All Projects
Shadow Box Quilt
Date Posted:16 June 2021
The Shadow Box layout can be used with a variety of embroidery designs as this style displays the embroidered blocks beautifully. We created this quilt with Spirit of the Outback 1 by Outback Designs using 9 embroidery blocks, but you can complete this project using any designs. The finished size of this quilt is 36.5" x 36.5".
Requirements
Fabric
- 2.5 metres of neutral fabric for embroidery blocks and sashing (allowance to make a mistake!)
- 2 x fat quarters of patterned fabric - embroidery block frame
- 30 cm of shadow fabric (we used steel gray)
- 1.5m backing fabric (measure the completed quilt to get accurate size)
General
- Shape to Create Fusible Woven Interfacing
- Softaway/Tearaway stabilizer
- Mercerised Cotton Embroidery Thread - Black (MC3-001) - provides a matte embroidered finish
- Wool 60/Poly 40 Quilt Batting
- Rasant thread - Cream 101
Fabric Cutting Instructions
Cream background fabric
- 1.3 metres of the neutral 100% cotton fabric is used for the embroidery blocks- finished block size is 8½” x 8 ½”. Block should be cut to fit hoop size - we cut 10” x 14”
- Cut 18 squares 1 ½” x 1 ½ ” - shadow squares
- Cut 12 strips 2” x 10 ½” - sashing
- Cut 12 strips 2” x 12” - sashing
- Cut 4 x 2” x 2” squares - sashing square
Patterned fabric to frame embroidery
- Cut 18 strips - 1” x 8 ½”
- Cut 18 strips - 1” x 9 ½”
- 10” or 25 cm binding fabric - Cut 4 strips: 2“ strips x the width of the fabric (WOF)
Gray shadow fabric
- Cut 9 strips - 1 ½" x 8 ½”
- Cut 9 strips - 1 ½” x 9 ½”
Method: Embroidery blocks
- Iron Shape to Create on the back of each embroidery block, shape to create provides extra support for the embroidery stitches.
- Hoop with Softaway/Tearaway and embroider the 9 x Outback embroidery designs onto chosen background fabric using the mercerised cotton embroidery thread.
- Square up the embroidery blocks to measure 8 ½” x 8 ½” then set aside.
Method: Patchwork piecing
- Attach a 1” x 8 ½” patterned strip to the top and bottom of each embroidered block. Press to the dark side.
- Attach a 1” x 9 ½” patterned strip to the sides of each embroidered block. Press to the dark side.
- Sew one of the small white squares onto each end of the grey shadow strips.
- Stitch the short strip to the left hand side of the block, and the longer strip to the bottom of the embroidered block, with the small white square facing as shown.
- Add the sashing to the bottom of the embroidered block.
- Add the sashing to the left side of the embroidered block. This is one block completed, repeat the steps with the remaining embroidered blocks.
- To create a row, sew three blocks together. Make a further two rows of three blocks stitched together.
- Add the final set of sashing starting with a 2” x 2” square of background fabric to the top row, followed by the outer border. The 3 rows will look like this:
- Stitch all three rows together to create the top.
- Sandwich together with the batting and backing and quilt as desired.
DONATE SOME TO A CHARITY
These quilts can also be donated to charity. If you want to contribute to a great cause, the charities listed below accept handmade quilts for their patients. Just send your creations in to the mailing address provided.
Are you a charity that would accept this item? Contact us to have your details added here.
Queensland
Little Stars Kids
Address:
Corporate House, Gasworks
Lobby 1, Level 2, 76 Skyring Terrace,
Newstead QLD 4006
Australia
The quilts will be donated to children aged from 3-12 years old and base colour suggestions are navy/red for boys and green/pink for girls. As the age range is varied, minimal use of overly patterned fabrics is preferred.
Ronald McDonald House
View locations throughout Queensland →
You will need to ensure that your project complies with the following requirements, as these donations will be going to vulnerable children at the Royal Children's Hospital.
- Quilt is between 100cm and 110cm square
- Only new materials are to be used
- The quilt must be clean and free from chemicals, smoke and pet hair
- The quilt must not have any choking hazards like buttons, beads, gems or rhinestones
New South Wales
Aussie Heroes
Address:
PO Box 248
Cherrybrook NSW 2126
Australia
You will need to ensure that your project complies with Aussie Heroes' requirements. View quilt specifics here →
Wauchope Patchwork Quilters
Address:
PO Box 100
Wauchope NSW 2446
Australia
You will need to ensure that your project complies with the charity requirements. View the quilt specifics here →
Ronald McDonald House
View locations throughout New South Wales →
You will need to ensure that your project complies with the following requirements, as these donations will be going to vulnerable children at the Royal Children's Hospital.
