Hey everyone! Today you are going to learn how to turn a rich navy paisley batik into a classic wall hanging that makes a whole room feel finished.
Meet the fabric
This one is the Blue Navy Paisley Batik Cotton from PBS Fabrics.
It is 100% cotton.
The width of fabric is 44/45 inches.
It was made by Paintbrush Studio Fabrics.
The print is a paisley in blue and navy.
The fabric class here is batik.
The product notes call it a lightweight quilting cotton.
It tends to hold its shape even after being washed.
That is a big deal for a wall piece.
You want it to hang flat.
It is sold by the yard, so you can buy just what your wall needs.
Why it suits a wall hanging
A wall hanging is a small quilt for your wall.
No bed to make.
It just gets to be art.
Paisley is perfect for that.
Up close, you see all those lovely curves.
Across the room, the navy reads calm and classic.
It works in a hallway, above a desk, or in an entry.
And because this cotton holds its shape, your corners stay square.
Your edges stay nice and crisp after pressing.
Completely up to you how big you go.
I like about 24 by 32 inches for a first one.
Big enough to notice, small enough to finish in a weekend.
Materials list
- Blue Navy Paisley Batik Cotton — 1 yard for a hanging about 24 by 32 inches, with extra for a border or a test block
- Batting — one piece about 28 by 36 inches, cut about 2 inches larger than your top on all sides
- Backing fabric — 1 yard of a coordinating cotton
- Binding — 1/4 yard, cut into 2 1/2-inch strips, about 120 inches total for this size
- Hanging sleeve fabric — one strip about 4 by 22 inches
- A wooden dowel or slim rod about 22 inches long, plus two small hooks for the wall
- Thread — I reach for a 50-weight cotton for piecing and binding
- A fresh needle — an 80/12 or 90/14 quilting needle is a good starting point
- Pins, a ruler, a marking tool, and a rotary cutter or scissors
Brief steps
Step 1: Press and look. Press the batik well. Lay it flat. Turn it a few ways and watch the paisley. Pick the direction you like best.
Step 2: Cut your center. For my size, cut one center panel about 20 1/2 by 28 1/2 inches. That leaves room for a simple border. If you want no border, just cut the full top at 24 1/2 by 32 1/2 inches. Just like that, you are ready.
Step 3: Add a border if you want one. Cut border strips 2 1/2 inches wide. Sew the sides first, press out, then add top and bottom. Use a steady 1/4-inch seam.
Step 4: Make your sandwich. Backing face down. Batting in the middle. Top face up. Smooth from the center out. Pin every 4 to 5 inches. A flat sandwich makes flat quilting.
Step 5: Quilt it simply. Echo the paisley curves freehand if you feel brave. Or stitch in the ditch around the border. Or do a gentle meander across the center. We are not reinventing the wheel here. Start in the middle and travel out.
Step 6: Bind and sleeve it. Trim the sandwich square. Sew on your binding and stitch it down on the back. Then sew that 4-inch sleeve strip into a tube, press it flat, and hand stitch it to the back, just below the top binding. Leave the ends open for the dowel.
Practical tips from my table
Prewash or not? Completely up to you.
If you do wash it, wash the backing the same way.
That way everything shrinks together, nice and even.
Press batik from the back if it feels waxy at first.
Go slow around tight paisley curves when you quilt.
Slow down or you will fight the needle, and nobody needs that.
Check your sleeve before you call it done.
Slide the dowel in and hold it up.
I hung my first one a full inch crooked.
I laughed, I moved one hook, and it was fine.
Here is the permission part, folks.
It does not have to be perfect.
You are your own worst critic, I promise.
Your family will see a beautiful navy hanging.
They will not be grading your corners.
It is not a race.
If I can do this, y'all can do it.
Thank you so much for sewing along with me today.
We'll see you next time. Bye.
Shop the Blue Navy Paisley Batik Cotton 44"/45" Fabric Per Yard at Linda's Electric Quilters.
