Download PDF

Birds of Paradise Wall Quilt with Redwork Embroidery

For this summer-themed wall quilt, we used the embroidery designs from the Tropical Bird Sets I and II.

The finished quilt measures about 35" x 35".

Click to enlarge

You will need cotton quilting fabrics (we prefer batiks) of the following colors:

light cream for the blocks with embroidery - 1/2 yard,
green - 1 yard for sashing, borders and binding,
scraps of pale batiks - yellow, pink, blue, lilac, you will need enough for 96 squares measuring 2 1/2" x 2 1/2".

You will also need batting and fabric for the backing.

For embroidery, besides embroidery threads (either polyester or rayon), you will need medium-weight cut-away stabilizer.

Cutting:

Out of cream fabric, cut 9 rectangles measuring 6 1/2" x 8 1/2
Out of green fabric cut

18 strips measuring 1 1/2" x 8 1/2";
16 squares measuring 2 1/2" x 2 1/2";
2 strips measuring 3" x 32 1/2" and 2 strips measuring 3" x 38 1/2" (we usually cut the borders 1 - 1 1/2" wider then the finished size)
The rest of the fabric should be cut into 2 1/2" wide strips for the binding.

Out of scraps, cut squares measuring 2 1/2" x 2 1/2". You will need 96 squares of pastel colors. Alternatively, you can use strips measuring 2 1/2" x 8 1/2" of different pastel hues. You will need 24 strips.

Assembly:

Note: Seam allowance is 1/4". Please don't forget to press every seam after you have made it.

Sew the green 1 1/2" x 8 1/2" strips to the left and right edges of the 6 1/2" x 8 1/2" rectangles.

Sew the pastel squares into 24 strips, 4 squares in each strip. If you chose to use strips instead of squares, you can skip this step.

Sew the 4 pastel strips and 3 blocks together into a row. Make 3 rows like this.

Sew the remaining strips and green squares into sashing rows. Make 4 sashing rows.

Sew the sashing rows and the block rows together:

Sew the 3" x 32 1/2" green strips to the upper and lower edges of the quilt.

Sew the 3" x 38 1/2" green strips to the left and right edges of the quilt.

Embroidery:

Stabilize each block with medium-weight cut-away stabilizer one by one and make embroidery in each block.

Please watch that the weight of the quilt is supported by the table when embroidering. If it hangs, its weight can move the carriage and displace the embroidery or even damage the embroidery machine.

Quilting and Finishing:

Now place the backing on a flat surface (table) face down. Cover with batting stabilizer and spread your working piece over it.

Pin all three layers together with 1" pins.

We quilted around the embroidery and all over the quilt in a free-motion style. Remove the pins while working.

Press the work with heavy steam and square the work -- all corners should be 90 degrees and opposite sides should be of the same length.

Finish the raw edges with binding.