May we discuss Quilting?

LizD_2

That's a good idea, sadly my local library is rather lacking in textile related books: it's more cooking and gardening on the shelves! I'll give it a go though.

dumpy

Can you reserve a book? I used to do this at a fairly low cost and they got them in from other libraries.

I've a sampler quilt book (can't remeber who it is by, it's on Amazon though) and it shows you how to make all the different squares and how to put them together. Looks fab and I'm always inspried when I flick through it.

When they invent the 60 hour day I'm going to make one for us.......

LizD_2

dumpy wrote:

When they invent the 60 hour day I'm going to make one for us.......

same here!

pol

Try here, there are free patterns and projects as well as instructions.

pol

katie_jane_2

hi hope nobody minds me resurrecting this old thread but found it really useful as im about to start my first patchwork quilt.have plenty of cotton fabric threads pins sewing machine etc ............and a few questions
does anyone know how to work out the amount of 4" squares needed to make a single bedspread? do i make my template 5" to allow for seam allowance? why are pinkin shears preferable to ordinary scissors?
any advice truly welcome am hoping to start tonight onece the sprogs are in bed and i am v.exited (crikey do i sound beyond sad exitment used to come in other forms im sure im only 30 honest!)

csarinaknight

There is lots of advice in quilting on the net, if you are making 4" squares you need to cut the squares 4 1/2 inches square, the seam allowance is 1/4" are you sewing by machine or hand? if you are using the machine you need to mark the throat plate with some tape so that you sew 1/4" accurate seams.

To do this get a ruler and lower the needle into the quarter inch mark and then use masking tape to mark the plate, put several layers of tape on so you have a lip to guide the fabric along.

I do not use scissiors to cut out but a cutting board, rotary cutter and ruler, its far more accurate............. I think you may need to do a bit of reading before you start on your quilt.................and probably better to start with something slightly smaller, a bed quilt is a serious undertaking for a beginner.

If you are sewing by hand you need to mark the quarter inch line all round the squares and make sure you sew on the line when you are sewing the squares together. You need to sew in lines and press each row with the seams to one side, the next line needs the seams pressed in the opposite side so when you come to sew the rows together, they 'nest' so they fit together properly and your squares exactly match.

Quilting is a huge subject, as I said there is plenty of info on the net put in patchwork and quilting and follow your nose.....................

Have a look on Amazon for a good beginners book.....there are dozens around.....good luck.................

katie_jane_2

thanks for that i have ordered quilting for dummies and im hoping that will help i am planning to sew by machine.

scrimpingbadger

I find a rotary blade more useful and you can cut through 2/3 layers at a time. Haven't tried pinking shears.... mmmmm.....could buy some.......no, mustn't!!
Oh to have the time to quilt (*sigh*)

moanymoany

Try this site

http://quilting.about.com/

There are lots of patterns for quilts. I've found that different weights of fabric, within reason - not silk and tweed!!!! - work well when they are quilted. I'm planning a 'rail fence' quilt using 'quilt as you go'. This means that larger quilts can be made on a machine. This is a simple but very effective pattern and looks very ' Little House on the Prairie'. I'm lucky as my DH's job often takes him to the USA and he often brings me back quilting books.

http://www.blackberryquilts.com/home/bbq/page/116/7

http://www.doodle-head.com/quilt/allison/railfence.html

http://hometown.aol.com/qltblockcenter/bombeg/0010.html

http://www.victorianaquiltdesigns.com/VictorianaQuilters/PatternPage/EasyBeginnersRailFence/EasyBeginnersRailFence.htm



Wow, just found this - a video!
http://www.brightcove.com/title.jsp?title=932810619&channel=156457828&lineup=741861815

another video - how to machine quilt.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTs9O4tETCI

katie_jane_2

thanks everyone all been a great help. think ive got my head round it ......mostly just stuck with pressing is it necessary im assumin i do this after sewing a 9 block is this right?