Lorna's Map-on-a-Quilt Tutorial!

Serious....a map on a quilt? Oh my!

So I came across this pattern on Pinterest, of course. I was so struck by the pure awesomeness of this, I knew I had to make it. Maybe for not any reason whatsoever, but just to do it, I mean, why not?

So I printed all 20 pages, taped them together and wrote the names of the states on them.

Some of the states didn't line up exactly as I taped them but they are pretty close. I then cut them all carefully apart except Alaska and Hawaii. The pieces were too small to cut yet.

I then began to find all the fun fabrics to make each state. I wanted it vibrant so I started going through every fabric. I made certain states were very specific like Florida above. I was giggling over this one actually...

After finding the fabrics I wanted, I applied double adhesive to the fabric. I used this
Heat & Bond for the backing. I ironed it on each piece of fabric, a bit bigger for that particular state, since you want to make sure you have more than enough. Cutting yourself short would probably make you cry.  It has a layer you remove right before you iron it.

Now to start cutting out all of these pieces with the bonding on the back.

I love the Texas fabric!!

These little guys were a challenge for sure.

All cut out except Hawaii which I will do as I iron them on, otherwise I'm sure I will lose them.

Now the real fun. (She says in jest...)

I laid my fabric on my wood floor with a sheet underneath. I needed a large area to iron these on. I started in the middle and also started with middle states and just kept working my way from the center out. This was a bit back-breaking, but it worked really well.

All ironed on! Woot Woot!  

Now to start the long-arm process. I found this fabric on etsy and I love it! It's vibrant and excellent fabric, strong and stable. It's the perfect fabric for the backing.  

The back is loaded on the machine. I then put the batting on, then the map and baste it all on.

And here we go....!

I chose this swirl pattern which has become my new favorite. How amazing is that?

And it's done and off the machine. I love this so much!

 

I love how the back looks! All these fun swirls! 

Now to bind it. I chose one of the fabrics that is in the map to use. I made the binding, stitched in on the front, turned it, then hand blind-stitched it to the back.

I am loving how this quilt turned out SO much! I am thinking about making another one. I know...I know... I used these clip rings to hang from a curtain rod.
 

And now this is proudly hanging in my husband's office! Which was his idea. That made me feel pretty good. :)