Creativity, Patience, Vision, and Love, but No Skills

by Laura
(Columbia, MD)

I want to make a quilt of sorts for my niece, but I don't know how. This is my plan/vision and my hope is that perhaps with your expertise you could give me some basic patterns or fabric ideas that may help me execute my idea.

The Vision. I would like to take a solid piece of medium weight cotton fabric or cotton and wool blend and create a fantasy scene with flowers, clouds, etc. I have a general design and I plan to cut all the shapes out of felt, then pin them into place. Then I'll sew them on by hand or machine. Next, I would like to attach some sort of backing to the piece to make it more of a blanket or 'quilt' for her bed.

Do you have suggestions or ideas as to how to create this since it isn't a quilt? But, I do want to attach a backing to give it more substance. Any help/advice/guidance you can offer would be greatly appreciated. Sincerly, Laura

ANSWER

There are a couple ways to handle this. See illustration below:

Quick Turn Method
Sew a layer of felt, wool or medium weight cotton fabric to the back of your project. First, place the top and backing right sides together. Next, sew 1/4" to 1/2" seam around the edges. Leave about 2 inches open, so you can turn the project right side out. Then secure the opening by hand stitching the edges together. Press edges. Quilt around your shapes as desired, or leave as is.
Finished Edges Method
Place your top and backing pieces with wrong sides together. Keep edges even. Quilt around shapes as desired, or leave as is. Serge, zigzag or overcast around all four edges of project.