Midnight Magic!

October''s challenge project for Island Batik Ambassadors was to create a piece any size, using any of the fabric they sent, using paper piecing.  We were given leeway to choose either foundation piecing, or English Paper Piecing (EPP). 

I decided to go with paperless paper piecing, also known as freezer paper piecing. It's a method I taught last year at our Nova Scotia Fibre Arts Festival.  I decided this would be a good time to write and release the pattern for my original design, called "Midnight Magic".

The construction method varies a bit from traditional paper piecing, in that you do not sew through the lines on your freezer paper, but rather beside the lines. 

The shiny side of the paper adheres to your fabric as you work, so no pins or glue stick required to keep things in place. This method produces the same sharp, perfect points as traditional paper piecing...but there is no messy paper to remove afterwards.  You simply peel off the freezer paper foundation from the fabric, and set it aside to be reused a second, third, and even a fourth time. It does feel good to make it to the top of the swoosh!

I chose fabrics from the "Basics" line by Island Batik. We were also supplied with plain black, which I used to cut the silhouette shapes. This gorgeous red looks fabulous against the light blue, and there is no mistaking who is the red streak across our midnight sky. 

The moon, as well as Santa's sleigh and reindeer, are machine appliquéd using Aurifil monofilament thread.

For the batting, I used a piece of Hobbs wool/cotton blend left over from last month's twinkle quilt.

I chose a holographic thread from Mrs Pugsley's Emporium to stitch wild, flowing feathers freehand up both sides.  I like the sparkle it adds to the magical night sky.

12 weight Aurifil is perfect for stitching the details of reins, antlers, and Rudolph's nose.

Not sure if you can see, but I also added more of the holographic thread in red up through the centre of the geese.

As always, my sincerest gratitude goes to Cheryl Coville, for her help with editing the pattern.  The pattern is available in print form, from my website, and soon to be in stock locally at Mrs Pugsley's Emporium.

Thank you to Island Batik, Hobbs Bonded Fibres, and Aurifil thread for supplying the products used in this wallhanging.