Did you know that even if you dont sew you can create quilts? Although you need to sew to make quilts for your bed you dont have to sew to make quilts for your refrigerator! Thats right. If you love the country look of quilts you can easily make some to display on the fridge or other metallic surfaces. All you need is some magnetic sheeting, cardboard, cloth and cotton.
You will decide how small you want each quilt block to be. Although you likely wouldnt choose to make huge quilt blocks for the refrigerator you can make them really tiny or much larger. No matter what size you choose youll need to cut every quilt block exactly the same size.
Although making real quilts requires the crafter to cut squares from fabric youll cut your quilt blocks from thick cardboard. Use one large piece, draw out the individual squares, then cut. The cut on the cardboard squares must be exact. After youve cut all the cardboard squares you need youll begin turning them into real quilt blocks for your refrigerator. To do this youll need to cut a fabric square for each cardboard piece. Cut the cloth so that it is 3/4" larger, all the way around, than the cardboard squares. Each fabric square does not have to match the others. Combine two or three different fabrics, to make the design you want, or make each square completely different using scraps you already have. The finished design is all your own. If you attach the fabric to the cardboard pieces they wont look fluffy like a quilt. To make each square look soft and full use a piece of stuffing between the cardboard and the fabric. The stuffing can be cotton balls, foam, or even wadded bathroom tissue. Since this quilt wont be laundered you can use any number of things for the stuffing. If you use craft foam to stuff the quilt blocks, each will look the same, but if you use something like cotton balls you might have to work with it to get each quilt block to be the same thickness. If youve completed the quilt block, then you see some adjustment is needed to the stuffing, simply use a straight pin or needle to work the stuffing into its proper position. To make each quilt block lay one cardboard piece on a table. Position the stuffing on top of the cardboard. If you need to you can glue the stuffing to the cardboard to keep it stable while attaching the cloth. Position the fabric square over the stuffing then hold it in place while you flip the whole block over. Use masking tape - or even Scotch tape - to hold the fabric in place. Using hot glue will make it difficult to lay the magnetic sheeting flat against the cardboard. Other adhesives can be used but may take some time to dry. If you use ordinary glue you can use clothes pins to hold the fabric in place while it dries. When doing this, though, youll usually need to adjust the stuffing with a needle or pin, after removing the clothes pins. Magnetic sheeting is sold by the sheet, or by the roll, at most any craft store. Cut squares from the sheeting to attach to the back of your quilt blocks. The magnetic sheet piece should be slightly smaller than the actual cardboard backing. Place your finished quilt blocks, in any pattern you wish, on the fridge. Place one block on each corner, or push them together to make a small quilt in the center. How you display the finished quilt, or quilt blocks, is up to you. The blocks can be attached to small appliances, oven doors or even filing cabinets. If you love quilts youll really enjoy displaying the new magnetic one youve made. Dont be surprised, though, if you see that all your friends and family members suddenly have new quilts - and not on their beds!
