by Serena Smith

I almost always have leftover blocks or fabric from quilts I have made. Take those leftover blocks or fabrics, insert them in a frame and display it along with your quilt. Choose a frame that compliments the colors in your block. By using a frame that is larger than your block, you can add borders around the block to fit the frame. Or border the block with a mat or double mat. Stagger two or more blocks in a larger frame or overlap the edges for an asymmetrical design.

After you have bordered the block to the size for the frame, you may want to starch the back of the fabric to give it a stiff finish. Then fuse wonderunder to the back. Peel off the paper backing and fuse the block to a piece of cardboard or cardstock cut to the same size that will fit in the frame. This will hold the block in place, preventing it from shifting in the frame. To preserve the fabric, you could use acid-free cardstock or cardboard.

Framing fabric or fabric panels - I have lots of fabric I bought just because I love it! Why not frame it and enjoy it? Florals, nature scenes, animal prints and other fun fabrics can be inserted into a picture frame. Pick out details from larger prints such as a large flower, a scenic cottage or a running horse. Pillow panels on fabric yardage or fabric panels can be cut out and framed very easily.

Starch the fabric if needed to add body to it. Cut the fabric to the size needed to fit in the frame. Fuse wonderunder to the back, peel off the paper backing and fuse to a piece of cardstock or cardboard. Insert into a coordinating picture frame. It's a quick and easy way to add decor to any room!

Framing embroidery designs - Machine embroidery looks great on quilts and garments, but is perfect to create professional looking frames to hang on your walls. Pick out your favorite embroidery designs and stitch them on flannel or felt. If the design is dense with over 10,000 stitches, you will want to use a cutaway stabilizer. It may be necessary to put a water soluble topping such as aqua film on the top of the fabric to keep the stitches from burying down in the pile of the flannel or felt. Instead of hooping the fabric, which could leave a hoop burn mark, hoop the stabilizer and spray it with spray adhesive. Stick the fabric on the hooped stabilizer and stitch.

Keeping the design centered, cut the fabric down to the size needed for the frame. If using flannel, fuse wonderunder to the fabric and then fuse to cardboard or cardstock to help hold its shape. When using felt, it is heavy enough that the wonderunder usually is not needed. The extra layer of cardboard with the felt may be too thick for the frame.

Give framed quilt blocks, fabric and machine embroidery designs a try! It is a quick and easy decor project that can brighten up any room. Use smaller frames for tabletops and dressers. Use larger picture frames and a combination of quilt blocks or embroidery designs to hang on the wall. Incorporate photos with fabric and embroidery into frames. Find fun frames and mats that coordinate with your fabric and designs. The possibilities are endless!!

Visit my online gallery for quilt blocks, fabric and embroidery designs I have framed and embellished!