- Quilt is between 100cm and 110cm square
- Only new materials are to be used
- The quilt must be clean and free from chemicals, smoke and pet hair
- The quilt must not have any choking hazards like buttons, beads, gems or rhinestones
South Australia
Mary Potter Foundation Inc
Address:
Connery House
Calvary North Adelaide Hospital
89 Strangways Terrace
North Adelaide SA 5006
Australia
The Mary Potter Foundation ask that any quilt donation is close to 48" square using lightweight thin wadding.
Ronald McDonald House
View locations throughout South Australia →
You will need to ensure that your project complies with the following requirements, as these donations will be going to vulnerable children at the Royal Children's Hospital.
- Quilt is between 100cm and 110cm square
- Only new materials are to be used
- The quilt must be clean and free from chemicals, smoke and pet hair
- The quilt must not have any choking hazards like buttons, beads, gems or rhinestones
Victoria
Lifes Little Treasures
Address:
Life’s Little Treasures Foundation
1/21 Eugene Terrace
Ringwood, VIC 3134
Australia
You will need to ensure that your project complies with the following rules, as these donations will be going to vulnerable babies.
- Please only use new materials
- Materials need to be clean and free from chemicals, smoke and pet hair
- Item cannot have any potential choking hazards such as buttons, beads, hems or rhinestones attached
Ronald McDonald House
View locations throughout
Victoria →
You will need to ensure that your project complies with the following requirements, as these donations will be going to vulnerable children at the Royal Children's Hospital.
- Quilt is between 100cm and 110cm square
- Only new materials are to be used
- The quilt must be clean and free from chemicals, smoke and pet hair
- The quilt must not have any choking hazards like buttons, beads, gems or rhinestones
South Eastern Centre Against Sexual Assault and Family Violence
Various locations
View contact details →
Western Australia
Comfort Quilts Against Cancer
Address:
Comfort Quilts Against Cancer
PO Box 966
Northam WA 6401
Australia
Ronald McDonald House
View locations throughout Western Australia →
You will need to ensure that your project complies with the following requirements, as these donations will be going to vulnerable children at the Royal Children's Hospital.
- Quilt is between 100cm and 110cm square
- Only new materials are to be used
- The quilt must be clean and free from chemicals, smoke and pet hair
- The quilt must not have any choking hazards like buttons, beads, gems or rhinestones
Tasmania
Ronald McDonald House
View locations throughout
Tasmania →
You will need to ensure that your project complies with the following requirements, as these donations will be going to vulnerable children at the Royal Children's Hospital.
- Quilt is between 100cm and 110cm square
- Only new materials are to be used
- The quilt must be clean and free from chemicals, smoke and pet hair
- The quilt must not have any choking hazards like buttons, beads, gems or rhinestones
Australian Capital Territory
Ronald McDonald House
View locations throughout ACT →
You will need to ensure that your project complies with the following requirements, as these donations will be going to vulnerable children at the Royal Children's Hospital.
- Quilt is between 100cm and 110cm square
- Only new materials are to be used
- The quilt must be clean and free from chemicals, smoke and pet hair
- The quilt must not have any choking hazards like buttons, beads, gems or rhinestones
Products we used and recommend
Free Embroidery Designs
We're excited to offer our free Echidna designs available for download. These free designs are perfect for those at a beginner or an advanced level. Add these designs to your stash and create incredible embroidery!
View all free designs >
Sewing, Quilting and Embroidery Machines
Interested in learning how to sew, quilt or embroider? Take a look at the innovative Brother machines available for purchase at Echidna Sewing. Wherever possible we will beat any deal and you will always receive ongoing service and support!
Find out more >
Learn to Sew or Embroider with Echidna Sewing
Come along to our fun-filled classes to learn more about sewing, embroidery and crafting. Classes cater for all skill levels, whether you're just starting out or already have advanced knowledge.
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Echidna project material/ fabric requirements are an indication only and can seem to be generous. This has been intentional. Should you make a cutting or embroidery mistake you will have sufficient fabric to rectify your error.
