Choosing fabrics & Threads
fabric threads notions
SHADOW WORK | 2 5 1 | BABY LO C K CU R R I CULUM
Creating the shadowed effect is easier
than you may think! Start with a plain
white cotton for your base fabric.
For our appliqué steps, we chose to
stick with patterned batik fabrics.
Batiks are created with a wax-resist
dye, perfectly pigmented to appear
beneath the shadowing effect.
You will also need the material to
mute these fabrics, which is known as
batiste. Batiste is a plain weave cotton
or linen, known for it’s lightweight
characteristic as well as being the
softest of the opaque fabric options.
Thread choices for these designs will
rely on the fabric colors you selected
for your appliqués. By placing these
tones over top the appliqués that
are covered in batiste, your design
will emerge from below in softened
shades.
Since these designs are quilt blocks,
they also incorporate classic stippling
over the batiste, so select a white
thread choice that will match closely
to your batiste top fabric.
To create a shadow work block, you
will need the standard notions used
for creating quilt blocks. This includes
a good pair of appliqué scissors for
trimming those bold batiks and tape
or spray adhesive to secure your
sheer batiste before it is tacked down.
When the block is complete, a rotary
cutter and ruler will be useful to cut
clean seam allowances on all sides.