Doll Quilt Finish & Forest Friends Tutorial

Do you remember the Forest Friends tutorial I guest posted last month over at Fort Worth Fabric Studio? Well, it inspired my most recent finish - an adorable little appliqued doll quilt! Today I'm sharing how I used the Danny Deer template to create a double sided doll quilt, as well as reposting the original tutorial if you'd like to download any of the templates and try one of the projects. (Or make something new - a pillow perhaps? A bib? A cute appliqued toddler tee or skirt? So many possibilities!)

I had a hard time gifting this one to my niece one it was done, but at least I can see it every time we visit my brother's family! This quilt started as my Triangle QAL with The Sassy Quilter (finished just in time for the last chance link up - phew!) and even though I pared way back from my originally planned size, I'm delighted with the end result. The applique was a spur of the moment addition, but it ended up completely making the quilt.

To make sure the triangles were fully secured, but the applique wasn't run over in quilting, I did a little pre-sandwich faux-ish (half?) quilting...

First I created the appliqued quilt back using the Danny Deer template reduced to about 80%, and added some flowers and a butterfly. (For directions on how to create and sew this applique, follow the steps of the tutorial below.) I was *really careful* to line it up with the center of one of the resulting triangle hexagons on the other side of the quilt so it would appear framed.

Then I made an open-faced quilt sandwich using just batting and the triangle flimsy, and straight line quilted the inside lines of that one corresponding hexagon.

Finally I made a real quilt sandwich, centering the deer over the already quilted hexagon, pin basted, and finished straight line quilting the rest of the quilt. 

Ta da! No worries about the triangles pulling apart and a nicely framed applique : )

Forest Friends {Framed Applique Tutorial} 

Here's what you'll need:

• Forest Friends Templates: Danny Deer, Frankie Fox, Sammy Squirrel
• Picture frames (I used 11"x14" frames with 8"x10" mats)
• Fabric for animals and background
• Iron on fabric adhesive (I used HeatnBond Lite) 
• Iron on heavy interfacing/fleece (I used Pellon Fusible Fleece)
• Contrasting thread for applique 
• Ruler, paper scissors, pencil and chocolate (I never sew without it!)

Step 1
Download each template, and trace the images onto your iron on fabric adhesive IN REVERSE of the direction you want them to face when finished. Your adhesive should have a rough (adhesive) side and a smooth (paper backed) side - trace onto the smooth side. You can do this on a window like I did or over a light box.

Step 2
Take time to position each animal onto the wrong side of your fabric. (I cut Danny's & Frankie's heads, as well as Sammy's acorn separately so I could align them and the body better on my fabric.) Following manufacturer's directions, iron the fabric adhesive to the wrong side of your fabric, then cut out around designs. (If I separate the head from the body, I cut a little extra fabric at the neck to tuck under the head when I ironed them on to the background fabric.)

Step 3
Cut background fabric (to fit your mats, add 1" on each side - my mats were 8"x10" so I cut background fabric to 10"x12"... if not using mats, cut to full size of frames). Position each animal on background fabric (I laid down the mat to help me decide placement). Following manufacturer's directions, iron designs to right side of background fabric.

Step 4
Using a straight stitch (I lengthened mine to 2.8 or 3 for the size of these designs, but used the tiniest stitch length I could on the flowers and grasses in the doll quilt version) and the needle down function on your machine if possible (it will help you pause to lift the foot and pivot as you work tighter curves and corners), stitch two or three times around each animal just inside the edge (about 1/8"). Pull top thread to the back and tie off, cutting closely to the knot so you don't see stray threads sticking out from the edge under lighter background fabrics once it's framed. (I used dark brown thread to applique.)

Have fun with this step! Your applique lines give the animals their character. The lines don't have to be precise and don't have to overlap perfectly. I chose to stitch my second line a little more inside my first to add detailing to the ears. If you want to play around with the look before you sew, sketch on the paper templates to figure out what you like best : )

Step 5
When you finish appliqueing, following manufacturer's directions, iron the wrong side of the background fabric to the glue side of the iron on heavy interfacing or fleece. This step will smooth out any slight rippling of the background fabric caused by the appliques, ensuring your pieces lay smooth under glass. It also keeps thread ends in place and makes the pieces a little sturdier to handle for framing.

And... you're ready for framing!

You can use the templates to create any host of creative coordinating items.
(Hmm... matching wall decor, crib quilt, and pillow for the rocking chair? Eep! So cute!)
I'd love to see any Forest Friends project you make - use #forestfriends to share!

~ Sarah

Linking up with The Sassy Quilter's Triangle QAL