Transforming Blocks into Stained-glass
STAINED-GLASS EFFECTS
Stained-glass effects in patchwork are most attractive and we can easily create the look on almost any patchwork block. If you have made a block that hasn’t turned out very inspiring, try transforming it into a stained-glass block. We looked at bias-strip appliqué and stained-glass appliqué in Issues 23 and 24 of Today’s Quilter. For this article we will focus on transforming patchwork blocks using binding strips in a linear format. For the technique described here only blocks with straight lines are used, so the tape doesn’t have to be created on the bias. You could use the method for curved blocks but the binding would need to be made from bias-cut strips to follow curves.
The strip outline that creates the ‘leading’ is normally in a darker or contrast colour, to mimic the lead strips in stained-glass. For the three (3) samples worked for this article I used a commercial fusible tape in a gold colour and also in black, both ¼in (6mm) finished width. I also created my own ½in (12mm) binding from straight-cut fabric strips using a patterned fabric for a modern look. Making your own strips is much cheaper than buying commercial tape, plus you can use whatever fabrics you like. However, pre-made tape does have the advantage of saving on time and effort. If making your own tape, a tape maker gadget is very useful, especially for the narrow ¼in widths.
Fusible web alone is often insufficient to withstand frequent use and laundering, so it pays to sew the tape in place as well, and we look at easy ways to do this.
CHOOSING BLOCKS TO TRANSFORM
Almost any patchwork block can be transformed by the stained-glass look but when trying out the technique and to make life easier for yourself, try to choose blocks with the following characteristics (see Fig 1 for examples).
■ Choose a simple block that isn’t made up of too many patches.
■ Select a block that doesn’t have too many acute angles or excessively narrow points.
■ Use a block where patches have enough space for the tape.
This cushion has a four-point star as the centre design, surrounded by a border with cornerstones, making the block 16in finished (16½in unfinished). Commercial fusible bias tape ¼in wide in black was used for the leading, fused and then sewn into place. The strips following the star pattern were machine sewn with black thread through the strip centres. The strips in the border were secured with a black machine zigzag stitch
