Even the cosiest of quilts still lies relatively flat on a
bed or sofa. But they don’t have to! You can give your
quilts a 3D effect with puff quilting – where you stuff
your patchwork with extra batting for a textured
effect. Puff quilts are a popular choice with quilters
wanting a soft playmat for babies. Stuff generously to
ensure your quilt doesn’t flatten over time and opt for
a lightweight polyester batting to stop the quilt from
getting too heavy.
Or why not use your patchwork skills to make
stuffed 3D shapes? Stitched toys like these sweet
dogs by Jo Carter from issue 8 of Love Patchwork &
Quilting are ideal for using up scraps from your stash.
They’re fun to sew and they make great gifts, too!TRY 3D EFFECTS!
Give your quilt edges some TLC with a few fancy
fabric-piecing details. Perhaps the simplest way to
dress up your borders is by adding cornerstones, but
there are plenty of other techniques to try. For a stripe
effect, strip piece four lengths of fabric to make up
your border, or set blocks on point to frame your
design with diamonds. Rows of Flying Geese or
Half-square Triangles look really striking too! Detailed
borders don’t have to play second fiddle to the centre- they can be a main part of the design. Why not opt
for a simple central panel, with intricate shapes
surrounding it? We love this sweet air mail-style
border by Susi Bellingham from issue 58 of Love
Patchwork & Quilting magazine.
IN THE FRAME
This Japanese embroidery is a
perfect way to quilt if you want to
make your stitches the star of the
show. As you quilt, simply sew a
series of short running stitches in a
thick or contrasting thread to create
ornate shapes. It look really great
on dark fabrics such as denim!FURTHER READING...
Discover new techniques and
exclusive projects each month with
our sister magazine titles Love
Patchwork & Quilting (lovepatch
workandquilting.com) and Today’s
Quilter (todaysquilter.com).SASHIKO
STITCHING