Thursday 18 February 2010

Felt applique quilt


This felt applique bedspread from The Book of Creative Crafts (1978, Octopus Books) is a wonder to behold. The quilt motifs are taken from 18th and 19th century stencil and patchwork patterns, and then worked in brightly coloured felt. The headboard is made out of more felt applique: some of the motifs have been gently stuffed to give a 3D effect.


The naive style of the stencils, coupled with the brightly-coloured 1970s felt, makes for a colourful folk art explosion - I think I'd find it quite hard to sleep in this bed.

Felt is easier than other fabrics to use in applique, because you don't have to turn over the raw edges, but even so, designing, cutting, and hand-sewing 56 squares full of peacocks, strawberries, flowers and maidens to complete your bedspread is a big undertaking. What a bedspread...

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