the eyes, nose and mouth area first (figure G).

14. Select the stitches for the major areas and jot them down.

15. Test the stitches on a scrap of ultra suede and make any size adjustments (figure H).

16. Begin adding stitches to the mask. More is better!

17. When the facial features are complete, add decorative stitches to the top of the mask to imitate a headdress and around the edges to imitate carving (figure I).

18. Remove the stabilizer from the back of your quilt top.

19. Add a 1-1/2-inch inner border on all sides to frame the creation (figure J).

20. Add a three- to four-inch border of a contrasting or coordinating fabric to all sides of the quilt (figure K).

21. Layer the top, batting and backing, then baste and quilt. Echo the design or add some free motion stippling with decorative thread. Embellish with beads if desired (figure L).

22. Add a label to further personalize the quilt complete with the name your creation.