May we discuss Quilting?

SavingSu

Oooh, a new quilting thread. Haven't been online much lately and it's a lovely surprise! I love quilting but never seem to be able to finish anything as there's always so many new patterns and techniques I want to try. I've been trying to spend less time on the internet as well.

I have loads of blogs and quilting-related sites in my favourites on my home PC so this weekend I'll try to post the links. See, knew all that time spend in what looked like aimless internet activity would be useful one day!

nannaC

Penelope_Penguin wrote: »

This is the fabric that I've bought to make a quilt for DD :j



I'm intending to make it simply, with squares and a border (possibly a different fabric). I have no rotary cutter (but do have a cutting mat ).


Can someone advise please:

• what size squares do you recommend?
• what is the best way to cut them out?

Tia, Penny. x

Hi, what gorgeous fabric. If you are going to use squares the best way is to rip the fabric. Sounds drastic but I'll explain, fabric will always rip on the true [warp/weft], so I simply measure say 6" from the edge, make a nick with sissors then rip, making a long strip, I then rip the strip into 6" pieces. Do'nt forget to use old clothes to add to patch hord. I use bits of shirts/blouses/skirts/trousers, infact anything that looks good. I also unpick old duvets, the filling can be used for quilting, and the outer makes good backing for your patchwork.

rosieben

I've been an infrequent lurker on the quilting threads but I had to post this link, found this morning on the net, I'll post the link on the knitting thread too

http://craftandhobby.wordpress.com/2010/03/29/wall-street-journal-story-on-truckers-that-knit-and-quilt/

I'm hoping to read back through the old thread this week, I want to make a baby quilt, small = not so scarey!

zippychick

Hi Rosieben

Nice to see you about and posting .I've not "seen" you around in ages

Zip x

rosieben

zippychick wrote: »

Hi Rosieben

Nice to see you about and posting .I've not "seen" you around in ages

Zip x

Hi Zip :wave: I'm afraid RL got in the way for a few weeks but I'm back and looking forward to catching up with everyone, x :beer:

Diana_Prince

Evening all!

Not sure I'm posting in the right place but hopefully someone can point me in the right direction!

I would like to attempt to make a patchwork quilt. I'm a TOTAL beginner (minus a little sewing at school) so a nice easy pattern would be fab!!! Ideally I'd like a larger one to snuggle under!

Thanks in advance!

Penelope_Penguin

There's a thread here (I'll merge this one later) I found that getting a few books from the library was the best way to start. I then planned a patchwork design, and started off.

Nearly finished now, so I've set aside 2 days at the end of the week to do more :T

rowsew

Hi
I started making quilts when was at high school in Connecticut in 1989 when I was 16, and have been making them on and off since then. The very simplest quilt to make is one made of equal sized squares. They don't have to be boring, but they do have to be all the same type of material - ie, wool, cotton or flannel otherwise you have major washing problems!
You can make the squares big or small, and then choose your colours - for example - a central colour surrounded by graduated colours in darker or lighter shades, an I Spy quilt where every square is made of a different print - these are great for kids cause you can get them spotting things - where's the cat? and so on, vertical or horizontal stripes of colour or shade, checkerboard patterns. There are so many different combinations!
The sewing part then is easy - straight lines all the way. Traditional seam allowances are 1/4" (5mm if you're metric), pressed to the darker fabric, not apart like in dressmaking. You can sew a whole row together, then another and so on until you have enough for the width you want, then you attach one row to the next and so on. Then you can choose to add borders to finish it off - or not, then you need the backing and padding - usually called wadding. Cut these to the same size as the top and tack together - a big cross one way, then the other, then round the edges. At this point, you can choose to quilt the quilt, or tie it, either must be done before you finish the edges with binding.
The best book I can recommend is Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! by Diana Mclune and Laura Nownes (see Amazon or Green Metropolis or try the library). This is the one my teacher used when I was learning, it's suitable for beginners, has a great variety of information about the processes used, fabulous pictures, and good concise instructions. I still use it today, particularly for working out quantities of fabric needed for different sizes of quilt.
I wish you luck and much joy in making quilts.

lucy_lemon

This post is definitely timed well - I have been dithering about making a patchwork quilt for the past couple of weeks. This might just be the hint I need :-)

LJM

im nervous about trying it the cushions are easy but i find it a daunting project to start, perhaps its just me but im sure i will get over it as i would love to make one