Hey everyone. Today we're making a cozy wall hanging quilt, and you'll learn how one textured plush fabric can warm up a whole wall.
Meet the fabric first
This is the Artichoke Luxe Cuddle Wild Rabbit 58"/60" Fabric per yard from Shannon Fabrics. It's a Cuddle Fabric in the Luxe Cuddle family.
Two words come up for this one, folks. Complex and rustic. That sounds fancy, I know. But really, it just feels warm and friendly.
Here is what makes it different. It has a unique, almost marbled, embossed texture. That texture mimics the hide of a rabbit. It adds depth and sophistication to a simple shape.
The color here is Artichoke. That's a soft green tone. It sits easy with wood, cream, and warm neutrals.
Here are the real numbers. It's 100% polyester. It's 58"/60" wide. That wide cut can cover our whole front.
Shannon notes this fabric works for quilts to wearable scarves. So a wall hanging quilt? Right in its wheelhouse. We're not reinventing the wheel here.
The project: a rustic wall hanging quilt
A wall hanging quilt is a small quilt made for the wall. Ours finishes at about 36" by 48". Big enough to notice. Small enough to finish in a weekend.
Why does this fabric suit it? A wall piece is all about texture. Up close, that marbled embossing does the work for you. You don't need busy piecing. One panel shows it off best.
We'll keep the quilting simple, too. A few echo lines and some stitch in the ditch. That holds the layers together. And it lets the fabric stay the star. Super duper easy.
Materials list
- 1 1/2 yards Artichoke Luxe Cuddle Wild Rabbit — for the front, with room to trim
- 1 1/2 yards quilting cotton — for the backing and hanging sleeve
- Low-loft batting, at least 40" by 52"
- Matching polyester thread
- 90/14 stretch or ballpoint needle
- Walking foot, long pins or clips, and a long ruler
- Wooden dowel or flat hanging stick, about 34" long
Brief steps
First, let your fabric relax flat. Then cut the front at 37" by 49". Cut from the back side when you can. Your lines stay visible. Shake it outside once. Cuddle fluff gets everywhere. Just like that, your table stays cleaner.
Second, check the pile direction. Run your hand across the fabric. One way feels smoother. Mark the top with a pin. You want that texture running the same way, top to bottom.
Third, build your sandwich. Lay the backing right side down. Add the batting. Add the Cuddle front right side up. Smooth from the center out. Pin every 4 to 5 inches.
Fourth, quilt it simply. Start in the center and travel outward. Try stitch in the ditch along an imaginary center line. Then echo that line every 4 inches. Use a walking foot and a 3.0 to 3.5mm stitch length. Slow down here, or the plush can shift under the foot.
Fifth, trim the piece to a clean 36" by 48". Square your corners with a ruler. Take your time. A clean trim makes the binding much easier.
Sixth, bind it in your favorite way. You can use backing cotton strips, cut at 2 1/2" wide. Or fold the backing forward as a self binding. Completely up to you. I prefer the cotton strips here. They frame that Artichoke green really really nice.
Seventh, add the hanging sleeve. Cut a cotton strip 8" wide by 35" long. Hem the short ends. Fold it lengthwise and sew it to the back top edge. Leave the bottom edge open for the dowel. Tie off your threads neatly.
Practical tips from my table
Hang it away from direct sun. That keeps any fabric looking its best longer. A quick dusting with a lint roller helps, too. The raised texture can catch a little dust over time.
Step back often while you quilt. From a few feet away, you see the echo lines better.
I'll admit my mistake here. I once sewed a sleeve on upside down. The dowel had nowhere to go. Oh my goodness. The fix was simple. I took out that one seam, flipped the sleeve, and sewed it again.
Your hanging does not have to be perfect. If one quilting line wobbles a little, it wobbles a little. You're your own worst critic. Take your time, it's not a race.
If I can do this, y'all can do it. Pick a wall that needs a little warmth. Let that soft green texture do the talking.
Alrighty. Thanks for sewing along with me today. We'll see you next time. Bye.
Shop the Artichoke Luxe Cuddle Wild Rabbit 58"/60" Fabric per yard at Linda's Electric Quilters.
