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Odif 505: instrumental in the composition of your quilt design

Odif 505: instrumental in the composition of your quilt design

by Tania Denyer

Yesterday I prepared improv leaves and circle flower buds using indispensable quilting tools everyone should have in the toolbox. I fret less about how I get quilting tasks done and enjoy the creative process more! I talked about the following tools this week, in case you missed them: the UNIQUE Folding Cutting Mat, the Sew Easy Quilting Ruler 24” x 6½” and the KAI rotary cutter… pressing it all with my Oliso Iron!

A picture showing a rotary mat, rotary cutter, ruler and quilting fabric

Improv cutting leaves with my Sew Easy Ruler and KAI rotary cutter

Today, the focus is on the composition of the quilt design using the prepared pieces.

Now is a happy time to play, here we go! Begin by placing your darkest green leaves on the background, then add the lighter and finally the patterned leaves cut from Hoffman Fabrics Garden State of Mind. You may overlap and underlap (is that a word?) the leaves but remember you’ll also be sewing them down one layer at a time.

Hoffman 24/7: Linen fabrics in Aqua and Mint to create improv leaves on a quilt

Two colorways of Hoffman 24/7: Linen I used for the leaves.

Next add the circle flower buds. I chose to make three flower stems, sort of like gladioli or lavender, the way the blossoms stack up along a center line. Begin with the solids as a guide, then add the Garden State of Mind fabric circles. Take your time. This project was so large I had to go up to my second floor and take pictures of it on the deck below, summer is the perfect time for quilt design! You need to be able to step back, or in this case up, from the composition in order to see the adjustments you would like to make.

Remember to take pictures! It’s very easy to get carried away with the process. This will help you with the next step of applique.

There are several ways to applique. I chose raw edge for this project with the help of Odif 505 Temporary Quilt Basting Adhesive Fabric Spray.

Odif has many excellent sprays that help in the quilting process. The Odif 505 is a temporary, repositionable, fabric adhesive used to temporarily bond fabric. Odorless, colorless, no mist, does not gum sewing needles. Use for machine applique, quilting, basting, holding fabric to stabilizers in machine embroidery and hemming. Acid Free – No CFCs. What’s not to love about this product?

Odif 505 Temporary Quilt Basting Adhesive Fabric Spray

Odif 505 Temporary Quilt Basting Adhesive Fabric Spray is an indispensable tool for quilters of any skill level.

This product allows you to adhere the pieces to your backing with the chance to change your mind before sewing them down. It will wash away completely so there’s no worry there.

Starting at the bottom of your quilt, begin placing the darker green leaves, start with 4 to 5. Spray the back of your leaves with Odif 505 Temporary Quilt Basting Adhesive Fabric Spray and place on the quilt top. You’ll find they adhere firmly but you’re also able to pick the pieces up and move them if you change your mind, it happens!

Once satisfied with the first layer, take the quilt top to your machine and applique them down. I chose to use a straight stitch at 3.0 but you may use whatever you wish. I wanted the edges to fray a bit and give a softer look to the entire piece, so I was not concerned with finishing the edges. Again, all of this is based on choice, it’s your quilt after all.

Repeat the same process with the lighter green leaves, then the leaves cut from Hoffman Fabrics Garden State of Mind.

A picture showing a picture of a patterned fabric and an Oliso Iron

Your constant companion in this and all sewing projects, the Oliso Iron!

Remember to use your Oliso Iron between layers, it helps keep everything nice and flat!

Next, add your solid circles and sew them down, using your photos as a guide, work in layers and don’t give up. You’ll find the more you add the better it’s going to look.

A picture showing a close up of an applique of leaves and floral circles

Work your applique one layer at a time.

Also, if your sewing machine has a walking foot, this is a good time to use it for the applique.

Using a walking foot on a sewing machine to applique fabric pieces

Applique each layer and use a walking foot to assist if you have it!

As for thread, I chose to use Gütermann Variegated Cotton 50wt Thread. A variegated thread blends well with the fabrics. This one is a green colorway called Bahama Ocean, sounds like happy vacation time!

Here’s why this thread is so gorgeous to quilt with: Gütermann 100% natural cotton thread is made with the finest, long-staple cotton and is strong with a silk-like luster. Suitable for both hand and machine sewing. Ideal for piecing and embroidery work with the finest cotton fabrics. It’s a 3-ply and I suggest needle size: US 8/12 (60-80).

Use Gütermann Variegated Cotton thread to create more dimension to your applique.

A spool of GÜTERMANN Variegated Cotton 50wt Thread for Garden State of Mind quilt; Hoffman Fabrics

Gütermann Variegated Cotton 50wt Thread. A variegated thread blends well with the fabrics. This one is a green colorway called Bahama Ocean, sounds like happy vacation time to me!

Tomorrow I’ll go over the steps you need to finish the Garden State of Mind quilt. I would love to see how you interpreted this pattern too. You can find me @iamgingerq on Instagram and you can use the hashtags #summermagicquilt and #TheSewGoesOn.

A picture showing a cat on a quilt top

Even cats will get into a Garden State of Mind…A cat is always required to assist in any quilting project… this is our cat Pinnie 🙂

This is part 4 of 5 in this series

Go back to part 3: Improv applique makes quilting magical!

Go to part 5: A little math helps in figuring out your quilt binding

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