patchwork newbie need some help!

Tigerlilley1980

Oooh lovely, I will follow this thread with interest as I am desperate to make one, but haven't a clue where to start! Good luck with your project x

DizzyK_2

What's your colour scheme? Maybe we should all post you a square What a lovely testament to MSE OS forums that would be!

I'd look in charity shops for things you like, old fave dresses in your wardrobe you can't wear anymore but can't bare to part with, your mum's airing cupboard or similar for childhood fabrics you remember.. If you can make the squares mean something to you, even better!

patchwork_cat

Traditionally patchwork was frequently made from remants of old favourite dresses etc. often collected from different members of the family , the design also was significant. This is an interesting site http://www.thesewingforum.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=30

Elaine_Wilson

DizzyK wrote: »

What's your colour scheme? Maybe we should all post you a square What a lovely testament to MSE OS forums that would be!

What a wonderful idea. I know I've got some old fabric lying around. What size pieces would be needed?

My mother died a few years ago and I now have her Singer treadle sewing machine (manufactured in 1928 I believe). This has such sentimental value to me I would love to put it to use in some way. Could I make a quilt using this or would I need something more modern?

I shall follow your progress, LilacLillie, and may even follow you later this year. Good luck with your project.

stardrops42

Hi

Here is a link for the new "Sewing Room" thread, you might get some help and advice on there as well. Although a lot of us are beginners, a few of the ladies are quite experienced and some have made quilts :0)
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=2169321

ceebeeby

Ooooh, I'm going to tag on to this thread!

I'm about to make use of an impulse purchased sewing machine that has been hanging around for ages unused! I've got a bag of clothes originally intended for the charity shop in the garage for making a start with!

I never thought of getting a book from the library - good idea!

Thanks x

Chakani

Elaine_Wilson wrote: »

My mother died a few years ago and I now have her Singer treadle sewing machine (manufactured in 1928 I believe). This has such sentimental value to me I would love to put it to use in some way. Could I make a quilt using this or would I need something more modern?

Those machines go on forever - I found OH's great-granny's one last year, and a bit of tinkering, and it was soon working again. I did some quite complicated stuff on it, and found that once I got used to it, it was easy to use. It does take a bit of practice though.

You will need to check the tension of the leather belt - it will need shortening if it slips, and to oil all the moving parts. Both are easy to do and I found tutorials on Youtube. There are whole forums dedicated to old Singers out there.



I am also toying with the idea of making a quilt for DS's cot, as I have an old one made for his dad, that was spoilt by felt pen (by a previous generation, I must add!) The design part is what I'm finding daunting at the moment, so I keep putting it off...

ChocClare

LilacLillie wrote: »

Now the help bit please, where will I get material? Maybe offcuts?
I live in East London which used to be home of the rag trade, so possibly still a few places around.
What can you all suggest????
Thanks
LL

You need 100% cotton, plain or (small) patterned fabric is best. What sort of colour scheme did you have in mind? You can have "shades" of one colour, combine your colour with white, or have a scrap quilt of every colour of the rainbow. If you choose the latter, apparently you can "lift" the look of it by ensuring you always include a few turquoise patches in there. (Hey, you learn something new every day, huh?!)

Let us know which colour scheme you decide on. If you pm me your address, I for one will be happy to send you some material in that colour to get you started. (Go for it, I mean it!)

Personally, I love the "old fashioned" quilts rather than the newer ones which have clever patterns and lovely matching fabrics but somehow less charm, I always think (could just be me, of course). I am midway through making one (and have been for the last several years, all the patches are cut, I just come back to it every so often :rolleyes:) which is just shades of blue squares alternated with white - really simple, but very effective. Loads of people have commented how nice it'll look when it's finished :rotfl:

Good for you for getting something underway in 2010 - I am the ultimate million project girl - you never know, I might get one of them finished this year!

LilacLillie

Thanks for all the good tips.
I think I'll start a 'shades of blue' one.
I think I'm going to make it for my eldest son and his wife, they both love blue.
Her wedding dress was blue silk, that might be a nice start.
That's if I can use different fabrics. I really don't have a clue at this stage.
Already inspired by replies.
When I thought it up earlier, I rushed in the front room and announced it to DH, who was watching a programme about the Turin shroud.
I don't think he heard me??? He started to tell me about the programme.
I sulked a bit, he thinks its another 'pie in the sky' girlie project!
Why......... I'll teach him good.....................................
I like the idea of people each sending a piece to be added
LL

ChocClare

You do need to use the same sort/weight of fabric, so if your DIL's wedding dress was made of eg blue taffeta or blue dupion, then you'll need very similar fabrics to go with it and would probably need to make the whole lot out of silk and/or possibly velvet - which would look fantastic but might be a) expensive and b) a bit of a pain to wash!

Having said that, quilted silk does look wonderful, and I can still help you out with silk fabric (not that I own a shop or anything - just bought a load when I was India :rolleyes:)! You might be better off making something a bit smaller out of silks than a cover, say a cushion or a cover for a photo album? Just a thought...