DIRECTIONS
- Layer the fabrics and batting into
a quilt sandwich. Baste them
together, if desired. I do not baste
the sandwich, however—I’m
comfortable working with this size
unbasted.
NOTE: These instructions are for
creating one Non-Stop Face quilt on a
domestic sewing machine. You might
want to start with a stack of fabrics
layered and ready for practicing the
technique—they’re lots of fun to make!
- Set up your sewing machine for
free-motion quilting. Take a deep
breath, and then start ‘drawing’ a
face with the machine. Continue
from one feature to another without
stopping to tie off the thread. Try to
continue without stopping to think,
just keep sewing. Watch where
you’re stitching, however, and keep
your fi ngers out of the way of the
sewing needle.
NOTE: The results will be unusual and
charming. Or maybe you don’t love it.
Fear not, if you aren’t pleased, you may
like it better once color is added.
- Using a brayer, apply a very thin
layer of acrylic or fabric paint to the
surface of the quilt. Use a light hand
and do not press the brayer down
too hard. The stitches will still show,
as they are in the ‘valleys’ and will
not receive the paint that is on the
‘hills’ of the quilt sandwich. - When the paint dries, you can add
details with oil sticks or paint in
specifi c shapes with acrylic paints
and a brush. Add beads or other
embellishments, as desired. - Finish the quilt by facing or
binding.
Tips for Creating Your
Own Non-Stop Faces- Use scrap or inexpensive fabrics (muslin or old sheets) to reduce
stress about ‘messing up.’ - Know that you can do this. It actually works best if you don’t plan
ahead and just go for it. - Start anywhere. An eye, the hair, the neck. Where you start doesn’t
matter. - Once complete, turn the face quilt over—sometimes I like the ‘back’
better than the ‘front.’ - Don’t give up on faces that you’re disappointed with. When you
begin adding paint, they get more likeable! - Paint one side or both sides. You may prefer one side over the other
after adding color. - Paint over lines or shapes that are unwanted, and use paint to add
any missing details. - Use bold colors for some elements—rosy cheeks, lips, or eye ‘make-
up,’ for example. Use oil sticks to add contour and shading or other
more subtle element.
Be forewarned: Th ese are addictive!