Frayed-Edge Quilt Block
If you want to create a fun, simple wall hanging but have no idea how to make a quilt, this project is for you! It's so simple you could even have a child help with some of the more basic steps, turning it into a family art project.
Step 1: Select or draw a simple pattern that appeals to you. It should involve a background color and two other colors. Flowers, fish, simple people shapes, and hearts are all good choices. Your selection is limited only by your imagination. Children's coloring books are a good source for simple designs. You may enlarge or reduce it on a copy machine.
Step 2: Cut out three squares of brightly colored fabric that will work well with your design. These three colors will all show on your finished block. Size doesn't matter, as long as you are consistent. I made 10" blocks.
Step 3: Cut out a fourth square of fabric to use as the backing. If you are using this as a wall hanging you will see it only around the edges, so it doesn't need to be fancy.
Step 4: Stack the fabrics together. The backing fabric should lay right side down on the bottom of the stack. The other three squares should all be right side up. The order doesn't matter, as long as the background color is on top. (Fig. A)
Step 5: Cut out a square of parchment paper in the same size as your fabric squares. Using a fine line Sharpie, trace your design onto the parchment paper. Be sure to leave at least a 1/2-inch margin all the way around. Label each section of the design with the fabric color you want to see in that spot. (Fig. B)
Step 6: Put the parchment paper on top of your fabric stack and pin the corners of all five squares together.
Step 7: Set your sewing machine to a very short stitch. I use 2 for this project. Using a thread that either matches with your top fabric or contrasts with it, depending on your preference, slowly "trace" the design on the parchment paper with your needle. If you use art your child has created, you can let them guide the fabric while you control the foot pedal.
Step 8: Rip the parchment paper from one middle section of your design, then use your sharp scissors to cut through the top fabric to reveal the correct color of the section. Cut around the sewn edge, leaving a 1/4 inch margin. Repeat for each section of the design, then pull away all parchment paper. (Fig. C.)
Step 9: Use your blunt-nosed scissors to cut little slashes into the margins of your fabric at varying widths (the smaller the width, the more frayed the effect will be). Children can also do this step if you use blunt-nosed scissors that won't cut through the thread. If you use sharp scissors, be very careful not to cut through your sewn line. (Fig. D)
Step 10: If you are sewing blocks together, put them WRONG SIDE together so your seams will be frayed. (Fig. E)
Step 11: When you have all your blocks together, sew a 1/4-inch seam along all edges (the fabric will be thick near joining seams, so just go as close as you can, lock your stitch, then start again on the other side of the seam).
Step 12: Cut little slashes into the fabric along all seam lines as in Step 9.
Step 13: Wash your finished product to promote fraying. It's best to include it with a regular load of laundry so it will have more agitation. When it's done, you are done! No binding and no batting needed! If you have alot of stray threads, you can run a lint roller over it to clean it up. (Fig. F)
Credits: I took the designs for my blocks from the 2005 Quilting Block & Pattern-a-Day Calendar The idea was inspired by an episode of Simply Quilts.