Quality Quilting with Jennifer Ogborn!
Hi, my name is Jennifer, and I am one of the designers here at Sizzix! Would you like to come on a journey with me today, to see how I made a beautiful butterfly quilt with my new Garden Friends (666031) die?
Yes? I thought so, here we go!
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0785/0829/4472/files/Jen-O-1-1-660x675-1_65504d0c-8883-47ce-9ef5-956eb58888e9.jpg?v=1711020356)
I always think a great place to start, is at the end. With this in mind, I created the image below to see what I was aiming for with my final design. This is a great way of visualising what I am trying to achieve.
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0785/0829/4472/files/1.-Concept-1_e73cab09-d132-4258-a8e4-2c46b157efc5.jpg?v=1711020366)
Now onto the fun part, choosing the fabrics! This is fantastic for using up scraps of fabric, and I wanted a mixture of patterns, as butterflies come in all kinds of colours!
Once I had chosen, I used some Iron on Adhesive on the back of each piece of fabric. This will stop the edges fraying once die cut.
I needed sixteen butterflies in total, so I ran each piece through the Sizzix Big Shot Plus die machine (660020), using the butterfly shape on my Garden Friends (666031) die, until I had enough.
The great thing about using a Bigz Plus die is that you can cut a few layers of fabric at once, making the process quicker!
Tip - If you want to replicate this project but feel uneasy about quilting, try die cutting the butterflies, then stitching them to a ready-made blanket as a great alternative with similar effects!
I then cut out sixteen 6 ½ x 6 ½ inch squares out of cream fabric and ironed one butterfly to the middle of each square.
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0785/0829/4472/files/2.-Iron-on-675x675-1_046f08e0-3eb1-4a6e-8600-1f529ce14fb6.jpg?v=1711020377)
With my sewing machine, I stitched around each butterfly to secure them into place. I then decided that they needed a little something extra! So I hand stitched the bodies and antennas with some contrasting embroidery threads.
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0785/0829/4472/files/3.-Hand-Sew-675x675-1_25da300e-3e90-422f-8af2-429b1be5a583.jpg?v=1711020387)
Throughout the rest of this project I used ¼inch seam allowance.
This was a great stopping point to lay out all the butterflies and arrange them in the order I wanted. Sewing the squares in rows first, then attaching the four rows together created the front of the quilt.
I made sure to iron between each stage to keep the project looking neat.
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0785/0829/4472/files/4.-Rows2-1100x563-1_dbc234fe-8fd3-4e17-aef5-cd0652969a23.jpg?v=1711020398)
Next, some yellow fabric was cut in strips of 3 ½inches wide and attached to the edge of the butterfly front. Then I trimmed off the corners to create an accurate square.
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0785/0829/4472/files/6.-Trim-675x675-1_5a3c2b31-e01c-44e7-8fba-41d0e81c5d79.jpg?v=1711020409)
Creating a sandwich with the front of the quilt, the wadding and the back of the quilt was easy. I just had to make sure all those wrinkles were gone, and then baste it all into place. I dislike basting A LOT! However, it is an essential step to stop the fabrics moving and twisting in your machine whilst you are quilting.
*Basting is sewing long, removable stitches to hold layers of fabric together. It can also be called tacking. Its a good idea to use a contrasting colour from your project, as this will make it easier to remove once quilted.
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0785/0829/4472/files/7.-Sandwich2-1100x587-1_9db2471a-84b8-40d4-afe8-60e4bfb4d1d7.jpg?v=1711020419)
Using my sewing machine, I quilted either side of the squares' seams to create a checkered effect. Then on to the laborious task of sewing all those thread ends!
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0785/0829/4472/files/9.-Quilting-573x675-1_b5d6503e-a888-4d49-b3f0-372d14729bb8.jpg?v=1711020429)
Lastly, I made some 2 ½ inch binding with strips, 2 ½ Wide, in similar colours to my butterflies.
I machine sewed this on top of my quilt and then hand sewed it to the back to finish off.
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0785/0829/4472/files/10.-Binding-574x675-1_4fa610ee-4c77-4aa9-8b37-15e1e0fcc1a2.jpg?v=1711020440)
And there you have it, a beautiful butterfly quilt for your home, or to gift to a loved one!
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0785/0829/4472/files/11.-Chair-Quilt2-1-1100x633-1_b80a22f4-9a9d-4cd1-acb4-1f3cafb65de7.jpg?v=1711020450)
I look forward to see what you have made with my Garden Friends die! Please show us on Instagram by using the hashtag #mysizzixstory and tagging me @jennifer_ogborn_sizzix.
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Posted in
Home Decor, Tutorials & Inspiration