Ghastly Portraits How-To

One of my favorite ways to use the Ghastlies prints has been to frame them like pictures and use them to decorate. Last year I made this set which I stuck to these quilted covers I made for the pictures in my entry way.

At Quilter's Way they had the brilliant idea to attach them to Lucite frames.

And lately I've just been sticking them up around my house.  Here are some tips if you want to make your own...

I'm addicted to Decor-Bond (Pellon #809).  I find these are just a bit crisper if I start by fusing some to the wrong side of my fabric.  Then I layer it with batting, a great way to use up scraps, but don't bother with a backing.  When you cut out your image remember that you will lose about 1/4" on all sides to the seam allowance. 

I cut my bindings in a variety of widths between 2" and 3".  If you are going to make round or irregularly shaped pictures you will definitely want to use bias binding and a thinner binding will be easier to turn. 

Fold your binding in half and attach like you are binding a quilt, mitering your corners.  With a wider binding you can increase your seam allowance to make a thicker frame.  Turn your binding to the back and tack but don't worry about covering your sewing line.

Make a few more... you can never have too many family portraits!

One week left to link up at the Ghastly Gathering.  Halloween will be here before you know it so finish up those Ghastly things:-)