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Celtic Quilting

© Jeanne Walsh

Now that the rush of the holidays is over, I'd like to introduce you to a lovely quilting craft using ancient designs that you can work on as you sit by the fire on a cold January night.

Celts (pronounced selt or kelt) were a group of people found in mainly southwestern Germany around 500 BC. They were distinguished by the language they spoke, rather than a race. World Book says they were famous for their wit, their love of liberty and their bravery in battle. They eventually spread over most of Europe. In time they were absorbed by other races or were killed by the Romans and barbarians who came to control Europe. Some small groups remain in the British Isles who speak remnants of the language. They have left a legacy of designs we are using today called Celtic Interweaving.

This artwork can be found in ancient castles, ironworks, and on monuments throughout the areas where the Celts once lived. It is a continuous weaving of lines, no beginning, no end, and represents the continuation of life. We can duplicate these designs with bias applique in highly contrasting fabrics.

Needed

Traced Design
2 FQs contrasting fabric for one block
No. 3H lead pencil for tracing
Bias bars or purchased bias tape
Matching thread for applique
Applique needle
Batting
Backing and binding fabric

The Design

You will find several books on Celtic design in the quilt stores. There are also packaged designs on hanger racks. Patterns can be enlarged or reduced. Chose one with dark lines so it can be traced through fabric. Trace the design on a light background using a 3H lead pencil. Cut the background square larger than your final block will be so you have room to work with it. The lavender design above was in a see through pack from Sweet Memories Publishing Co and is called "Celtic Flight."

The Bias strip

These designs used to be quite tedious to duplicate, but with the advent of "bias bars" it is simple. Bias bars (sometimes called "press bars" or "Celtic bars") are strips of heat resistant material in several widths 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 inch about 12 inches long and can be purchased in a quilt shop or made at home of stiff heat resistant material.

Mark bias lines 1 1/8 inches apart on one of the FQs. Cut strips the length of the bias. DO NOT sew the strips together. Fold each bias strip wrong sides together and sew a narrow seam the length of the strip. Slip 3/8 bias bar into the sewn strip and slide the seam around to one flat side of the bar. Steam iron the strip with the bar inside, turn over and steam iron the other side. Slide the bar along the strip and continue steam ironing until the length of the strip is ironed. Remove bar. Watch out, hot, hot, hot. (You can use these bias strips for other applique designs in your quilting, flowers, stems, stained glass windows, etc.) Trim the edge of any seam that extends past the edge of the strip.

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