Photo Quilt

All About

Product Ideas

Materials:
book: Simply Amazing Quilted Photography by Tammie Bowser
eight light solid or printed fabrics
eight medium solid or printed fabrics
eight dark solid or printed fabrics
(See chart below for necessary fabric quantities)
rotary cutter
mat
wide ruler with a handle and a lip on the edge
small scissors
iron
ironing board
neutral colored thread
plastic organizer from hardware store - optional
peep hole from hardware store - optional
60-inch wide preprinted fusible interfacing: to make 1-1/2 yards for one-inch squares; two yards for 1-1/2-inch squares; 2-1/2 yards for 2-inch squares
fabric – select square size then follow yardage chart below

Figure A

Steps:

Choose 24 cotton (printed or solid) fabrics. Select eight light, eight medium and eight dark fabrics. If you are using printed fabrics, select small to medium scale prints only. See the chart above for the fabric quantities.
Cut fabrics into squares using your rotary cutter and mat. If using one-inch squares the finished quilt size is 12" x 20"; for 1-1/2-inch squares the finished quilt size is 24" x 40"; for two-inch squares the finished quilt size is 36" x 60".
Select one square from each of the 24 fabrics and tape the swatches to a plain sheet of paper. Use more than one sheet of paper if necessary. Number each of the fabrics (figure A).

Figure C

Make a black and white copy of the fabric swatches on a photocopy machine (figure B). The black and white photocopy allows you to see the color value of your fabrics and acts as a visual aid. Cut the copies of each fabric apart (be sure to include the number assigned to it). Arrange the copied swatches in order from light to dark. Arrange the actual fabric squares in order from light to dark utilizing the numbers on the copied swatches (1 being the lightest and 24 the darkest (figure C).

Figure D

Place fabric squares in a plastic hardware organizer (figure D) to keep swatches in order. Number each of the 24 compartments of the organizer with a permanent marker.

Figure E

Place printed interfacing on a work surface. Make sure that the adhesive side of the interfacing is facing up. Follow the numbered pattern to place the fabrics in the appropriate positions on the interfacing grid. Either work from the printed pattern or transfer the numbers to the interfacing with an ink pen (figure E).

Figure F

After all of the fabric squares are in place, carefully press them in place with an iron (figure F). Be sure to read the interfacing instructions for the proper iron temperature.

Once all of the fabric squares have been pressed in place, begin stitching the first row of squares. Fold along the edge of the first row, and stitch with a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Continue across the whole unit until the whole quilt top is stitched in one direction. Carefully press the quilt top.

Clip all of the intersections of the seam allowance with a small, sharp pair of scissors.

Figure G

Stitch the remaining seams with a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Stagger the seams (figure G) to reduce the bulk, and to assure that all of your intersections are matching. Continue stitching across the quilt until it is complete.

Add binding and machine quilt or stretch over a canvas.

Resources

Guests
- Tammie Bowser
  Quiltmaker and Author
  Mosaic Quilt Studio / Bowser Publications
  917 Fremont Ave.
  PMB 138
  South Pasadena, CA 91030-9998
  Phone: 626-799-5998
  Website: www.MosaicQuilt.com