Create A QR Code Quilt!

After receiving word that a GO!Baby Accuquilt cutting system was coming my way, my son decided that the 2" square die I ordered would be perfect for creating a QR Code quilt. A quick google search showed us that others have already crafted QR Codes in various fibre media, including quilts, cross stitch, embroidery and knitting.

QR Code Quilt basted

I've written a tutorial explaining how I created my 37" square quilt using my GO!Baby cutter. It's a pictorial tute on flickr with the instructions appearing in each photo's description. Just click through each photo and read the descriptions below. As always, be sure to read the entire tutorial before starting as there are time-saving tips that appear under each photo.

This particular quilt was created for the Vancouver Modern Quilt Guild. I thought it would be so cool to have this modern quilt to hang at public events. Anyone with a smart phone can scan the quilt and they'll be taken directly to our website for more information, membership details and inspiration!

I was quilting my QR Code yesterday at Vancouver's first Mini Maker Faire and the response was fantastic. People thought it was pretty awesome (I was a good mom and made sure to give T credit for the idea). I kept having to remove it from the machine so people could scan it!

I already wrote a bit about the preparation of this project. Based on some of the comments I received on that post, and subsequent email correspondence with friends, I think the kids and I were a bit ambitious cramming 8 layers of fabric through the GO!Baby. Next time, I'll limit it to 4 layers. I did find that the fabric shifted a bit and some squares (very few, but some) were skewed and unusable.

The other thing that wasn't ideal for me (being a bit of a perfectionist) is the fact that the die blades have to pass through the machine at a slight angle to the roller. This means that square shapes with right angles will have edges slightly off grain, resulting in some fraying. Normally this wouldn't phase me, but when working with black and white it's frustrating to have all of those little black threads shadowing through the white fabric. I tried trimming, but it was a losing battle! NEXT time, perhaps I should orient my fabric so that the grain is parallel to the blades on the die, instead of making them parallel to the edge of the cutting mat. So really, it seems that this issue is more of a newbie-operator error. I would appreciate feedback from some experienced Accuquilt users here....

The good news is that the QR Code Quilt looks super cool, and it is totally functional! Worked every time someone scanned it. I still have more quilting to do, so hang tight and I'll be back later in the week with a Full Frontal!

I'd like to thank the Accuquilt company for making it possible to cut 400, 2" squares in 20 minutes. And for making quilting 'cool' for my teenagers.

Accuquilt has a new offer for people that sign up for their informative newsletter; you will instantly receive 22 free quilt patterns as .pdf downloads! Click on my sidebar button to sign up. It's FREE and who couldn't use 22 new patterns? An Accuquilt cutter is not required to make many of them, but it sure would speed up the process!