Quilt that Window!

Yes, you read that title correctly.

I've quilted up one of my shop's windows.

No worries, I haven't gone bonkers, nor did any glass get broken. See, I have four big windows at the front of my shop and two of them have gone all foggy between the panes. I've been eyeing them for quite some time to do something to make them look better.


Replacing them is out of question as we rent the space and it would have to be done at my expense. Since we hope to outgrow this spot within the next few years, I can't see paying for it. Both windows typically have a car or minivan parked in front of them, so it's not too much of an eyesore. The other two windows are more visible and have my signage in them with adhesive vinyl (done by yours truly on the Artistic Edge cutter).



 I thought about putting some of those perforated vinyl window signs in them. These are the kind that you can see right through from the inside but can print images or signage on the outside and they are solid looking from the outside. Again, kinda pricey and I don't know what I'd have done on the outside of them.


Enter beautiful images on Pinterest of hand drawn shop window lettering. Combine that with my penchant for doodling quilt designs and I took up my (removable) paint pen.

I did want to say something on this window, so I first wrote the word "Create" on it. Since I was drawing on the inside of the window, I first wrote the word on the outside using a dry erase marker. Then I traced the lines from the inside with the paint pen.


The paint pen is the type you can pick up at an office supply store commonly used for writing "Go Team!" or "Just Married" on your car windows. It washes off with water and some elbow grease.


I'm not sure it's the best thing to use. The tip is very thick and blocky. It was a little hard to control. I plan on doing this on the second window soon and then after a while I will redo both windows. Gotta change it up and keep it interesting. I may find a different pen next time.

I made a video of most of the process. I have got to work on finding the right speed setting on this set up. I felt like this video could have been faster and the last quilting video I did could have been slower.

The only thing I don't like about this process is that when the shop is closed and the shades are lowered, you can't really see it.

So, do you think I've gone too far? It was a lot of fun, though a bit stressful to put my quilting on display for the neighborhood. I had to fight the urge to make it perfect or post a sign that says, "I quilt better than I draw."

18 comments:

  1. Perfect solution! It looks great.

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  2. It's terrific! And just think -- no worries about stops and starts, no threads to bury!

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  3. What a great idea! Perfect solutioion!

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  4. I think it's fun - and when you want a change you don't need to unpick anything!

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  5. Love this! What a great and fun idea! Loved the video!

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  6. Window quilting! I love it. What about using a color other than white - the signage may show up better when the window coverings are down.

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  7. I love it! When I first saw your video, I looked up the markers and they do come in colors. Can you do this on the outside? How about darkening the shades that get pulled down when closed. I frequently travel up and down Interest 81 and hope to stop at your shop soon.

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  8. I think it is awesome! I recently tried some free motion quilting after an absence of 6 years after my husband`s death. I just lost interest in my sewing. Needless to say, my results were not good. I had lost a surprising amount of ability and I pledge to work on it and get it back! I`m not saying I would ever be as good as you, I just want to be as good as I used to be.

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  9. Head slap !! Why didn't I think of that ?? I have recently retired and closed my alteration shop. Signage was always a dilemma, and your creative idea would have been a brilliant solution ! Opening a business and keeping it running on a budget will bring out all your ingenious ideas !! Keep up the good work girl !!

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  10. Wow!! looks great, just like a real artist, you do amazing things Amy, love it all.

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  11. I'm sure that during the upcoming Halloween period, you can find neon - glow in the dark - window markers. If you do the windows in that type of marker, at night when the shop is closed and shades down, your "quilting" should be visible and you can get that lovely message across even when you are not there.

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  12. Fantastic idea, I can see Christmas windows,Easter windows, Thanksgiving windows...... It keeps the locals looking at your store and may be they may become customers. Changing it keeps the shop front fresh.Too cool.

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  13. Fantastic idea, I can see Christmas windows,Easter windows, Thanksgiving windows...... It keeps the locals looking at your store and may be they may become customers. Changing it keeps the shop front fresh.Too cool.

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