Think of a Celtic Quilt when trying to come up with a fairly fast and definitely fabulous homemade gift. Creating intricate interlaced and knotwork designs using bias tape (homemade or commercial) also features heavily in stained glass designed quilts.
With the Celtic Quilt, various colored fabrics can be inserted to create the stained glass affect. However, it is usually a whole cloth background with a design traced on it and then appliquéd with a continual strip of bias tape.
Celtic Designs Represent an Ancient Culture
Celtic design comes with a deep and meaningful cultural connection. Beth Ann Williams, author of Celtic Quilts: A New Look for Ancient Designs suggests that “It is important that Celtic culture be viewed not as a ‘dead’ thing to be studied, dissected, and preserved only in museums…but as a living vibrant expression of honoring our heritage and embracing our future.”
Whether taking designs from ancient sources, creating modern interpretations of those ancient designs or coming up with unique new designs rooted in Celtic style, remember three characteristics of classic Celtic knotwork and interlace.
- All lines are continuous without beginning or end
- All lines cross each other in an alternating under-over-under pattern.
- No more than two lines cross at any given point.
Forgiving Aspect of Celtic Quilt Design
One thing nice about this technique, you can hide raw edges and seams or bias tape ends where one passes under another in the intricate design. It can be quite forgiving.
Step One for Making a Celtic Quilt
Begin with an accurately marked cloth complete with registration marks to help center the design. Mark not only the actual design, but also cross overs and unders. Remember that there is a pattern to the cross overs as they alternate throughout the design. A lightbox may prove useful in the marking process. Patterns and inspiration can be found online or in Beth Ann Williams book: Celtic Quilts: A New Look for Ancient Designs.
New Methods to Accomplish Celtic Quilt Construction
With modern products and techniques, making Celtic Quilts becomes even easier. Such products as monofilament thread to create invisible stitches, and various adhesives, including an adhesive strip that can be ironed on the back of your custom made bias tape. Or there are adhesive bias tapes available commercially. Or use glue sticks and liquid basting to hold the bias tape in place on your Celtic Quilt until the final stitching. Decorative threads come in an amazing array for added embellishment. Add beads, bangles, whatever you want.
Invisible Thread and Homemade Bias Tape Aid Celtic Quilt Success
The process is even more fun and inspiring than when the first Celtic Quilts were stitched. Monofilament thread for example is most forgiving and allows for less than perfect stitches since it is basically invisible. If making your own bias tape, you can use a variety of fabrics to create interest within the design. Check out this article for more information about how to Make Custom Bias Tape for Quilts and Applique. Once the bias tape is made, assembling the quilt can be a quick process with the use of glue sticks, liquid basting or iron-on adhesives.
The Celtic design can be combined with pieced blocks or other appliqué to add interest and a touch of the culture to whatever you make. Let imagination rule.
Various quilt makers offer inspiration in Celtic Quilt designs and ideas including Beth Ann Williams and Karen Coombs.
Sources: Celtic Quilts: A New Look for Ancient Designs by Beth Ann Williams
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- Tips and Techniques for Fusible Applique: Many have discovered that time doesn't permit labor-intensive handwork when there are many quck and easy techniques and products that produce similar results.
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