Okay, I've started to sew up the last of the school quilts.
(For those of you keeping count, this is #7 for the year, and I think I might be getting a wee bit tired.)
This auction art project will be a lap quilt that is meant to be loved by little hands. It is true that it could be used as a wall hanging, but I hope it becomes someone's lovey.
This project is for Little e's class, but I did a similar project with Sweetheart G's kinder class back in the day. I like the house theme for a number of reasons; they are easily recognizable, incredibly cute, and tend to contain lots of straight lines and basic shapes. Also, I have yet to have a child tell me "I can't draw a house."
The project starts with the students each drawing a house.
Next, they chose the fabrics for their house's details.
Then, I gather up all the materials and runaway home to wave my magic wand and see what everyone's created. (You aren't going to buy that are you?)
Okay, really I trace the house and make a plan for world domination how to sew together the house. Most of the houses will have a foundation pieced base with accents appliqued onto them.
You will notice that I do straighten their lines. I do try very hard to keep the soul of the house intact. I want the "kid"-ness of the work to shine, but I also need seams I can sew.
Next, I trace the pattern onto a lightweight piece of foundation (NOT FUSIBLE WEB).
Then I piece together the house, and applique on details like windows.
This is the back of a finished house, and if I flip it over you'll see.....
a lovely and totally cute house!
Now I just repeat the process 23 times for the rest of the class!
Since I want this quilt to be used (and washable) I turned all my appliqued edges under. I could do a project like this with fusible web (like the Under the Sea quilts), but then it wouldn't be able to withstand a lot of handling or washing. Personally, I don't want to have to explain to a five year old why they can't touch their fabric creation; I'd much rather explain washing directions to their parent.
*If anyone out there wants to do a project like this, contact me please! This is the roughest of outlines, and I am happy to go into more details for anyone who is interested.