Vintage Made Modern: Transforming Timeworn Textiles into Treasured Heirlooms(Roost Books, 2014), by Jennifer Casa, is a great read for anyone looking to repurpose old heirlooms. Casa shares many new ideas with modern twists. Find this project in “Cutter Quilts.”
A wreath on your front door is a welcome sign that greets passersby, and it is also a nice way to display a treasured quilt. My love for patchwork wreaths dates back to a beloved family ornament that hung on our holiday tree throughout my childhood. Its simple design resurfaced in my work over the years in the form of many sewn patchwork wreaths sold in my shop. To make this no-sew variation, simply look around the house for the necessary materials, and rescue a section of your favorite cutter quilt to create a lovely decoration for your home.
Finished Measurements
16″ in diameter
What You Need
• One cutter quilt
• Foam swimming noodle cut to 48″ length
• Straight pins
• Thimble (optional, but highly recommended if you have one)
• One set of takeout chopsticks
• Duct tape
• Embroidery floss or ribbon to hang
How to Make
1. Lay out your cutter quilt face up to determine what section you would like to salvage for your wreath. Don’t worry about any threadbare bits since they will add charm to the finished piece.
2. Starting at an edge, roll the foam noodle in the quilt until the fabric overlaps itself by about 3″ to establish your width measurement. Cut a piece from the quilt that is the determined width measurement by the length of 51″, or 3″ longer than the noodle.
3. Lay the noodle straight along the wrong side of the quilt piece with 3″ of the quilt extending beyond one end of the noodle.
4. Use straight pins to secure one long edge of the quilt along the length of the noodle. Insert the pins straight through the quilt and into the noodle every 2″ or so.
5. Roll the noodle in the quilt until the fabric overlaps itself snugly. Secure the quilt to itself and the noodle with straight pins along the length of the noodle just as before. (If you prefer not having the raw edge exposed, fold the raw edge under as you pin.)
6. When you have almost completed wrapping the entire noodle with the cutter quilt piece, create the wreath form by inserting the chopsticks (packaging and all) halfway into the hole at one end of the noodle. Place the other end of the noodle over the chopsticks that are sticking out of the other end to join the noodle. Use duct tape to secure the noodle closed.
7. Continue wrapping the quilt back around the noodle as before, and secure it in place with pins. Add additional pins to secure any gaps as needed.
8. Wrap a strand of embroidery floss or ribbon around the wreath to hang it up for display.
More from Vintage Made Modern: Transforming Timeworn Textiles into Treasured Heirlooms:
• Cute Pot Holder Zipper Pouch
• Handmade Patchwork Steering Wheel Cover
• How to Build an Heirloom Fabric Photo Cube
From Vintage Made Modern: Transforming Timeworn Textiles into Treasured Heirlooms by Jennifer Casa, © 2014 by Jennifer Casa. Reprinted by arrangement with Roost Books, an imprint of Shambhala Publications, Inc., Boulder, CO. www.roostbooks.com