Stitch and Slash, A Method of Quilting

Stitch and Slash is a method of quilting invented by Carol Anne Waugh

Orange and Raspberry Sherbet

| Cindy Anderson

Another New Customer –

I had the awesome privilege of meeting yet another wonderful customer by the name of Pamela R. I made her acquaintance late in the summer of 2015. Pam was fairly new to the area. She had moved here after returning to the United States.

Small World –

When Pamela came for a visit she brought with her several very lovely wall hangings. The wall hangings were created using a method I was very familiar with. She followed the teachings of Carol Ann Waugh through her class called Stupendous Stitching.

I loved every single specimen she shared. There wasn’t a one that I wouldn’t mind hanging in my very own home. As Pamela shared her beautiful items I also had the opportunity to share projects that I had made by the same instructor through her class called Stitch & Slash. Sharing this common thread initiated a unique bond between the two of us.

We Continued On –

Pamela also brought with several quilts. One by one we removed them from her bag and examined their qualities. There was one quilt, in particular, that I instantly fell in love with. It’s the quilt I have named Orange & Raspberry Sherbet (more about the origin of the name later).

When Pamela unfolded and revealed its structure as well as the fabric’s colors I just couldn’t turn away. I found myself surveying every square inch, absorbing all of the patterns and details. There was nothing about the quilt that I did not like.

Which One –

While conversing with Pamela about the quilt I was secretly hoping this would be the one she would hire me to work with. However, Pamela had a different quilt in mind. The quilt was meant for a friend living outside the U.S. If we could coordinate its completion, with a possible opportunity for private transportation to the foreign country, she wanted that quilt to receive priority.

Pamela left that day with all of her belongings. Plans were made to receive the intended quilt sometime later.

Too Late –

The next time I talked with Pamela the window for transportation of the planned quilt to its foreign destination had closed. With that opportunity gone Pamela made the decision to let me work on the Orange & Raspberry Sherbet quilt instead. What a wonderful change of events.

Plans Were Made –

When next we got together we discussed the customary questions involved in planning a long arm quilting job. Pamela indicated that she had no preference toward the stitch patterns to be used. She did however, select a variegated King Tut thread to be used while quilting.

The Origin of the Name? –

The thread is the reason why I have nicknamed the quilt Orange & Raspberry Sherbet. Once I began stitching designs on Pamela’s quilt the thread instantly reminded of eating rainbow sherbet as a child. The pinks, oranges & yellows coordinated so perfectly that it was as if I had intentionally purchased this cone for her quilt.

A Blast! –

I had a blast working on Pamela’s project. The combination of the stitches, the yummy colors woven throughout the thread, along with the fabric all worked in unison to create a spectacular outcome.

It’s All Good! –

When Pamela and I met again she fell in love with her quilt all over again. Everything about the finished product was exactly as she would have wanted. Her overwhelming approval will hopefully serve as a launching pad for additional quilts to come my way.

Let’s See –

Let me introduce you to Pamela R’s Orange & Sherbet Quilt.

Vital Statistics:

  1. Quilt size = 65″ wide x 81″ Long
  2. Hours spent quilting = 9 hours and 49 minutes
  3. # of stitches applied = 276,322
  4. Thread color chosen = King Tut # 403 Harem
  5. Stitch patterns used = paisley, swirls, bubbles

Cindy Anderson of In A Stitch Quilting

Springtime in the Garden Mini Quilt

| Cindy Anderson

Stitch & Slash

Just because I am a quilter doesn’t mean it is the only thing I like to do. I’ve been a student of several Craftsy Classes. One of my all-time favorites is Stitch & Slash by Carol Ann Waugh. To-date I have successfully used the knowledge I gained to make two wall hangings. I will share one of them with you today.

Choosing The Fabrics

Part of the fun of creating a Stitch & Slash item is selecting the fabrics. Carol Ann does a wonderful job of presenting the color theory behind the thought process. She walks you through the analysis one must consider when not only choosing the colors and patterns of your fabrics but also the order in which they will be stacked.

For my project I chose four different fat quarters. I typically gravitate toward lively, vibrant colors so the four I chose definitely fit that trait. The most audacious of all was the loud blue, lime and black floral print showcased on a white background. Using this fabric as the jumping-off-point I selected colors to coordinate.

In What Order

With my four fabrics chosen it was time to decide in which order they would be stacked. One by one I auditioned each one as the main or bottom piece. After much consideration I arrived at the conclusion that the liveliest of them all would be the base. Next to be placed was a blue batik then a blue and white striped piece and the icing on the cake was a noisy lime green.

Choosing A Design

Long before contemplating my fabric selections I began visualizing both in my mind and on paper the stitch pattern I would use to secure my four layers together. The lines stitched, with my machine, would be like that of strokes made by the bristles of a brush. Designs from simple wavy lines to elaborate floral patterns were explored. My mind meandered through a trail that eventually came to rest on a simple combination of wavy lines and elongated circles. Having settled on a design it was time to sew my fabric sandwich together.

Let’s Begin

The Stitch & Slash technique utilizes two different stitches; structural and textural. The structural stitches are sewed on the backside of your fabric sandwich. The bonus of stitching from the back is that you can pre-mark your stitching lines/design using whatever marker you prefer and nobody will ever see them. The drawback or important thing to remember is that because you sew these lines from the backside your bobbin thread is what will be seen on the front. Make certain your bobbin thread is the color you would like to see and that your thread tension is adjusted properly.

Slash Away

Once my structural stitching was complete my piece was ready for slashing, decorative stitching and embellishments. If you would like to learn the steps and techniques used to complete those tasks you can purchase the class from Craftsy.

Decorating my projects, with embellishments, is one of my favorite things to do. I added decorative stitching, ricrac and buttons to mine. I also added stuffing in key areas to add a three-dimensional aspect.

Stuff It

Any type of stuffing can be used. Being a long-arm quilter I just happen to have a huge inventory of batting scraps. I use those as my stuffing. To add the stuffing I made a small slit on the backside, in the area where it would be placed. Next I gently coaxed the stuffing in between the stitched rows using a chop stick.

Time To Add A Binding

Once my stuffing was squeezed into place my project was ready for binding. I made binding from 2 1/2″ bias strips of fabric. I cut them on the bias because my piece had lots of curvy edges. Fabric cut on the bias is much more easily persuaded to form around those curves. Last to be added was a sleeve on the back to facilitate the hanging of my art piece.

My Finished Project

Well, there you have it. My finished Stitch & Slash masterpiece! I’m quite proud of the final outcome. I’ve named it Flowers In the Garden.

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Cindy Anderson of In A Stitch Quilting