Snippet Sensations Technique

The snippet technique has quickly become a favorite. This is truly painting with fabric. Check out Cindy Walter's quilt gallery using snippets. (Cindy is the creator of the snippet technique, by the way.) It is so easy to create an impressionistic-like quilt. Ever wished to quilt Monet's Water Lilies or Van Gogh's Starry Night? This is the method that can pull it off. The bad thing about this technique is that the quilt is for hanging on the wall or framing. It is definitely not for quilts used for snuggling.

Tools

1. First, you need Cindy Walter's book Snippet Sensations: Fast, Fusible Fabric Art for Quilted or Framed Projects. Cindy does a wonderful job explaining step-by-step what to do and she offers her own experiences with different tools and brands.
2. Assorted fabrics. Lots of different shades and prints. This is the perfect opportunity to use up your scrap stash. Avoid large prints.
3. Two-sided fusible web.
4. Iron and ironing surface.
5. Comfortable scissors. You will do a lot of cutting.

Technique

Cindy recommends thinking of the fabric as dabs of paint. You iron fusible web to the fabric and cut lots of pieces. You can create a limitless number of picture by arranging the "dabs" on a backing fabric.

Here is my attempt at the snippet technique and the picture I used for inspiration. I call it Romeo and Juliet in Central Park.

I haven't finished this quilt yet, only I am not happy with my choice of fabric colors and prints for the statues. The great thing about this technique is that if you do not like something, you can easily redo it. I'll post a before and after picture when I complete this one.

If you have tried snippets, I'd love to see your accomplishments!

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Quilts for Causes

There were terrible fires that ripped through Australia. There is an estimated death toll of 300 and over 5000 are homeless. You can read about them and see some sobering photos here. The quilting community in Australia is banning together to help those that have lost everything.

I have come across two different efforts to collect quilt blocks. Some wonderful ladies are volunteering their time and energy to collect the blocks, piece them together, and quilt them for those in need from the Australia bushfires. I do not have any personal relationship with either of these two ladies, so if you have questions about the collections, please contact them at the site links I've included.

The first is Carol Freedman. I discovered this effort here on Facebook. She is collecting 12" blocks. Several shops are donating the batting and backing fabric for the finished quilts. Her address is:
Carol Freedman
PO Box 243
Barnawartha Vic 3688
Australia

The other effort is called Bushfire Quilt Project, and they have a site on Flickr. Tia Curtis is asking for 12 1/2" Wonky Star blocks. The site has a very informative FAQ area and a link to a tutorial on making Wonky Star blocks (I just love saying "wonky"). Tia would like to have all blocks by the end of March. There are two mailing options. If you are in the US, send them to:
Tia Curtis
PSC 276 BOX 89
APO AP 96548 USA

or to:
Tia Curtis
18 Forrest Crescent
Gillen Suburb
Alice Springs, NT 0870
Australia

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