St Patrick's Day Wallhanging

Re-sharing a post from two years ago, as tomorrow is St. Patrick's Day! At that time, I was in need of a St. Patrick's Day wall hanging, so I opened EQ7, and designed away, using the guild's Block of the Month block as inspiration (those in the corners).

And I wanted to experiment with fusible bias strips, because I had taken a class on constructing them, discovering they were pretty easy to do. Designing the Celtic knots for the borders, though, was done using old fashioned paper, pencil, and circle templates.

Making these knots is not as complicated as you think, and if you've never done it, here's how.

Required items are: a teflon sheet, pattern, fusible bias tape maker (I used the 1/4"), and 5mm fusible web, tape, and pins.

Start by making the fusible bias strip. I cut bias strips a smidge (1/16") larger than the recommended 1/2" because my fabric would not fold over enough. Experiment with a size strip that will allow both cut edges to meet in the center. Attach the end of the strip to an ironing surface, and using a slow, steady movement of the iron, fuse the fusible down to the strip as it comes out of the tool.

Position the paper knot pattern under a teflon sheet, securing the sheet down with tape or pins (I use tape as I don't want to punch of holes in my teflon sheet!).

Before ironing a bias piece down, check that it's long enough to reach to a junction. It just has to go to the crossover junction, not all the way through the design. Cut the length needed, but don't throw away the little pieces--they can come in handy for short segments of the pattern.

Starting at one end of the design, pin or tape down the beginning of the strip, and iron down the fusible bias tape onto the teflon sheet, following the pattern. Now, the trick with Celtic knots is to have them weave over and under.

In the above picture, the piece to the left needs to go under.

It's cut right at the middle of the 'over' piece, so that it can slip underneath, and a longer piece can then butt up to it, finishing the design until the next 'under' junction.

Continue following the pattern, paying attention to the over/under sequence.

When it's all done, peel the piece up from the teflon sheet for fusing onto the fabric.

For placement, lightly press centering marks in the fabric, and line up the knot on those marks. Fuse following manufacturer directions.

Using your favorite applique stitch and thread choice, stitch around both edges of the strips. When approaching an intersection, continue to stitch on those pieces going over, but stop stitching and jump over on those pieces going under. Here's a closeup of the stitching: