The Painted Quilt

     I have to apologize for taking so long to follow up on this project.  The painting took me two days to complete, and since then I've been trying to force myself to do the quilting.  I hate the quilting process.  I finally decided I wasn't in the mood for quilting it,(I have at least 6 completed tops in this stage) and decided it was time to post the instructions.  I truly admire applique quilts, but don't have the patience to complete one, especially since I don't like them machine sewn.Hence, the painted quilt.

      I chose Nancy Cabot patterns for this.  I only had 12 designs, so I scaled them to a 14" block. To me, a quilt is something to sleep under and with a 14" block, it could be used as a single or a lap quilt.   If I were to do it again, I'd stay with a 12" block

Materials:  Background fabric cut to block size plus seam allowance

                 Acrylic Paints

                 Textile Medium

                 Assorted brushes, I found that flat brushes worked best

                 Newspapers

          .  I prefer the Ceramcoat brand of acrylic paints, but any kind will do.  The Textile Medium is not absolutely necessary, but it does give an even, free flowing consistency to the paint.  The beauty of this method is that you can paint the blocks in solid colors, or you can shade  and over paint to form patterns that resemble fabric.

      Transfer the designs to the background blocks.  Place the block on a pad of newspaper.  The paint will bleed through and leave paint on the paper, so be careful if you move the block or you will pick up any wet paint from the paper.  Upon completion of the block, remove it from the paper immediately to keep it from sticking to the block..



      Squeeze the paint onto a palette, (I use a plastic throwaway  plate)  Add enough textile medium  1 part medium to 2 parts \paint, or until you have a smooth consistency that's not too thin.  Fill flat brush thoroughly with paint.  If desired dip one edge into shading color and work brush slightly to blend colors.  Apply to design. 

      Remove block from paper and spread out to dry on a plastic bag.  Allow to dry 8-4 hours.  Heat set with medium temperature iron.  The blocks can be washed at this point if desired.