Well I tried to start the first quilt in the Paths to the Divine Centre series that I am planning. It is proving much more difficult than I anticipated. Below is the design and as you can see it will require a total rethink. I was going to use reverse applique with the fabric for the black line on top as this is the only way I can get enough seam allowance but transferring the design has proved very, very difficult.
Labyrinth design
I tried using my glass desk and a light underneath but it wasn’t really visible enough to see through. I think my paper is too thick. I was going to transfer to to freezer paper but the paper isn’t wide enough to do it in one go. I might have to tape two pieces together transfer to the freezer paper and then try the desk again. I’ll let you know how it goes.
If you’re looking for the Jinny Beyer Give Away? It’s here… You’ve got till Friday Australian time to enter.
Hi Munaiba,
I took a look at Dilys Fronks (Franks?) book. She creates wrought iron gates appliqued on top of an impressionaistic garden. Heres a link to Google books
http://books.google.com/books?id=aBzjFaPCv7UC&dq=garden+gate+quilts&printsec=frontcover&source=in&hl=en&ei=Frb9S8nnAoH98AbogeG8Cw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=15&ved=0CE4Q6AEwDg#v=onepage&q=garden%20gate%20quilts&f=false
(should’ve tiny urled it!)
I’ve seen her demonstrate how she transfers large designs on TV. You might be able to find info at the above link. This is what I remember:
She creates a paper pattern master. I THINK she uses freezer paper for this. She then uses dressmakers carbon. Probably where I learned of this technique.
She lives in the UK where the old fashioned variety of the tracing paper is still available. I’m thinking you just might be able to find it in Australia. Might be worth a search. Would make the process much easier. I know in the USA, the older variety is still available to the garment industry but so far haven’t located an online source.
Doris Thanks so much! What a great book. I’m off to order it now. It has some pattern very similar to what I have planned for later so I’m interested to read about her techniques.
Munaiba
Hi Munaiba,
I just did a search & found this paper recommended.
http://www.saralpaper.com/products.html
Apparently it will do a clear, smudge free, tracing, unlike that awful stuff coated with chalk which smears & covers you with chalk dust.
Hi Doris
I checked out the Saral but it’s almost $30 a roll here + shipping. I have the chalk paper and may try that.
Munaiba
You’re probably tired of hearing from me BUT I’ve thought of something that just might work AND you won’t need to look for specialized materials.
Background: A very old way to transfer an embroidery pattern to fabric is to use tissue paper. The design was traced on to tissue paper which is nearly transparent so no light box was needed. Probably wasn’t invented yet. Then the pattern was basted through the tissue paper & background fabric. Then torn away or sometimes soaked away in water.
Sounds a lot like back basting?
What if you combined this method with back basting? Layer the background & applique fabric. Then placed a tissue paper tracing on the wrong side & back basted right through the tissue paper? Any kind of light weight gift wrapping paper could be used.
Now that I’m thinking of this. I seem to remember reading online about doing back basting in the very same way except instead of paper Press n Seal was used. I think I tried this on my BAQ border but I couldn’t see the lines because my fabric is dark & Press n Seal is transparent. Didn’t think of using tracing paper.
You know what Doris? That’s a brilliant idea and what’s more I have a roll of – not tissue paper – but a soft sort of sandwich wrap clearish paper which I use sometimes for tracing. I could use that.
I also bought some tear-away in case I decide to applique it by machine and then I can just sew directly on it.
I also have the Press and Seal that Annette so kindly sent me but as my fabric is dark I don’t think that will work. I think I’ll try the soft tracing paper.
Thanks for all your wonderful suggestions.
Munaiba
Hi Munaiba,
I’m happy you found something useful in all those messages! I confess I do have a little bit of an ulterior motive. I wasn’t entirely pleased with how I managed that BAQ border. Slightly different but related problem–mine was accurately placing the elements on a dark background. I still have 3 to do so…
Please share how things work out.
BTW After I posted about the Saral I learned that it will tranfer pressure points–think fingers & hand maybe while tracing. The Saral corporation offers free samples by sending them an SAS. I’m going to try to remember to take them up on the offer.
Oh, one thing I did figure out but not in time, which might apply if the paper you’re using is transparent enough to loose the markings when on the dark fabric, use a silver pen. I use a Sakura Gelly Pen in metallic silver, shows up well. It’s permanent so be careful.
Doris
Doris
Hi Doris
I’m in the middle of an experiment with “grease-proof” paper. It’s used for wrapping sandwiches and is a bit thicker than tissue paper but thinner than tracing paper. It wasn’t wide enough so I sewed two pieces together using the largest stitch on my machine. I’ll try to take photos and explain the process I’m using on my blog tomorrow.
Thanks for all your help.
Munaiba
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