Projects

Keep the Heart Truth Growing Wallhanging

Created By:

Jane Spolar of Quilt Poetry

Skill Level: Advanced
Patterns Available +/-
Applique pattern to accompany Keep the Heart Truth Growing Wallhanging.

Jane Spolar, of Quilt Poetry™ patterns, created this beautiful wallhanging in recognition of Janome’s support of the Heart Truth, the national awareness campaign for women about heart disease.


Click here to view Jane’s accompanying Pillow project.


Janome Supplies Required

-Any Janome Machine; Jane used the Memory Craft 6600P
-Open Toe Appliqué Foot F2
-1/4 Inch Seam Foot O
-Walking Foot for AcuFeed
-Free Motion Foot P2

Fabric and Notions Required

Fabric and Notions Required:
-1/2 yd. white on white background fabric
-1/3 yd. cream and white fabric for long wavy appliqué shape
-Large scraps, fat eight’s or fat quarter’s of a variety of reds for appliqué (I used seven)
-1/2 yd. red for outer border (use excess for applique)
-1/4 yd. dark red for inner border (use excess for applique)
-1/4 yd. dark red for binding
-1 yd. backing
-2/3 yd. very lightweight, fusible, non-woven interfacing
-1¼ yd. fusible paper backed web
-batting to fit 28" x 35"
-Rotary cutting supplies
-A variety of decorative threads (I used white, peach, bright red, burgundy, pink and orange for the decorative stitching)
-Embroidery needle size 80/12 or 90/14, depending upon the decorative thread used
-Polyester monofilament thread for quilting in the ditch
-Decorative thread for quilting
-Five 3/8" buttons for the flower centers

Instructions

Pattern Instructions:


Enlarge the pattern 225%. Make a reversed copy also. Tape pages together. The pattern that faces forward will be your full size guide. The reversed copy is the one you’ll use to trace fusible templates.

Cutting Instructions:
Background block:

Prior to cutting the background, cut the interfacing into a piece slightly larger than the 16½" x 23½", that you’ll be cutting the block. Fuse the interfacing to the back of the block fabric following manufacturer’s instruction. (Be careful not to trap any little threads or fuzz between the fabric and the interfacing.)

Once the interfacing is applied, cut the block 16½" x 23½” --- the block will be trimmed to 15½" x 22½" once the appliqué is completely stitched. The interfacing will nicely stabilize the appliqué and add a little extra body to the wall hanging.

Borders:

Inner border:
Cut three (3), 1½" strips across the width of the fabric.
From one strip, cut two (2), 15½" x 1½" pieces.
From the other two strips, cut from each, one (1) 24½" x 1½" pieces.

Outer border:
Cut three (3), 3¾" strips across the width of the fabric.
From one strip, cut two (2) 17½" x 3¾" pieces.
From the other two strips, cut from each, one (1) 31" x 3¾" piece.

Backing and Binding:

Cut backing and batting 28" x 35".
For double fold binding strips, cut three (3) strips, 2" to 2½" wide, depending upon the thickness of your batting and the width binding you desire to make.

Appliqué Instructions:

General:

1. Trace shapes onto the paper side of fusible web. Remember to include overlap allowances where needed. Roughly cut around each piece. Fuse web to the wrong side of fabric, following the web manufacturer’s recommendations. Cut out appliqué pieces and peel off the paper backing.

2. To assemble the appliqué, lay the full size guide on top of a light source, such as a light box. Center the background block on top of the guide to determine where pieces are to be fused. The center of the design is marked on the pattern.

3. Apply the shapes to the background block. I like to lightly tack in place with the iron at this time, and then transfer to the ironing board to adhere the pieces fully. Another way to do this is to use tape that is easily peeled off, such as painter’s tape or pink hair tape -- and tape the pieces to the background. Gently remove the tape as you fuse the pieces in place.

Specific:
1. Trace, fuse and stitch the long wavy background appliqué shape prior to fusing the rest of the appliqué.

2. When tracing this piece, extend the bottom and top edges enough to reach the edge of the block. This shape needs to go into the seam lines.

