The adventures of a paper quilt

Several years ago (in 2012, to be exact) a picture caught my eye in Country Living magazine. I became smitten with the idea of creating a quilt using paper.  Making a real fabric quilt, with all the fabric choices, precise cutting and sewing and whatnot, is just overwhelming to me  . . . but paper is doable. And less costly. And I have a lot of it. And it is only an 18" square.

Although the color palette wasn't one I would choose, it seemed fresh, crisp and summery.

With directions included, there was no holding me back.  Always intrigued by the process involved in the making, I embraced the challenge of trying to do this one. You can see the blog where this project is mentioned at  Linda & Harriet. While there do browse through their archived projects.

The Linda & Harriet blog has moved since this project was published in Country Living, so more recent projects can be seen HERE.

 When I came across my paper quilt recently and decided to share the project, I no longer had that particular issue of Country Living magazine (trashed in a fit of decluttering). Using my finely tuned L.L.S. (Lifelong Librarian Skills),  the details were located online in that amazing place we call  cyberspace. Below is the design diagram.
 

Rather than agonizing over colors to choose for this paper quilt, coincidentally a paper pad I had on hand contained a perfect grouping of  colors for this project. Bought to make dresses for paper dolls (more on that another time), I was able to closely replicate the colors shown in the original.

 I selected the papers and started cutting the number of  2 inch squares of each color as specified in the diagram. The piece of poster board had been cut to 20" x 20" to allow for a 1 inch border around the design. The center of the poster board was located and some placement lines had been faintly drawn in pencil. Out came the Mod Podge and assembly of the design began.

This was the final result. Not bad, but definitely not perfect. I wouldn't call it an epic fail, but . . . it's not hanging on my wall anywhere.  (You did notice I wrote "when I came across my paper quilt recently".)  Being somewhat of a perfectionist has its disadvantages. Sigh.

I learned quite a few lessons from my initial foray into paper quilting. 

Lesson #1: the squares must be exactly (and I mean exactly) 2 inches square - just like a fabric quilt. Some of mine weren't, so I fudged. At times a striped square would have white at its edge so it kind of merged with the white background and could be coaxed into looking the way it should.

Lesson #2: I would follow the directions and use the right materials. This means a glue stick rather than Mod Podge for adhering the paper to the base. I think rubber cement would also work well. The Mod Podge was a bit too wet, rippling the paper and making my fingers stick to the paper squares, raising a host of other issues. Since I has no glue sticks on hand and had planned to coat the quilt top with Mod Podge, I thought it would be OK.  It wasn't.

Also, the directions specified illustration board as the base, which is about the thickness of mat board, and considerably heftier than the poster board I had on hand. Foam core board would probably have been a good choice, too.

Lesson #3: I would use something other than pencil for the placement lines. They smudged and didn't erase well even though I used a very light touch. I will hunt around for something better before I make another.

For the future,  I think I would choose a stretched canvas for the base, thereby negating the need for framing. The quilt on canvas could be hung on the wall as is and look great. If the edges need something, they can be painted or trimmed with paper strips, washi tape, or ribbon.

If any of you are inspired to create this paper quilt (it actually is fairly uncomplicated), just remember to choose papers with the color value or intensity similar to those in the diagram.  And make use of my lessons!

I am planning to make another paper quilt one of these days . . . for myself using reds and taupes inspired by my French General sewing collage, or maybe someday for a little person.

Cheers!