Have you ever wanted to turn a photograph into a piece of fabric art? This week on The Stitch Show, I'm welcoming Jennifer Henderson to introduce us to the creative world of collage quilting!
Jennifer will show us how to create a beautiful Santa hat appliqué using small pieces of fabric, a little fusible web, and some creative stitching. Think of it as painting with fabric! Instead of traditional piecing with perfectly cut shapes and matched seams, collage quilting allows you to build an image using layers of fabric in different colors, patterns, and values.
It's a wonderful way to use up fabric scraps, experiment with your stash, and create something that looks almost like a painting.
Our Project: Santa Hat Collage Appliqué
For this episode, Jennifer will demonstrate how to turn a Santa hat image into a textured fabric appliqué that can be added to a sweatshirt.
We'll start by creating a value map of our image, identifying the light, medium, and dark areas. Then we'll build the design using small pieces of fabric, layering and arranging them until the image comes together.
Jennifer will walk us through the process, including:
How to turn a photo into a grayscale, vectorized template.
Understanding light, medium, and dark fabric values.
Choosing and preparing fabrics for collage quilting.
Applying Steam-A-Seam 2 Lite fusible web.
Arranging and tacking down fabric pieces with a mini iron.
Using your phone's camera to check the overall design.
Fusing the finished collage.
Securing the raw edges with free-motion stitching.
The finished design has wonderful texture and dimension, and the possibilities for this technique go far beyond a Santa hat!
Download the Santa Hat Template
Want to follow along with Jennifer and create your own Santa hat appliqué?
DOWNLOAD THE SANTA HAT TEMPLATE HERE!
You can print the template at the size you need for your project, whether you're making a sweatshirt appliqué, pillow, wall hanging, or even a potholder.
Supplies You'll Need
Here are the materials Jennifer recommends for this project:
Steam-A-Seam 2 Lite fusible web - https://link.amazon/B0j05vy5D
Clover Mini Iron - https://link.amazon/B0htvp0Wh
Steam iron - https://link.amazon/B0dfRpf9f
Karen Kay Buckley Perfect Scissors - https://link.amazon/B07yXNwxv
Tweezers - https://link.amazon/B0500nGDA
Silicone pressing mat - https://link.amazon/B08zBXcqC
Light board - https://link.amazon/B0i0BQ5FE
Parchment paper (not freezer paper!) - https://link.amazon/B0cC7uhe0
Fabric scraps or fat quarters in light, medium, and dark values
Sewing machine with a free-motion quilting option or stitch regulator
Stabilizer for a sweatshirt project, or batting and backing for a quilted project
Heat ‘n Bond - https://link.amazon/B03sbRAe5
A Few Tips Before You Get Started
One of the most important parts of collage quilting is choosing fabrics based on value rather than just color. You'll want a good assortment of light, medium, and dark fabrics to give your image depth and dimension.
Jennifer recommends having at least five different fabrics for each value. Small-scale prints, florals, batiks, and fabrics with movement and texture are all wonderful choices.
A few more tips:
Start with a simple design while you're learning.
Work from the background toward the foreground.
Cut your fabric pieces freehand. They don't need to be perfect!
Take photos of your progress to see the overall composition.
Use lightweight fusible web so your project doesn't become too stiff.
Test your free-motion stitching on a sample before working on your finished project.
And most importantly, don't be afraid to experiment! Some of the best details come from unexpected fabric choices.
Why You'll Love Collage Quilting
If traditional quilting feels a little too structured for your creative side, collage quilting might be just what you're looking for.
There's no need to worry about perfectly matching seams or cutting every piece to an exact measurement. You get to play with color, texture, and composition while watching an image slowly come to life.
It's also a fantastic way to use up those fabric scraps and fat quarters you've been saving!
Watch The Stitch Show Live!
Join Jennifer Henderson and me on Wednesday, November 11, at 7 PM Central for Episode 7 of The Stitch Show!
Grab your fabric scraps, download the Santa hat template, and come learn something new with us. Whether you're interested in making a festive sweatshirt or exploring collage quilting for future projects, this is a technique you'll want to try.
WATCH THE STITCH SHOW LIVE ON YOUTUBE HERE! (or watch the replay anytime!)
For more sewing projects, tutorials, and creative inspiration, visit Craft with Bethany.
We can't wait to see what you create!
