Stained Glass Quilts

fabrics that have a mottled look--batiks, hand dyes or similar
freezer paper
can of adhesive
fusible webbing
iron

Steps:

1. Trace a design onto the dull side of freezer paper with no seam allowance ( figure A).

2. Cut out each piece right on the drawn line (figure B).

4. Cut fabric even with freezer paper (figure D).

Figure C

Figure D

6. To secure pattern to background, you may use spray adhesive or baste the pieces in place, pin them down or use scrap pieces of a fusible webbing.

7. Make bias strips by cutting one-inch wide strips cut on the bias (fast way to turn raw edges is place straight pin in ironing board with a 1/4-inch space). Draw the bias through and press. If you don't want to make your own, buy ready-made bias with a fusible webbing on one side.

8. Lay down one strip at a time, making sure there is a little extra at the beginning and end. This will be trimmed to the same angle as the design (figure F).

Figure E

Figure F

Sewing machine "leading" techniques

Blind hem stitch is often used in machine applique to resemble stained glass leading. Paired with clear nylon thread, it closely resembles a hand applique stitch composed of several straight stitches followed by a "grabber stitch" (one stitch that goes to the side and stitches down the bias strip). To achieve this, set stitch length to 1and width to 1.5.

If your sewing machine is pre-programmed, use a zigzag stitch (figure G). Zig on background and zag on bias strip to catch edge. Set stitch length to 2 and width to 1.5.

Using a twin needle is fast, but it won't go around a 45-degree turn or a tight circle. If you decide to use a twin needle, both spools could be either clear invisible thread or a fine black thread such as silk (figure H).

Figure G

Figure H

One very effective option for miniatures is the machine satin stitch. Set stitch width between 3 and 3.5 and length set slightly above zero. Satin stitch in numbered sequence so that loose threads don't come up.

In miniature piece, it's a good idea to cut out the whole design from variegated fabric rather than cutting a bunch of little pieces. Mark where the black leading lines would be and satin stitch all over those drawn lines.

Tip: Before using any of these suggested methods, it is a good idea to make samples—write down the stitch length and width on samples so when it's time to applique the actual quilt pieces, you'll be ready to go.