Anthologie Quilt – Working on Inspiration Collage – #1
The posts in this series are all part of the pattern, Anthologie. These are not tutorials or how to videos, but are of me making this quilt. It’s meant to be similar to a self guided quilt along and hopefully feel like we are making this quilt together (even if you are finding this years later). Do tag me on Instagram (@southerncharmquilts)! I’d love to see what you do with it. 🙂
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The reason this section is first was done so that it can help set the theme or mood of your quilt. Your theme or mood doesn’t have to be as defined as mine, which is nature, by the way. It can be much more loose or even abstract. It can be minimal or you can fill the whole section up with applique. There are so many directions this can go, and any direction you head in is exactly where you should be. You can do no wrong. This is playtime!
Products Used
Inspiration Collage Working Video
Video Summary
I started Inspiration Collage by piecing together all the background blocks. This way I get this huge blank canvas where I can go as big as I wanted too.
My original idea was to have dozens of butterflies fluttering out of one of the corners, but the only butterflies on fabric I could find were smaller. I found these pillows on Amazon (affiliate link) and cut the butterflies out of two of them. The material on these were a thicker, loose weave linen so they are a bit stiff. I didn’t use any type of applique product to adhere to them. Instead, I just machine stitched them down using a silver Microquilter thread. It’s what I always use for applique.
After the butterflies were in place, I dug around in my fabric stash, hoping to find some large floral prints. It was easier ten years ago to find larger prints, so I’m using a lot of my older stash in my appliques. I did manage to find a few newer ones though. Anna Maria Horner (affiliate link) always has such great fabrics that are perfect for fussy cutting and appliqueing. We’ve got a small selection in the shop as well here. I also used a lot of Amy Butler (affiliate link) and Joel Dewberry (affiliate link), old favorites. I’ve got to a place in preferred fabric where I like everything scaled a bit smaller, I think it looks better on quilts, but STILL there is always a place for the bigger prints, and this section is definitely one of those places.
So anyway, I dig around and pull fabrics, cut them haphazardly, back them with the Heat n Bond, and then give them all a closer cut. I removed all the paper backings from them and started arranging them on the background, beneath the butterflies. The goal was to have the butterflies look like they were hovering or flying from the flower bed, even though I do realize the scale is a bit odd, I still like the look of it. I also wanted the flower bed to look a bit wild.
I played around with this for quite some time and when I had everything looking the best I could get it to look, I pressed all of it down, gently at first so that I didn’t move the pieces or cause folding and bunching. Then more forcefully to insure everything was secure.
I didn’t do any stitching on the flowers. They’ll get their permanent stitching when I quilt the finished quilt top. This will save me a step for now. I mention in the video tutorial that as I work on the quilt, some of flowers may start peeling up and that I’ll just press them down again and all will be fine.
I also did some quick embroidery for the antennas on both my butterflies.
Referenced Tutorials
Fabrics I’m using
I really dug deep into my own personal stash and found lots of older prints for this project, so most of what I’m using is harder to find.
If you are looking for curated bundles, find them here.
I had so much fun working on this section. Trying to get the “flower bed” to look just so was the biggest thrill for me. I’m so happy with what I’ve done. It’s not perfect of course, but who cares. Amiright?! I love to play with fabric and this section was exactly that for me.
I can’t wait to see what you do! Don’t be shy! Tag me on Instagram, @southerncharmquilts and use the #anthologiequilt.
Have fun playing with your fabrics!
This looks like fun, Melanie! I’ve been working on an owl collage (pattern by Laura Heine) for, well, too many years now!! Took a class up in Athens at 3 Hens and a Chick several years ago and just haven’t gotten back to it! I purchased a number of floral fabrics for that, so I may give this a shot and use the left overs…if I ever get it finished! LOL Laura was supposed to come to our guild (Birmingham Quilters Guild) last year, but she cancelled on us at the last minute. I learned the technique so just need to motivate myself to get back to it. It will be for my granddaughter, who loves owls! Thanks for the inspiration. Can’t wait to see the finished project!
Great job on the video. I cannot wait to get started on this project. You have inspired me to think outside the box for this project.