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"Quailt" Tutorial

Emily Taylor | 12 December, 2017 | 16 Comments

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This brief tutorial will explain the method that I used to create my "Quailt". In this tutorial I use the full size pattern (44" x 52"). You can also download the free PDF version which will make a 25" x 30" quilt. Download it by clicking here: FREE PATTERN

1. I began by creating a gray-tone image in illustrator, from which I had a panel printed. This panel was my base fabric onto which I glue the fabric pieces. The grays in the panel help me to understand what fabric value I should use where. If you are using the PDF pattern, simply trace the image onto a piece of fabric as explained in the pattern.

2. Next, I selected fabric based on the color scheme I wanted to create. I tried to have 4-7 for each section of the quilt. In other words, each gray on the panel would be covered up with 4-7 different fabrics of the same value.

•It can be tricky determining the value of your fabric when you are distracted by the color and pattern, so here's a tip for selecting the correct value of fabric--take a photo of your fabric & change it to black & white!

3. I found it easiest to begin with the darkest or very lightest areas first. Cut fabric pieces-- I tended to cut fabric into feather shapes, or on some areas of the quilt I fussy-cut flowers.

4. Add a small dab of glue smeared in the center of each fabric piece. This will hold it in place, but keep the edges free to tuck and overlap with adjoining pieces of fabric. (Alleen's is what I used).

5. I listened to a great book from Audible while I worked on this project, because it's somewhat tedious. Check out "The Nightingale" by Kristin Hannah, if you haven't already read it!

6. When the entire bird was finished, I chose to cut him out and apply him to a background fabric. Then I glued just the edges of the bird to the background. There is no need to glue the entire bird down-- you'll be quilting him!

7. I selected a fun bird feather fabric for the back and sent the quilt top off to my friend, Paula Everill, to quilt! I LOVE how he turned out!

You can purchase my "Quailt" pattern- with instructions and the gray-tone panel here if you are interested: Quailt Collage Quilt Pattern

~Emily

For more information about creating a collage quilt & to be inspired by the community of collage quilters, join our "Collage Quilter" Facebook Group!

Comments (16 Responses)

21 May, 2019

Sherrie

How do you get the quail pattern? Just signed up for the quilt along and ordered Sublime. Will there be directions prior to the tutorial? I believe it’s May 20 th.
Thanks ,
Sherrie

01 May, 2019

Christina

Hello – I’m so happy I’ve found your website and blog, I’ve been looking for a class, but am based in Kenya, so not much luck. I’m looking forward to more articles. Can I have the free quail pattern – I tried to download it but it’s no longer available. Many thanks.

03 December, 2018

Marija

I received the Free Pattern and checked it out 😍😍😍
Thank you so much. Now that I wont get lost choosing all the beautiful but wrong Colours, it will be a lot of fun to get started soon. Thanks to your help with the black & white trick and the grey panel, I got encouraged and decided the “Quail” is the right one to be my First Project 👍🏻

09 September, 2018

Diana Nelson

Thank you for the free pattern – Am excited to get started on it and being small it will be a good first project. Collage is such a freeing technique and being I am a scrap quilter it is a perfect project for me to do. I joined your group and look forward to seeing more videos.

22 August, 2018

Johanne

Hello, thank you very much. This is the first time I’m going to do some collage with fabric. I can not wait to give it a try. The choice of fabrics to start.