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These pretty birds are my creation out of necessity ~ my mother embroidered each and every butterfly on this quilt specifically for my daughter, and it's the most incredible quilt I've ever seen!
I'd be devastated if my 2-yr old daughter snagged a thread or spilled some juice on it, so I searched high and low for some product to display it, to no avail.
Unfortunately, the market for quilt holders is slim-to-none, and so I came up with the idea of these tattoo-style swallows holding the quilt up on the wall for all to see!
(FYI: This process will take approximately 5 days [including paint-drying time], and requires a band saw, acrylic paint, printer (color not necessary), dremel or hand-held drill, clothespins, eye hooks, framer's wire, and small screws. Pliers also help. Oh yes, and a nice quilt to hang is good, too!)
I'd be devastated if my 2-yr old daughter snagged a thread or spilled some juice on it, so I searched high and low for some product to display it, to no avail.
Unfortunately, the market for quilt holders is slim-to-none, and so I came up with the idea of these tattoo-style swallows holding the quilt up on the wall for all to see!
(FYI: This process will take approximately 5 days [including paint-drying time], and requires a band saw, acrylic paint, printer (color not necessary), dremel or hand-held drill, clothespins, eye hooks, framer's wire, and small screws. Pliers also help. Oh yes, and a nice quilt to hang is good, too!)
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Signing UpStep 1Find, copy, and cut out a Swallow
First, choose a simple old school swallow/ sparrow image from Google Images and print it out on a regular sheet of paper. Trace or freehand it onto a piece of wood. You might even come across the designs I used here!
I used scrap pieces of wood, so I had to be sure to omit all the knots, but you can really buy or use any piece of wood, of any thickness.
Once the edges were cut with a band saw (thanks to my talented husband!), I gently sanded down the rough edges and then I went back over the pencil lines with a black pen [see picture].
I used scrap pieces of wood, so I had to be sure to omit all the knots, but you can really buy or use any piece of wood, of any thickness.
Once the edges were cut with a band saw (thanks to my talented husband!), I gently sanded down the rough edges and then I went back over the pencil lines with a black pen [see picture].
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Now, for a small warning. You'll want to finish all the wood that might come in contact with a quilt. Wood has a tendency to stain fabric the longer it is in contact. Be sure to let the varnish, paint, clear coat, or polyacrylic dry completely before attaching it to the quilt, too.
Links:
http://www.comfycountrycreations.com/quiltcare.htm
"As paper and wood age, they release fabric-destroying chemicals."
http://www.woodenimagesbyphillip.com/
"Polyacrylic is the best finish for preventing wood from staining cloth."