the sewing of the center layers together was easier than expected. i have thought of working this way for a while but never tried it. it was intended as a way to stay portable but instead has transformed into an interesting technique based on points of reference. it has changed my approach to layers in general. i am still working upside down. laying the velvet section ( partially decorated) on top of the lava section ( back side up) . with wrong sides together, i sewed the meeting points around the perimeter with embroidery thread. roughly. leaving the edges open for now. some of the garden block on the back are in place so it was a meeting place for all to come together. i then tied through at each intersection of blocks, back to front. i used green embroidery floss and left the ties clipped to 1" on the velvet side. they look like grass. i am leaving the check fabric sticking out in some spots, to be frayed and furry like magic fringe.