Betty’s Stunning Quilt Takes Us “Down The Road”

Quilter’s Name: Betty Visser from Belgrade, Montana

Style of Quilt: Art Quilt/Wallhanging

Pattern Name: Down the Road

Featured Date: 1-12-23

Hi, my name is Betty Visser. I recently made this quilt to hang in our RV. This pattern is an adaptation of Cynthia England’s pattern called “Down the Road”. The original size of the kit was 19” wide by 17” high. This method is a different way of paper piecing where the freezer paper is ironed onto the right side of the fabric. None of the paper is caught in the seams, because fabric for seams is added after the pieces are ironed onto the fabric, and therefore the paper is easily removed.  See YouTube tutorials for this technique.

I was in love with the design and the idea and needed something to replace several missing mirrors in the dining area of our motorhome.  However, I needed to convert the original design from a landscape to portrait size to fit the area where I wanted to put it. I came up with an idea of dividing the original pattern into equal sized sections based on the original  dimensions, cutting the pieces apart, and enlarging each piece to 5” wide x 7” high. I then taped the enlarged pieces back together to create the master pattern. I was concerned that the design might be out of proportion when finished, but I am satisfied with the results. What better theme for the RV than the name, “Down the Road”? My husband built the frame and stained it in cherry and it matches the other wood in the RV. I have had many compliments on this picture- some people not believing that it is done with fabric until they get up closer and actually touch it.

The fabric that was sent with the original kit was sufficient to complete everything with the exception of the highway section, so I had to buy a fat quarter. This project took up most of my winter sewing time, but it gave me more pleasure than simply replacing some sections of mirrors!

Thank you for the opportunity to share this! – Betty

(The pattern can be purchased from Cynthia England’s website at https://www.englanddesign.com/order/small-landscapes-series/down-the-road.)

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