Thursday 10 August 2023

What's In A Quilt - The Green Man - Part 2: Whole Cloth

The second block of the Green Man quilt is in the style of whole cloth - literally. One piece of fabric, no patches, no appliqué, no embroidery.

Traditionally a whole cloth quilt is usually large,  suitable for a bedcover of a single or double bed. One large piece of fabric for the top and one for the back sandwiched with batting in between. The quilt pattern is marked on the top fabric. The layers are basted together, and the quilt is stretched in a quilting hoop or a large quilting frame. Then the quilting can begin. This is usually done with a  quilt stitch similar to the Running Stitch. Traditional patterns are feathers, wreaths and cross-hatching.

Amy Emms M.B.E is for sure the most famous whole cloth quilter in the UK. Her work was stunning.

Another decorated quilter famous for her whole cloth quilts is Jacquie Harvey B.M.E., read her story on Costume and Textile Association's website.

Jacquie's way of quilting is unique, she uses no hoop, no thimble and not even the traditional quilting needle. In spite of that, her stitches are minute and the result is impeccable. Furthermore, Jacquie is going her own way by using wax crayons for shading in the design and pays great attention to the edging of her quilts, almost always with whipped piping.

Why not watch Jacquie in action?


Another famous hand quilter is Sandy Lush 


Now for my whole cloth Green Man. I used a piece of green cotton sheeting and stitched the outline of the face and the leaves..




To be continued...


4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Great videos and so many it will keep me busy for weeks.

Angela said...

I never would have guessed that this painted. I looks appliqued to me.

Rachel said...

Ooh, intriguing!

Tanya said...

I love it with the ginko leaves! And the fabric painting is great!