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| 1. I’ve never done stained glass reverse appliqué – is it difficult? Doing a stained glass reverse appliqué design is essentially a sewing project, so if you like to sew you should have no problem mastering this technique. In any case, every one of our stained glass patterns comes with fully illustrated, step-by-step instructions which will walk even total novices through the entire process. Our instructions also cover the construction and attachment of different types of borders, binding, and dowel pockets where the pattern is for a wall hanging. Fabric requirements and recommended supplies are also listed on the back cover of each pattern. | |
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| 2. What kinds of fabric do you use? We use anything and everything that will give us the effect we want. A lot of Bali, batik, fossil fern and hand-dyed fabrics get chosen. We tend to look for fabric that gives the impression of light shining through colour and a sense of movement as the colour changes and shifts along the surface of the cloth. Decide if the quilt is to be looked at only or used as well. If you intend to use the piece, it should be washable and therefore made from pre-washed cotton or cotton-blend fabric. Also keep in mind that very fine fabrics usually need to be stabilized before they can be used in a quilt. We have found that a feather weight woven fusible interfacing works well for this purpose. | |
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| 3. Must I use freezer paper for the reverse appliqué technique? You can also use a cotton, heavyweight, woven, fusible interfacing. (It is the heavy-duty type used for wallets and baseball cap brims.) Use it exactly as you would the freezer paper: trace the design onto the non-shiny side and then carefully cut along the lines with a sharp craft or utility knife. Please note that this fusible interfacing is not re-positionable once you have ironed it down, so it is very important that you place it on-grain on your black fabric before ironing it. You might want to try this method on a small project first to see if it works for you. A lot of our customers like this interfacing and it has a further advantage in that the fabric used for your lead lines does not have to be a high-thread count one – the adhesive used in this interfacing prevents the fabric from fraying beyond the edge of your lead line. Not all quilt stores carry this product but they can get it from whichever of their distributors sells interfacing, or you could try any fabric store that sells a good range of interfacings for sewing and craft projects. Just be sure to mention that it’s a 100% cotton, woven, heavy-weight fusible interfacing – the type used for baseball cap brims and wallets. | |
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| 4. Do I leave the freezer paper in? We usually do, but you can easily remove it if you want by gently pulling it away with tweezers once you have added all your coloured fabric pieces. | |
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| 5. What kind of glue should I use? We have used Quilter’s fabric glue in a tube and in stick form and they have both worked well for us. Your personal preference (and the local availability of the product) should be your deciding factor. | |
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| 6. Why do you suggest using fine machine needles and embroidery thread? Fine needles and thread will give you a stitch that almost disappears. If you use regular sewing thread and machine needles, attention will be drawn to the zig-zag stitching as it will be highly visible. This, however, is a matter of personal preference and you should experiment to see what effect you like best. | |
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| 7. What if I can’t find the same colours or prints shown on the pattern cover? In very many cases, we don’t expect you will find them. But you will always be able to find other fantastic colours and prints that will work just as well. For a stained glass effect, you will want to look for a fabric that appears to have light coming through it. Try making miniature window frames out of black construction paper or strips of fabric and then look at different coloured fabric choices in your local shops through these frames. Just think of this as “auditioning” possible candidates for your quilt project. | |
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| 8. What new designs do you have planned? We have no shortage of ideas for bold new Three Swans Studios designs and we plan on introducing about 8 new quilt patterns a year. But you’ll just have to keep checking our web site to see the new designs as they are introduced. Send us an e-mail to be placed on our distribution list, and we’ll automatically let you know when new patterns become available. | |
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| 9. Can I reduce or enlarge the design? This is not recommended. The patterns are designed very carefully to maintain the relationship of the width of the line, the size of the coloured fabric pieces and the overall size of the design. The balance, we feel, is just right. For example, making a larger design would probably require breaking up the pieces of fabric with more lines. Conversely, reducing the design would require eliminating some of the lines. | |
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| 10. Can I make this pattern using another technique? The detailed instructions included with our stained-glass patterns are for the stained glass reverse appliqué technique, but now also include a quick-fuse method. However, there is no reason why you could not use traditional hand appliqué, reverse appliqué by hand, bias binding stained glass technique, or any other technique that you think might work with these designs. Indeed, we have drawn the patterns with a broken line down the centre of the stained glass leading lines to serve as a guide for those wanting to use a bias binding or hand appliqué technique. Our appliqué patterns also come with detailed instructions for our favourite hand-appliqué technique but also include a quick-fuse method. | |
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| 11. If I make one of your designs, can I display it publicly or at a show? Absolutely, just make sure you tell everyone where you got the design from.* | |
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| 12. If I win a prize with one of your designs, can I keep the money? Yes, all of it – provided you publicly credit us with the design.* | |
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| 13. Can I use your patterns to teach a course? Yes, as long as everyone involved in the course purchases their own pattern.* | |
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| 14. Can I use one of your patterns for a charity fundraiser, or as a gift to a public institution? Yes, provided you publicly credit us with the design and do not use the pattern for commercial or personal gain.* | |
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| 15. Can I return a pattern to you if I change my mind? Sorry, as photocopying equipment is so readily available, we can’t accept returned patterns. However, if the pattern is defective, we will replace it.** | |
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| 16. Do you ship overseas? Yes. Just contact us to confirm how you would like your Order shipped and the cost. | |
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| 17. Can I pay in American dollars or another currency? Right now, we only bill our retail customers in Canadian dollars. If you order by credit card, your credit card company will typically make the exchange rate conversion to your currency when the transaction is processed and at the market rate established for that day. It will be this converted amount that you will see on your credit card statement. The Canadian dollar is currently trading at a substantial discount to the American dollar – e.g., one of our patterns listed at $20 Canadian will cost around US$18. | |
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| 18. What if a pattern is out of stock? As we manufacture all our patterns and monitor our inventory levels very carefully, it is unlikely that we will be caught short. However, should a pattern be temporarily out of stock, we would advise you of its availability date and will not process any credit card order for that pattern until the item is shipped. | |
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| 19. Can you let me know when you introduce new patterns? Sure. Just send us your e-mail address and we’ll put you on our distribution list announcing all our new patterns and promotions the moment they are available on our web site | |
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| 20. Do you give or sell your mailing lists to others? Never.*** | |
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| 21. Do you sell wholesale to stores and mail order businesses? Yes. Contact us for details. We would be happy to hear from you. | |
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| 22. Do you ever run special promotions or sales? On occasion we will offer a special promotion to reduce customer shipping and handling charges. Also, if you introduce our patterns to your local quilt or sewing shop, we will send you a free pattern of your choice once we receive their first order. Just make sure the store mentions your name when they place their order, or send us a note giving us the store’s name and if we get an order from them soon thereafter, we will get in touch with you about your free pattern. We will also give you 20% off your entire order if you place the order with us in the week of your birthday. | |
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