Green Apple Mosaic Quilt

Use modern software to create a colorful folk-art-inspired quilt. This green apple will look just as delicious hanging from your wall or on a bed as it would at the fruit stand. Download printable instructions and templates.

Materials:

• Quilted Photo Express software from Mosaic Quilt Studio
• Personal Computer with a printer
• Baby Lock Jewel with Grace Pinnacle frame
• Grace Start Right Leader cloths
• Image file of a green apple
• Rotary cutter mat and ruler
• All-purpose thread to match fabrics
• Fabrics as directed by software
• Fusible gridded interfacing
• Warm & Natural cotton batting
• Backing fabric
• Fabric for borders and binding
• Clover white marking pen
• Blue water erase marking pen
• Assorted colors of decorative thread

Tools:

• Baby Lock sewing machine
• Baby Lock 1/4” foot with guide
• Baby Lock longarm machine and frame

Steps:

1. With Quilted Photo Express loaded onto your computer open the image file into Quilted Photo Express.

2. Adjust the photo details fabric quantity printer resolution print square size and color palette as desired.

3. Print the palette for the design. Select fabrics according to the hue and value of the colors in the color palette.

4. Print the pattern for the design.

5. Cut the fabrics into blocks (for this quilt we used 2” blocks). Stack the fabric into separate piles according to color

6. Lay a gridded fusible interfacing with the fusible side up across the printed pattern.

7. Match the color blocks according to the printed pattern. Align several rows and then fuse in place.

8. Thread the machine with all-purpose thread and attach the 1/4” foot with a guide. Select a straight stitch.

9. Once the rows of one section are fused stitch the rows and columns together using a 1/4” seam allowance.

10. Press the section. Repeat this process for the remaining sections

11. Once all the sections are stitched and pressed stitch the sections together to form the complete image.

12. Measure the width and length of your finished image

13. For the border strips cut strips of fabric 6” wide and slightly longer than the measurements from the previous step

14. Attach the side strips first then the top and bottom. Press.

15. Load fabric onto Pinnacle frame using the leader cloths with the batting on the lowest rod pieced top on the next and the backing on the top rod.

16. Bring the quilt top and batting up and over the backing fabric and secure to the leader cloth on the take up rod.

17. On this quilt the thread was changed often as the variations of color in the background changed.

18. Using the optional thread stand allows you to use smaller/ standard spools of thread.

    1. This attachment saves lots of time because you do not have to reach or walk around to the back of the machine every time you change color.

19. Another option is to use monofilament thread and not worry about changing colors depending on the use of the quilt and how much it will be washed.

20. Sketch leaf designs on dressmaker’s tissue. When sketching the leaves think about the imperfections of real leaves such as leaves with caterpillars munching on them.

    1. By adding in some leaves with a bite out of them it gives a more realistic look to the design.

21. Cut out the leaves and transfer them to the quilt using the blue marker or your preferred marking method.

22. The apple leaves will not show up with a single quilting line especially with a stickery feeling to the edge of the leaf.

    1. To accomplish this look up/down and side to side motion was used to get enough quilting to show without it overdoing it into looking like crewel work or satin stitching.

23. The apple basket coordinated with the quilt theme and was added to be a fun way to change up the quilting while adding interest in the lower part of the quilt.

24. It was quilted it in same color family as that part of the background apple hoping to keep it subtle.

25. The basket was also sketched on dressmaker’s tissue cut out and then transferred it to the quilt using the blue marker.

26. For the words measured the width and length of the borders. Draft the letters on graft paper to fill the space accordingly.

    1. Then cut them out and trace around them onto the black border using the Clover white marking pen. It’s so easy to apply and steams right out when you’re finished.

27. The inspiration for the quilting filler within the letters came from the thought that perhaps “Green Apples 5¢” might be written on old barn board signs.

28. Smaller apples and bees finish off the quilting. Make sketches as before cut them out and sprinkled them throughout the border.

    1. Once you have a pleasing arrangement draw them with the white pen.

29. Once the quilting is complete remove the quilt from the frame

30. Lightly press or steam the edges. Trim all layers to square up the quilt.

31. Attach a rod pocket to the top back of the quilt.

32. Bind the edges in a matching or coordinating color.