A Bouquet of Tulips

Sunday, April 26, 2020

Tulips in a jar mini quilt using Island Batik fabric and Aurifil thread


This month's Aurifil Artisan challenge was to feature your favorite Aurifil thread weight! I didn't even have to think about it! I absolutely love the 50wt!! I use it for piecing, machine applique, free-motion quilting (on both my domestic and longarm!), stitching on binding...

It took a bit longer to think about what I wanted to make. More sunshine is happening these days, and I've really been admiring the tulips blooming around our neighborhood. That was just the inspiration I needed to make a mini quilt!


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Island Batik fabrics


I got out my stash of Island Batik fabrics that already have fusible web on them. They're a mix between Heat-N-Bond Lite and Lite Steam-A-Seam 2.

I also found my piece of clear vinyl. It's meant for a table cloth cover or something, but I use it for fun sewing projects! (Here's the last time I used it!) I got 1/3 yard of it cut off the roll behind the cutting counter at my local Wal-Mart.

clear vinyl


Then I got started cutting out the shapes! I first made a jar from very light blue. I also cut the same jar shape from the clear vinyl.

cutting pieces for raw edge free motion applique


Then cut stems, leaves, and Easter eggs tulips!

Applique pieces prepped


I had a light-colored scrap among my Island Batik fabrics that was the perfect size!

Raw edge applique


After fusing the fabrics in place, I layered a piece of Hobbs' Thermore batting under it.

Hobbs' Thermore batting


Next it was time to free-motion quilt/applique with some 50wt Aurifil thread! I chose #2692 Black to outline each of the flowers.

Free motion applique with black Aurifil 50wt thread


Then I placed the clear vinyl over the outline of the jar and added a bit more free-motion work to outline the jar.

Adding clear vinyl to a mini quilt


Here's the view from the back! I didn't want to put the backing fabric on before this, as I didn't want to have to bury all the threads from the starts/stops!


Back after free motion applique


I trimmed up the mini quilt to 9" x 12" and cut a fabric scrap the same size for the back. Then I switched to Aurifil 50wt Pine #2892 and machine stitched on the binding (tutorial for that here)!

Machine sewn binding


No quilting or stitches show on the back, so it looks nice and finished!

Back of Tulips in a jar mini quilt


Do you have a favorite thread weight? I have a *few* spools of Aurifil 50wt! (Just under a hundred colors plus a couple cones of white and grey that I use often!)

Aurifil 50wt thread


I used Aurifil 50wt Black #2692 and Aurifil 50wt Pine #2892 for this mini quilt!

Tulips in a jar mini quilt


This was a quick and fun experiment in using the vinyl in a quilt!

Tulips in a jar mini quilt


And I've never done the raw-edge applique using black thread either!

Tulips in a jar mini quilt


I love the look, so I'll definitely keep this in my wheelhouse to use again!

Tulips in a jar mini quilt


As April comes to a close, I can't help but think of the saying, "April showers bring May flowers!" 

Tulips in a jar mini quilt


And this quilty bouquet will remind me of the beautiful flowers long after they're gone too!

Tulips in a jar mini quilt



9 comments:

  1. Such a fun project! I absolutely love the addition of the vinyl on your vase.

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  2. It looks great! I like the way you used the black stitching to add details to some tulips, too. I use Aurifil 50 and sometimes 60 in all my sewing. I have some set out to try on the Lenni to see what weight I need for that. Since the first spool I used, I have bought Aurifil for all my sewing.

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  3. The vase in vinyl is fun! A sweet project for flowers that are the harbinger of spring!

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  4. I love that you added the layer of vinyl to give the glass vase a great touch of realism!

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  5. This is so pretty! I would never have thought to use vinyl in this kind of project but I really like the look.

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  6. This is so fun! I love the clear vinyl jar. It's such an unexpected touch :)

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  7. Happy Spring.....what a great project!!

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