3. I traced this shape without making “cutout” areas so I could stitch the edge of the shape in one continuous line. A tip for fusing large pieces of fusible web; tack the web to the back of the fabric, then keep the iron moving while fusing. This will keep the web and fabric from getting “crinkly”.

See decorative stitching ideas in the next section.

4. After the long wavy shape has been stitched down, fuse the other shapes to the background.

Decorative stitching ideas for the appliqué:

1. Here’s the fun part. Time to get creative with thread and stitches! Just an FYI, I find it’s easiest to sew decorative stitches around appliqué if I set the speed control slider to about half speed or a little less. Always do these stitches in the needle down position so the needle stays safely in the fabric when you pause to pivot.

2. It’s a good idea to practice on a little sample fabric with some shapes fused to it, to get the feel and rhythm of the stitch pattern.

3. Use a variety of complimentary threads to enhance the project.

Some of the stitches I used:

Mode 3, Stitch 67, set at 7.0, 2.5.

I used this stitch along the edge of the long wavy appliqué shape. The stitch is directional and I wanted the little swirls to curve upward, so I stitched from the bottom edge to the top edge on each side of the shape. In order to keep this stitch consistent along the edge of the appliqué piece, I lined up the edge of the fabric with the inside right side of the open toe foot as I was stitching along the right. Then lined up the fabric edge with inside left side of the open toe foot as I was stitching along the left. Stop and pivot as often as necessary to keep the stitch running along the edge of the appliqué. This stitch pattern works quite nicely along a gentle curve, no matter where in the stitch pattern you happen to pivot.

Mode 1, Stitch 5, set at 3.5, 2.5 or 2.0.

I used this stitch along the insides of many of the appliqué shapes. I also sometimes used it with a different thread color, stitching around the outside of the appliqué shapes for definition. The three single stitches it makes show up decorative thread beautifully.

When stitching along the inside of a shape, keep the needle about 1/16" from the edge of the shape. Pivot often, sometimes every two or three stitches depending on the depth of the curve.

When stitching along the outside, keep the needle about a thread width away from the edge of the shape so the entire stitch lands nicely next to the piece.

Mode 3, Stitch 09, set at 2.5, 0.5.

I used this stitch along the edges of some of the appliqué shapes. It covers the raw edge of the shape. Stitch so the needle falls just outside the appliqué whenever the stitch makes its outward zig. When using this stitch, pivot when the needle is on the outside of the piece.

Mode 2, Stitch 73, set at 4.0, 2.0.

After I stitched around the edge of a small solid colored heart with a normal straight stitch set at 2.0 length, I used this stitch to add some texture. I stitched about 1/4" inside the edges of the heart. To pivot this pattern, notice that it makes one straight stitch between stars. The place to pivot this stitch is as soon as that single stitch is placed. Stop exactly at this point with the needle still in the fabric and pivot. Never try to pivot while the star is stitching out or you won’t have a nice star.

Mode 1, Stitch 1, set at 3.5, 2.0.

Yes, with decorative thread, an ordinary straight stitch, nicely executed can be just the thing. If you want to highlight another stitch with just a hint of another color, this is the perfect way to do it. Try a little metallic thread for big impact.

Assembling the quilt:

1. Once all the appliqué has been stitched, trim the appliqué block to 15½" x 22½".

Note: All seams are ¼”.

2. Using the ¼” foot, sew the 15½" inside border strips to the top and bottom of the trimmed appliqué block. Press seams toward border. Sew the 24½" border strips to the sides. Press seams toward border.

3. Continue attaching the outside border strips in the same manner, top and bottom first, then sides. Press seams toward border.

4. Layer backing, batting and quilt top. Baste and quilt. I use the acufeed walking foot to “stitch in the ditch” between the block and the borders first. Then I drop the feed dogs and switch to the free motion foot to stitch closely around all appliquéd shapes next with polyester monofilament thread. If you’re not as comfortable with free motion, you can also do this with the walking foot.

5. Quilt the background, borders, and any quilting in the appliqué shapes needed to keep the quilt even. Trim the backing and batting even with the edges of the quilt top.

6. Bind the quilt according to your preference. Sew the buttons on where the flower centers should be. Embellish with beads or crystals if you desire.

