If you haven’t done fabric collage before, this simple project might be a good place to start. You can make this wreath for any season or occasion, depending on your choice of fabrics—florals for spring, hearts for Valentine’s Day—anything you like.
For more on fabric collage, see Keeping It Real: Free-Motion Quilting and Fabric Collage (page 63). In addition to fabric collage, this project also involves stuffing various sections with polyester fiberfill for even more dimension and texture. A felt flower brooch adds the finishing touch. To make the brooch, see Flower Brooch (page 43).
* 30 or more fabric scraps with floral motifs (or motifs to match the season)
* 1 fat quarter of muslin
* 1 fat quarter of coordinating fabric for the backing
* 1 fat quarter of thick wool batting
* Matching or contrasting thread for quilting
* Ribbon
* Small amount of polyester fiberfill
1. Layer materials on a flat surface with the backing on the bottom, wrong side up; the batting next; and the muslin on top.
2. Cut out floral motifs and arrange them in the shape of a wreath on top of the muslin. Pin each motif in place through all 3 layers, using plenty of pins.
3. Set up your machine for free-motion quilting and quilt the edge of a motif, leaving an opening to add a little bit of fiberfill.
4. Stuff the motif lightly. Quilt the edge of the motif closed, and then quilt on top of the motif.
5. Continue quilting motifs—some with fiberfill and some without—for a textured look.
1. Cut away the excess fabric on the inside and outside of the wreath. Wet the entire piece and wring it out to add a wrinkled dimension. Allow it to air dry.
2. To finish the raw edges, sew a zigzag stitch around the edges of each motif 3 times, making the stitch shorter each time to achieve a satin-stitch finish.
Optional: Make a felt flower brooch and pin it to the wreath.
Keeping It Real
No Sticky Stuff!
It’s not a good idea to use sticky stuff like fabric glue or fusible web to hold your cut motif pieces in place. Trust me on this one. I’ve attempted it. The sticky stuff often causes your sewing machine needle to catch and the tension to be altered, resulting in breaking thread and other problems. Use pins.