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.
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.
THAT IS AMAZING, MARTHA!!!!!! You are ALWAYS full of surprises! I LOVE this!
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!
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!
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!
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!!! 🙂
Martha, you are a true artist, and we can all learn from you!!! It’s wonderful!
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.
Fantastic. (And time consuming I’d bet!)
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!
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.