Skip to content
Q is For Quilter
Menu
  • Quilts
  • Quilt Patterns
  • Embroidery
  • Embroidery Patterns
  • WIPs
  • Children’s Books
  • Aprons
  • Other Needlework
  • Crafts
  • Vintage Finds
Menu

Halloween Table Topper – WIP

Posted on May 7, 2010August 25, 2013 by Martha

This project originated with a Flickr image of a 5″ vintage Halloween paper doily.  I loved this image so much and thought it had potential as a table topper.  I blew up the image and tile printed it to create the main pattern which is about 36″ in diameter.  It took a little thinking and testing to come up with a technique for applying the figures.  Originally, I thought that I would applique and embroider the cloth, but the details were just too tiny and the curves too sharp.  Then I thought about felt, but it was too fuzzy.  Finally, I just used a tightly woven cotton for all the colors.  The jack-o-lantern is reinforced with pellon and then zig-zag stitched to the background.  All of the other character pieces are attached with Steam-a-Seam2, and the details drawn with a Prismacolor black pencil.  Originally I was worried that the topper would not be machine washable, but I can live with that.  It’s not something that will be used very often.

The process of all the cutting and iron-gluing has been kind of fun and different for me — something I haven’t done in years.  It’s now about half done, and I’m really liking it.

Here’s the original coaster.

Here is my topper so far. I can see now from these photos that I need to darken the lines on the skeleton, so I think I’ll go over them again with a black fabric marker.

 

UPDATE:  The completed Halloween Topper can be seen here.

11 thoughts on “Halloween Table Topper – WIP”

  1. barbara says:
    May 7, 2010 at 4:31 pm

    Martha – are you kidding me? That is unbelievably wonderful. I did not comprehend the directions (I wasn’t really trying) but I think I need to learn everything you know so I can make one of those.

    Reply
  2. Ann says:
    May 7, 2010 at 4:49 pm

    THAT IS AMAZING, MARTHA!!!!!! You are ALWAYS full of surprises! I LOVE this!

    Reply
  3. Allie says:
    May 7, 2010 at 7:56 pm

    I need a thesaurus – all I can come up with is WOW! AMAZING! See? I need new words because this is really something special! I love Finsbury’s photostream, there are lots of pics [especially the bridge cards] that I’d love to turn into quilts – I sure don’t remember this one, but I probably wouldn’t have tried it anyway with all the tiny details. This is unbelievable, Martha, you are SO creative!

    Reply
  4. Ann says:
    May 7, 2010 at 8:28 pm

    I had to come back for another look! I think the words Allie was searching for are BREATHTAKING, AWE-INSPRING, REMARKABLE, and JAW-DROPPING (among others). They all apply. The people don’t even look like they are cut from fabric and the details are UNBELIEVABLE! Do I even have this right? You are taking the details from a printed coaster, as in “put your drink here”, and translating them to a large topper… you are a wonder!

    Reply
  5. Karen Beigh says:
    May 8, 2010 at 4:37 am

    Never know what I will see next on your blog. You are doing a very good job of re-creating the original vintage design. Looking forward to seeing your finished project. Invite us all over at Halloween!

    Reply
  6. Ann Champion says:
    May 8, 2010 at 5:18 am

    Oh Martha! You are amazing. I don’t think I would have thought to even attempt such a project? You’re doing an amazing job on this topper. You’ve captured all of the details so perfectly.
    I’m stunned! Fabulous!!! 🙂

    Reply
  7. mickie says:
    May 8, 2010 at 5:25 am

    Martha, you are a true artist, and we can all learn from you!!! It’s wonderful!

    Reply
  8. viridian says:
    May 8, 2010 at 5:53 am

    Wonderful. I cannot believe you have caught all the detail. I looked at some of your old posts – esp the listing of UFOs!!! Goodness you have more UFO’s than me! time to get working on them this summer.

    Reply
  9. Sarah says:
    May 8, 2010 at 9:05 am

    Fantastic. (And time consuming I’d bet!)

    Reply
  10. jan says:
    May 8, 2010 at 4:36 pm

    That is fabulous! I think vintage holloween is the only way to go, and this is very, very cool! I think that I would have to start saving dry cleaner coupons, because this would stay out year round at my house!

    Reply
  11. Connie Porcher says:
    May 9, 2010 at 3:30 pm

    Now I am feeling inspired. I have a large collection of Halloween graphics. What a wonderful, contemporary use for them. Your creativity & talent are amazing.

    Reply

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

A small blog about Martha's quilting hobby.

More About Me

Popular Posts

Categories

  • Quilts
  • Quilt Patterns
  • Embroidery
  • Embroidery Patterns
  • WIPs
  • Children’s Books
  • Aprons
  • Other Needlework
  • Crafts
  • Vintage Finds

Archives

  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • December 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011
  • December 2010
  • November 2010
  • October 2010
  • September 2010
  • August 2010
  • July 2010
  • June 2010
  • May 2010
  • April 2010
  • March 2010
  • February 2010
  • January 2010
  • December 2009
  • November 2009
  • October 2009
  • September 2009
  • August 2009
  • July 2009
  • June 2009
  • May 2009
  • April 2009
  • March 2009
  • February 2009
  • January 2009
  • December 2008

Search

© 2023 Q is For Quilter | Powered by Minimalist Blog WordPress Theme