October Workshop: Bernadette Falvey - Making Stained Glass without using Bias Binding

Bernadette Falvey, of Naomh Muire Quilters, gave a one day workshop on how to create a stained glass effect without the use of bias binding. First and foremost I would like to thank Bernadette for the hours of preparation she put into the class. There were six of us at the workshop and for each person she copied the pattern of a mermaid (comprising nearly 70 pieces) onto a black background (40x21”).

The method that Bernadette taught us was a quick technique of placing the appliqué shapes onto a background of black or other dark colour with a constant space between all the shapes so that the look of leading is actually seeing the background showing between the pieces.

We spent the first hour and a half of our Sunday morning therapeutically cutting the paper pattern pieces for our appliqué. We then cut the fabric pieces and backed them with steam-a-seam and placed these onto the background fabric.

Throughout the day Bernadette was on hand with advice on how to prevent the fabric edges from fraying, how to cut accurately and how to best place the pieces so as to keep the space between them even. Once the design is complete, Bernadette suggested that we layer it with wadding and backing fabric and quilt around each appliqué piece; thus securing them in place and emphasising the stained glass leading effect. She also asked us to name our mermaids as each one is an individual as can be seen from the photographs.

We all had a thoroughly enjoyable day cutting, ironing, chatting, drinking tea and eating leftover barnbrack from the October meeting. I would like to thank Bernadette again for all the preparation work she did for the class and for her excellent teaching.

 Annette

 Susan, Mary and Annette with their Mermaid Quilts.