Free Bird Quilting Designs

Free Bird Quilting Designs

Mandalicious

by

My Madalicious quilt was an ambitious project that included cutting by hand, a huge number of appliqué pieces.

I decided a mandala in two parts would be more interesting that a full mandala and when it was finished it reminded me of the sun and the moon.

I used all Hoffman Me+you batiks which were perfect because of the tight weave of the fabric.

I used a clear monofilament thread for stitching them onto the background so I wouldn’t have to constantly change threads.

In the negative space on the quilt I decided to quilt a couple of ‘ghost’ mandalas to keep with the theme, for one I used coloured threads to highlight certain sections.

The quilt turned out exactly as I envisioned and I will definitely make a full mandala because they are quite addictive.

 

Comments

  1. Do you have a pattern available for Mandalicious? What a truly fantastic design! I am so inspired by it!
    Thanks So much!!

    • Hello Tracy,
      So sorry it has taken so long to reply to you, I have had an issue with my website.
      The mandalicious pattern is available as a download pattern in my shop and I will be adding it as a paper pattern in the next few weeks.
      The templates will also be added as an additional option to be posted.
      If you prefer you can ask your local quilt shop to order it from Checkers Distribution.
      Best wishes
      Carolyn Murfitt
      Free Bird Quilting Designs

  3. Doyou have a kit foy sale for mandalicious. If so what is price or where can kit and pattern be purchased

    • Hello Deborah,
      So sorry it has taken so long to reply to you, I have had an issue with my website.
      The mandalicious pattern is available as a download pattern in my shop and I will be adding it as a paper pattern in the next few weeks.
      The templates will also be added as an additional option to be posted.
      If you prefer you can ask your local quilt shop to order it from Checkers Distribution.
      Best wishes
      Carolyn Murfitt
      Free Bird Quilting Designs

  4. I saw this quilt at Quilt Market in Portland Oregon. I’ve been looking for the pattern. Where is it available for purchase in canada?

    • Hello Mavis,
      So sorry it has taken so long to reply to you, I have had an issue with my website.
      The mandalicious pattern is available as a download pattern in my shop and I will be adding it as a paper pattern in the next few weeks.
      The templates will also be added as an additional option to be posted.
      If you ask your local quilt shop to order it from Checkers Distribution if you prefer.
      Best wishes
      Carolyn Murfitt
      Free Bird Quilting Designs

    • Hello Kathy,
      So sorry I haven’t replied to you sooner, I have had a problem with my website.
      Yes, the mandalicious pattern is available as a download pattern in my shop and I will be adding it as a paper pattern in the next few weeks.
      The templates will also be added as an additional option to be posted.
      Best wishes
      Carolyn Murfitt
      Free Bird Quilting Designs

  6. it’s very beautiful and I purchased the pattern.

    for the appliqués, did you do raw edge or turned edge? I think the pattern is for raw edge, correct? If I turned the edges under the pieces would be smaller?

    If it’s raw edge, did you do anything to protect the edges from fraying?

    • Hello Lisa, for this pattern I used the raw edge appliqué technique. You would need to sew around each piece at least twice to stop the appliqué piece from fraying. You could definitely use the needle turn technique for this quilt pattern, just cut a 1/4 inch allowance around each piece to be turned under.

      thank you Carolyn

  7. Stunning quilt.did you sew each piece onto the grey background fabric and then quilt it or did you stitch each piece while quilting onto the background fabric?

  8. Hi Carolyn, this is a truly fabulous quilt and pattern – well done you! I haven’t had a go at raw edge quilting and I might try it on this pattern but I have a couple of questions…. I recently bought a while roll of Heat and bond lite. Would that be okay on the batik fabrics for this pattern. Also if the raw edge – sewn twice around – okay for a bed quilt and does it stand up to the occasional wash or is raw edge quilting only really okay for wall hangings that don’t get washed? I just feel a bit nervous about all that fabulous work looking like a frayed mess if it goes in the wash!

    Also could I make the garland quilt using raw-edged technique as per Mandalicious? Or would you recommend the faced-applique technique for that design?
    Thanks so much
    Mandy

    • Hello Amanda,

      The heat and bond lite should be fine for this quilt, I have not actually used it myself, so if you have any doubts, just use a scrap piece of fabric and make an appliqué piece, iron it on to another scrap piece, sew on and then wash a couple of times, give it a test run.

      I think the raw edge could definitely be used for a bed quilt as long as you sew around the appliqué at least twice and as close to the edge as you can get. The batik fabric is perfect for raw edge because it is not likely to fray.

      I have made the flowering wreath quilt as a raw edge quilt as well, its the https://www.freebirdquiltingdesigns.com.au/spring-mischief-flowering-wreath-quilt/ it was very successful.

      Let me know if I can assist you further.

      Best wishes
      Carolyn
      Free Bird Quilting Designs