#45 Fuzzy Fish

#45: Fuzzy Fish
Finished: 11/11/12
Techniques: Chenille Effect
Size: 16 1/2" x 13"

Description: The chenille effect is created by stacking several layers of fabric having the same design, then stitching on the diagonal and cutting on the bias. For this mini-quilt, I used five layers with the bottom-most layer cut a little longer and wider than the others. Because I needed five pieces of the same design, I relied on my ever-present fish fabric. Once I stitched on the diagonal, it was relatively easy to cut the fabric by having the lowest layer a little bigger than the other layers. It assured that I wouldn't accidentally cut through all the layers.

The sewing, then, was fast and the cutting was simple. The final stage is to wash the mini-quilt to make the chenille "bloom". This proved to be the most frustrating part. I have a front loading washer, which is designed to be gentler on clothes than a top loading machine. Hence, there wasn't enough agitation to  really make the chenille bloom. It did bloom somewhat, but even after several washings and dryings, it hasn't bloomed as much as I'd hoped. I even tried brushing the chenille and agitating it further by hand. I suppose if I keep trying, it may improve.  If it does, I'll re-post and let you know.