Learn To Make A Quilt

Learn To Make a Quilt. It's easier than you think with these easy to follow instructions, you will discover tips and techniques necessary to make that heirloom that will endure for years.

There is no one absolute method or set of rules to follow when learning to make a quilt. New techniques are constantly being developed and changed to save time while accomplishing the same results.

Although the most popular method for years has been using templates and cutting patches of material with a pair of scissors, another method know as rotary cutting is gaining popularity due to the ease and speed.

Machine quilting has gained some measure of popularity for those who want to avoid the hobby aspect and merely produce quilts in quantity. Which ever method you choose, develop your own personal touch to distinguish yourself from the rest and you will gain a greater sense of satisfaction.

An excellent way to learn to make a quilt is by reading quilting patterns. This may sound a little backwards at first, but will help you gain a better understanding of the techniques and quilting terms.

You will probably want to make most of your quilts with cotton fabrics. It is very important to learn the characteristics of fabrics before you wash or cut them. After all, you want the quilt to be as soft and comfy as possible.

Learn to make your first quilt using Block Patterns. This is the probably the easiest method to start with. Once you have mastered this, you can move on to patterns for complete quilts.

Choose a color you are comfortable with, perhaps something that compliments your bedroom decor or your personal tastes. This will save a lot of confusion when you visit your favorite fabric store.

Understanding the value of color, how light or dark, is important also. This will assist you in determining how to blend and contrast you colors and patterns.

Don't be intimidated by all the new terms you will be learning. In no time they will become familiar and part of your everyday language. Remember, when doing anything for the first time, there is a learning curve.

I suggest you learn to make your first quilt a baby quilt or perhaps a lap quilt. Once you have mastered this, move on to something a little bigger and more elaborate.

This is just general information, but where do I begin? Great question and one that is most often asked by beginners.

First begin by planning. By that we mean, determine what kind of quilt you want ro make, baby, traditional, rag, crazy or patchwork to name a few.
Next select your design. With so many patterns available today, this should be one of the easiest steps. You can brouse the internet, visit fabric stores or refer to patterns, books and magazines.
Determine the size of your quilt, crib, twin, full, queen, king, or maby just a wall hanging. This is neessary to calculate the material needed.
Other materials will be needed to create your masterpiece, such as thread, needles, rotary cutter, faric batting, etc. Refer to our online store for all your quilting supplies. NOTE: Backing material should be at least three inches larger than the quilt size.
Old clothing is a great source to look for material, keeping in mind the color theme.
Using a sharp pair of scissors, prepare the indicvidual quilt pieces and cut out all the seams, pleats , and hems, assuming your are using old clothing.
Next, cut the fabric into the shapes you have chosen for your quilt design.
Pre-wash and iron the material to prevent shrinking and fading later. See pressing and learn why this is so important.
Begin stitching the pieces together, by hand or machine to form your quilt blocks or patterns.

If you are really anxious to get started immediately, the E-Books below are a great way to begin. You can download to your PC. The titles may sound a little insulting, but they are really good for beginners.


The Complete Idiot's Guide to Quilting	Teach Yourself VISUALLY Quilting	Quilting For DummiesÂ®	Quilting the Black-Eyed Pea	Quilting VISUAL Quick Tips

Once your quilt top is finished it's time to plan your quilting design.

If you decide to stitch a simple design, it could be possible to quilt without marking your quilt.

Use 1/4 inch wide masking tape to mark my design. It's easy to find - either at a quilt shop or paint store - and fairly inexpensive.

As you can imagine, you can mark straight lines for quilting. In addition, you can mark some gentle curves using the tape.

You can place it on your quilt, stitch your quilting stitches, and then move the tape to a new place on the quilt. It's usually good for 3-4 moves before it won't stick any more.

If you are going to quilt a grid or parallel lines, using wider masking tape (or painters' tape - the blue stuff) is a good choice since you can quilt on both sides of the tape.

If you have a more involved design, marking your quilt with masking tape usually doesn't work.

There are still several things to choose from, and one of them is Soapstone. Try using this and you will be pretty impressed.

NOTE Now this topic is pretty far out - who pays attention to the back
of their quilt?

Problem is, now that it's been mentioned, chances are you will too!

This is the thing. when we quilt, we are looking at the top of
the quilt, not the back, usually. And sometimes there are

spots on the back that are left un-quilted, because it does't
make any sense to put quilting there when you look at the front.

Yet, on the back, not only is the spot un-quilted, but it has a pooch.

Solution - with the back facing up, take some quilting stiches
to fill the spot or flatten the pooch. Take not to stitch through

to the top. Just quilt through the backing and the batting.

This also works if you don't want to quilt through seam allowances.
On the front, quilt through the top and batting. then turn the quilt over

and quilt on the back through the backing and batting.

Your finished quilt will have continious quilting lines that
are the same length.

Custom Search