QUILTsocial | Issue 08

Details of the quilt blocks
Embroidery Stencil Preparation
1. When embroidery is complete
remove the embroidered fabric from
the hoop. Decide which areas on the
embroidered piece you would like to
dye. Tear away the INSPIRA® Clear N’
Melt from those areas. It can also be
trimmed away or melting away with
the hot touch tool in intricate areas. If
you have a choice of tips for your hot
touch tool, choose a tip that is closest
in size to the design area for stabilizer
you’re melting away. Stilettos are great
for pulling it up out of small areas.
This stabilizer tears away quite easily.
Just hold the fabric on the stitches to
support them and then tear upwards
quickly. When finished the stabilizer
should only be left on areas, that you
don’t want the dye to penetrate.
2. On this specific project, the outer
boundaries of the embroidery design
were removed for the dyeing process
and any areas where light colour is
visible is essentially where the Clear
N’ Melt was left behind. There are
hot touch tools available crystal
applications and embellishment and
mini irons for appliqué. Either of these
tools work for the melt away stabilizer.
Follow manufacturer’s instructions for
using them.
Dye Preparation
1. Using the dye packet instructions,
follow the water temperature
information. Wear Rubber gloves
for all of dye procedure and
rinsing procedure.
2. Boil water in kettle and mixed it in
an open container with dye and
manufacturer’s recommendations
of adding salt. Use water amount in
relation to size of project.
3. Work in an area that’s totally covered
with newspaper or aany absorbent
material that will take on the extra
dye as it’s sprayed. Use multiple
layers of newspaper to prevent any
dye from bleeding through onto the
work surface.
4. Let the dye cool. And then add it to
the spray bottle. This project was
done outdoors but can easily be
done indoors as well. Have a test
sample piece to test the spray bottle
and dye application on the fabric.
Let the dye sit for about 10 minutes.
Spray again if needed in areas. When
happy with the result of the test
piece proceed to spray the dye onto
your embroidered fabric blocks using
the same method.
Note: The dye application will be lighter than
it appears once the block is rinsed and dry.
5. It’s possible that the dye does
not completely penetrate the
embroidered area with the stabilizer
on top. There may be muted colour
in these areas, which adds interest,
and the cotton thread colour
that was used for embroidery has
absorbed the colour of the dye.
6. Rinse each block until the water
turns clear. At this point the INSPIRA®
Aqua Magic Stabilizer washes away.
The reason we use INSPIRA® Aqua
Magic water soluble stabilizer is to
not only stabilize the embroidery, but
it doesn’t trap the dye between the
layers. It rinses away and so does the
excess dye.
7. Let each block dry. The blocks can be
hung to dry or laid on a surface that
has something to protect the surface.
Maybe an old towel that you no
longer plan to use.
Assembling the blocks
1. When the blocks are completely
dry, press the embroidered fabric
blocks according to stabilizer
instructions and the stabilizer will
melt away. Simply brush away the
stabilizer off of the surface. This also
helps set the colour.
2. Wash the blocks with mild detergent
and dry flat or hang dry.
3. Cut the blocks to 14” x 14” or desired size.
4. Fold each of the 6” cotton print
blocks in half diagonally to form
triangles and place them into
desired corners of each embroidered
block with the fabric fold facing
the embroidery. Pin into position.
Some blocks were cut smaller at 4” x
4” and folded to accommodate the
large snowflake shape. However this
depends entirely on the size of the
chosen embroidery. Cut them to the
desired size.
5. Add the sashing pieces between
the blocks, right side of sashing to
Q
82 .com | issue 8
UILTsocial