Everyone is Talking about Keep the Heart Truth Growing Wallhanging
Reviews


Tako
Beautiful
Wednesday, November 23, 2016

cpindzola
Around the Table Dresden Placemats
Saturday, December 17, 2016

I like the concept, but the directions are "sloppy." Nowhere in the supply list does it mention the felt or the batting (how much?). Also, I would never use a high loft batting in a placemat, or a table runner, as I think that it would be too unstable for a glass. The next time I make these, I will cut out the batting (I use flannel) and spray baste it to the wrong side of the Dresden plate before I put the Dresden plate on the felt to cut out. I have not yet washed the finished placemat, and am hoping that the single layer of felt does not curl up, or become distorted after washing/drying.
Txmaid
Fun Great Gift!
Tuesday, February 21, 2017

MargieARK
Teatime Quilted Tablecloth
Friday, February 24, 2017

I made this today but your cutting directions need to be changed. You only need 4 of color 1 and color 3 4.5 squares for the triangles. Also the inner border, you only need 2 cuts as WOF is long enough to cut each in half to fit the sides.
MickelSews
Great Machine
Wednesday, August 30, 2017

I've had this machine for only a week now. I bought it used from a lady who makes her own clothes, but she no longer needed the machine. During the purchase, she noted that she is almost sad that it's better to give it away because of how well the machine performed. (I also bought it along side a computerized machine of another brand.} She demoed the machine for us, showing it worked and gave us everything (including the box it came in!) She took amazing care of this machine. I have used it a few times now, and the directions for threading were easy to follow (albeit my hands are quite large so the lower looper was a pain, but that is no fault to the machine or brand.) And I recommend this machine to anyone who wants to learn to serge and wants a machine that can grow with them. I will happily use this machine time and time again.
rvstan
S9 Review
Sunday, February 25, 2018

I love, love, love my S9! It's sews and embroiders beautifully and it's simplicity of use amazes me. I would recommend this machine for both a beginner and an experienced seamstress. If I would ask anything of Janome it would be to upgrade the programming to run a larger hoop size. I understand that it can't get much wider but there is most definitely room for it to go longer. That is the only limitation of this machine.
pjmnana
PJMNana
Monday, February 26, 2018

I purchased a Memorycraft 15000 a few years ago and it was the best purchase I ever made! This machine can do just about anything you would would ever want! I love the capability of using the Acuedit app to set up my embroidery pattern on my Ipad and then download it to the machine! I love how my embroidery looks upon completion and I love all the good lighting it has to light up your workspace. That way you don’t need to worry about where to set up your machine. It also has plenty of room to do machine embroidery on any size quilts! There are many decorative stitches from which to choose that are outstanding! It’s hard to choose which one to use! There are so many great features it is hard to decide what I love the most. If you want to buy only one machine to last a lifetime, I would recommend this one!
KLWash
S9 Review
Sunday, February 24, 2019

The S9 is amazing. I learned to sew by hand when I was just 5 and in my grandmothers way as she was quilting. I took seeing classes in high school until they would no longer let me sign up. The S9 makes me appreciate my current skills as well as motivate me to want to learn more. This machine is awesome.
SewSueMe2002
Horizon Memory Craft 15000
Thursday, November 19, 2020

My Janome Horizon Memory Craft 15000 is fantastic! I love, love, love this machine! When I came across the Eye for and Eye embroidery design today, I wanted to make it. However, the embroidery file is missing. Nothing downloads when I select the download button. Please help!
Jillfmischo
Treat Bag fun!
Monday, August 16, 2021

I made the Halloween treat bag for my new granddaughter and I’m sure it will last for years. No embroidery machine so I appliquéd the lettering. Need a little more skirt fabric for a better gathered look, and I used thin double-bias tape for the skirt hem, over edge stitch on skirt sides. I’m pleased with my results!
elenaz
Very helpful tutorial
Wednesday, October 25, 2023

I want to say thank you for teaching me this method of applique. I was able to do it with a small letters. This method is the best so far from all of those I've seen and tried.
plonkar
So useful
Thursday, November 30, 2023

I'd like to express my gratitude for teaching me this appliqué method. I successfully applied it with small letters, and, so far, it's the most effective among all the methods I've seen and tried.

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