Call For Quilt Ideas and Lab Assistants!

You Guys Rock!! I just have the Best family ever, this is so fun for me and I am so glad you guys are joining in. I love you guys!!

Shan, you are a Crazy Knitting Fool! Your blocks, washcloths and scarf are beautiful. Way to go!

OK, so we need to come up with a second project for those weird, strange, unnatural people who for some un-understandable reason, won't be playing with sticks and string. Oh, all right, I guess pain or illness MIGHT be a valid reason to not knit obsessively. Maybe. It's a bit of a stretch, but I GUESS I can let that slide. ;) (Just kidding!)

QUILT Requirements: Simple quilt blocks that can be decorated, permanently, without any sewing necessary. Must be machine washable and dryable. Must be simple enough to be done by both Little and Big folk.

We have an entire block of permanent-press muslin at my Mom's house, which we can use- but we need to find a method and materials by which we can permanently create Beautimus and Magniferous artwork upon it.

FIRST IDEA- Sharpies and Crayolas on the muslin. This method involves using black Sharpies (or other marker what will be black and permanent on fabric, perhaps a real fabric marker would be better?) to draw or trace coloring book or other pictures onto the quilt blocks. The block is then given to an Official Colorer, who uses crayons to bring it to life! Then, we place some paper over the block and use an iron to melt and set the crayon wax into the fabric. This will hopefully be permanent and washable and dryable- BUT I don't know for sure.

So, Lab Assistants, let's get to work! Get out some scrap fabric, sharpies, and that box of broken crayons and start experimenting. Does it work? Do the blocks need to be in hoops or have some kind of backing for a little kid to color on it? Will it survive a hot wash and dry beautifully intact, or turn into a kaleidoscope of tie-dyed hippie craziness? Stop by your favorite fabric or craft store, or call/visit your quilting friends, and harrass the experts for ideas and advice.

Post your experimental results and pictures, and let's see if this will work.

Thank you, Juneanne, for writing about your experience with this method- I hope we can make a quilt this way, it sounds fun.

DO YOU HAVE OTHER IDEAS FOR MAKING THE QUILT?
Please let us know if you have any other ideas or experience that will meet our requirements above for this quilt. I am officially NOT a skilled, experienced Quilty-type person, so any suggestions, tips, or ideas are greatly appreciated!!