I decided to experiment with Essex Linen a little while ago and use some to make my new Canvas quilt (quilt pattern by She Can Quilt). I never really used anything but quilting cotton or flannel to piece quilt tops so wasn't quite sure what to expect, but I loved the feel of the linen so went for it!
Maybe it was due to my inexperience, but I found it a little bit challenging. The linen is a little bit stretchier than quilting cotton and I found it difficult to baste and quilt, even with the walking foot.
I do have some of the linen left, and although I really love the look and the feel of it, I think I'll save it for a bag or zipper pouches where I can stabilize the fabric a little with interfacing.
I chose some green and blue fabrics from my stash to sew the middle patchwork and once again, after the whole quilt was done, I was a little underwhelmed with my choices.
My favourite part of the whole thing is the binding! I went with a light blue solid.
The quilt is pretty big (I made the queen size version at 80" square) and because I had such difficulty basting it, I went with my wavy lines with the walking foot. I do have some drag lines all over the place, but I'm hoping those will show up a lot less once the quilt is washed and dried.
This quilt is going to the "charity" pile (the Montreal MQG is making quilts for a palliative care centre near Montreal) and it was a good learning experience so overall, a success I think.
Stats:
Maybe it was due to my inexperience, but I found it a little bit challenging. The linen is a little bit stretchier than quilting cotton and I found it difficult to baste and quilt, even with the walking foot.
I do have some of the linen left, and although I really love the look and the feel of it, I think I'll save it for a bag or zipper pouches where I can stabilize the fabric a little with interfacing.
I chose some green and blue fabrics from my stash to sew the middle patchwork and once again, after the whole quilt was done, I was a little underwhelmed with my choices.
My favourite part of the whole thing is the binding! I went with a light blue solid.
The quilt is pretty big (I made the queen size version at 80" square) and because I had such difficulty basting it, I went with my wavy lines with the walking foot. I do have some drag lines all over the place, but I'm hoping those will show up a lot less once the quilt is washed and dried.
This quilt is going to the "charity" pile (the Montreal MQG is making quilts for a palliative care centre near Montreal) and it was a good learning experience so overall, a success I think.
Stats:
- Pattern: Canvas by She Can Quilt
- Size: 80" square
- Fabrics: Essex Linen with blue and green prints from my stash. Binding is Kona Cloud.
- Thread: Pieced and quilted with Aurifil #2000 (Sand) in 50 wt
I will be linking up:
- Crazy Mom Quilts for Finish It Up Friday
- Anja Quilts for TGIFF
- My Quilt Infatuation for Needle and Thread Thursday
- Busy Hands Quilts for Finished or Not Friday
Also, this is finish #3 on my 2018 FAL Q2 list!!
It was certainly worth the experiment - the colour scheme looks cool and calming which suits the nature of linen. Thank you for sharing your experience of using linen for patchwork quilting :-) I would have found the difficulties of basting and quilting very frustrating!
ReplyDeleteI love Essex Linen, but it can be a little tricky to get used to. But don't you just LOVE the feel of it?! The more you work with it, the easier it gets, I promise! I also really like the colours you chose - they were totally eye catching when I loaded the page and I bet they look even better up close. Everytime I see you do those wavy quilting lines it makes me want to give it a go. Well done!
ReplyDeleteI love using linen. Use something like Best Press or Flatter when cutting and pressing as you sew. And I’ve used 505 basting spray. The linen gets softer with washing and use.
ReplyDeleteI have used a bit of Essex linen in the past and I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to press. It does have some stretch and give to it, though. I think this is going to wash up beautifully.
ReplyDeleteIt looks great. Thanks for the tip on linen.
ReplyDeleteI've made several of Leanne's Canvas quilts and love the simple design. Glad you experimented with the linen blend. Though it requires just a little more care, I love the texture it provides, and use it often in my quilts. Congrats on the finish - I really like it!
ReplyDeleteThe quilt looks great! I too have found that when quilting, essex linen tends to stretch and cause difficulties.
ReplyDeleteI have been wondering about experimenting with Essex Linen myself. Thanks for your insights and the tips in the above comments.
ReplyDelete