Quilting Basics + FREE Ebook

There is nothing more comforting than an old fashioned quilt to snuggle up under. This is one of the fundamental things that people grow up with and it never seems to change. A quilt is a symbol of comfort and many times they are things that are passed down through the generations and it only serves to offer a level of comfort that we have all come to rely on. There is no reason why everyone should not have the same level of comfort. There are many places out there that are making quilts using a machine, called a quilting machine and these are not what you want! These are actually nothing more than comforters that can be found in any store for amazingly high prices. The quilts that you actually want are the one you have made yourself!

The method of creating a quilt consists of various fundamental steps: measuring, cutting, marking and stitching. Every stage consists of specific tools along with methods which can save some time and make the activity you want much easier to accomplish.

4 Steps to Quilting

The starting point will be to choose a quilt design or style, along with your fabric. For anyone who is a novice, select a basic design to get started with. Try to visualize you completed quilt. Exactly what color would you like it to be? Would you like to combine unique prints with solids? Prints can vary from plaids to florals or even stripes. Solid fabrics are available in pretty much every color conceivable. Cotton fabric tends to be the simplest fabric to work with. You should not be scared to play around. All of the fabrics must be pre-washed in mild detergent and warm water, dried and pressed.

Step two consists of measuring and cutting. If you purchase quality-cutting equipment, use them solely for sewing. This tends to keep them razor-sharp thereby making the cuts accurate at the same time saving time. Rotary cutters can be purchased in several sizes. They let you cut smooth edges on several layers of fabric quickly and easily. Tiny cutters work nicely on curves: large cutters are excellent for long straight lines along with several layers of fabric. Cutting mats need to be employed with rotary cutters. An excellent transparent ruler is additionally a helpful piece of equipment. Sewing scissors and shears will also be necessary. Precision is essential in quilting. Making the effort to cut accurately will guarantee the quilt pieces fit together beautifully.

Marking tools need to be tested before you utilize them. You need the marks to come out simply without damaging the material. Special quilter’s pencils can be obtained with white or gray lead, and an eraser on the end. Other styles include soapstone, that is made from pressed talc, and is water-soluble, which is really ideal for darker fabrics. Marks from each kind can be taken off with a damp cloth.

Step three consists of stitching. Each quilt piece has to be layered and basted before the actual quilting is involved. Quilting pins must be used to hold pieces together. Should you be hand basting there exist specific needles, with small round eyes, which are loved by quilter’s. Employ a single strand of white 100 % cotton thread to baste. You might however, opt to work with curved, rustproof safety pins to make the basting process quicker and easier.

Pressing at every phase of the fabrication is essential. Apply the tip of the iron and move in the direction of the grain lines. The general guideline of quilting is always to press every stitched seam before crossing it with another.

Quilting is the fourth step. Quilting keeps the quilt top, batting, and backing together. Moreover, it provides texture and greatly enhances the design. You can quilt by hand as well as by machine. Hand quilting is the classic technique; machine quilting requires significantly less time as well as being sturdier.

Binding is the last step in producing a quilt. Binding fabrics can either match or complement the other fabrics in the quilt. Binding will also help to square up the finished quilt.

Check Out: Ultimate Knitting Guide for Beginners

Important when starting out is to learn the main quilting terms:

1. Applique – Appliques are pieces of fabric applied to other pieces of fabric, using fusible webbing or stitching. The stitching can be done by hand or with a machine. Buttonhole, satin or blind stitches are the usual methods used.

2. Basting – Spray basting, thread basting and pin basting are common methods of basting. This process involves holding the quilt top, batting (the middle layer between quilts – usually cotton, wool or polyester) and backing together to finally sew it all together.

3. Bearding – the process of pulling the batting fibers through the tops and bottoms of the quilt, through the holes created during sewing, to produce a whiskered effect.

4. Cheater’s Panel/Cloth – They are pieces of fabric printed with quilt block designs. They are made to resemble a pieced or appliqued quilt top.

For more help, check out this video “Quilting for Beginners” by Create & Craft TV