A Quilt Is an Example of Which Purpose of Art
Of all the fiber arts, quilts are the nigh amazing. Non only are quilts lovely to look at, but they tell a story. In this beginner's guide to quilting, yous'll larn how to make a quilt from outset to end– and then you can tell a story of your own.
Quilts tell tales of important family unit events, gloat marriages and babies, certificate travel, and preserve memories. They not simply go on you warm, merely they are works of art.
In that location is no better time to learn how to make a quilt. Yes, quilts are a bit of work to brand, but the rewards of creating something so useful and expressive are worth the effort. The cloth options available today are wonderful, diverse, and oh-so-appealing.
Information technology's hard to get into a material store and not have your mind churn with creative ideas for the luscious patterns and colors. Fabric companies are even creating gorgeous palettes for coordinating pre-cut fabric that makes quilting easier than ever before. Check out these quilt jelly rolls
Learning how to brand a quilt is 1 of those traditional skills that is just cool to know. There is a misconception that quilting is too laborious and fourth dimension-consuming, just that does not have to be the case.
About This Quilting Guide
In this beginner's guide to quilting, we will suspension downward the basics of quilting and and then evidence you how to make a quilt with a beginner-friendly quilting project that you lot can achieve in a reasonable amount of time.
First, we volition become through the simple steps to create a beginner-friendly bed quilt. After learning the basics of quilting, you can employ these skills to other beginner-friendly projects such as mug rugs, quilted table runners, and bandana picnic quilts.
Gear up to finally learn how to quilt? Let's go to it!
How To Make A Quilt – Like shooting fish in a barrel Navigation
Stride 1. Quilting Supplies You Will Need
Step ii. Learning How To Quilt Starts With Planning
Step 3. Buying Your Quilt Textile
Stride 4. Prewashing Your Quilt Fabric
Step 5. Cutting Your Quilt Blocks
Pace 6. Piecing Your Quilt
Step 7. Quilt Backing Fabric and Quilt Batting
Step 8. How To Baste A Quilt
Pace 9. Machine Quilting And Quilting Stitches
Step 10. How To Bind A Quilt
Step eleven. Washing A Quilt And Proper Storage
Step 12. Across Quilting 101 – Practicing The Quilting Basics
Quilting Supplies You lot Volition Need
Before nosotros get-go quilting, make sure you have everything you demand. It'south unbelievably frustrating to brainstorm a project like this only to notice y'all are stuck considering you forgot some critical quilting supplies.
If these items are not in your budget, get artistic! Buy second-hand or merchandise or borrow from a friend. The possibilities are countless.
Here is a supply list for beginning quilters
Sewing automobile – Y'all can mitt sew, but it will have you lot much, much longer to consummate your projects. If you don't own a sewing motorcar, consider borrowing ane or ownership one 2d-hand from Craigslist or the classifieds to brand this big purchase affordable.
Needles for your machine – Information technology's a good idea to have at least one or two replacements.
Thread – Get a little more than yous retrieve you will need. If in incertitude, ask one of the people working at the fabric store to aid y'all judge. In my experience, the people working on the cut tables are very knowledgeable and helpful. Cull either a coordinating color or a contrasting colour co-ordinate to your personal preference.
Fabric shears – These are very precipitous pair of scissors that should only be used for cutting fabric (they tiresome when used for other purposes).
Thread pair of scissors – These are not entirely necessary, just are overnice considering they are small and easily maneuverable, making it easy to reach tight areas to cut thread.
Pins – You volition be using quite a few of these! Consider buying standard pins (glass-head pins are very nice), quilter'due south pins and basting pins.
Rotary cutting tool – This is technically an optional item, but information technology makes it And then much more than comfortable to cut your blocks. Consider splurging here.
Self-healing cutting mat – This is necessary just if you take a rotary cutter, but once more, this item is well worth it, specially if you programme to quilt regularly.
Presser foot – Presser foots are wonderful for creating uniform seam allowances.
Batting – Batting is the inner layer to your quilt and what makes it substantial, thick, and warm. Yous can apply any thickness of batting you'd like depending on what you lot'd want. Batting comes in various fibers such as cotton wool, wool, polyester, and fifty-fifty bamboo fiber. There are also other materials you tin can utilize for batting such equally upcycled sheets or blankets you take at home already. Flannel sheets, fleece blankets, felt, etc. can all exist used for batting.
Front fabric – Finally, you volition need fabric. This is the fun part! Browse and run into what catches your eye. You tin can mix and match patterns yourself, or use professionally coordinated fabrics. The choice is yours. Bask being creative and putting together a blend of materials that makes you happy.
Pro Tips
A proficient number to start with is around six different patterns. You tin can use a bit more or a chip less if you cull.
Although you tin cull a multifariousness of different fabrics to quilt with, we adopt cotton. Cotton is natural, and it performs well, washes easily, and feels nice and cozy.
It is a fleck of a controversy whether to choose textile first or choose your pattern first. For this beginner'south guide to quilting, we say, practise what yous like. This is an surface area to let your artistic juices period!
Learning How To Quilt Starts With Planning
You lot tin get inspiration from a variety of sources.
Where To Go Ideas
Libraries usually have an excellent option of quilting books to pore over and get ideas. Bookstore shelves take a variety of beautiful quilting magazines bachelor, and Pinterest provides an almost endless source of pattern ideas and creative inspiration. Additionally, you lot can design your quilt! It's incredibly fun and satisfying to create your slice of quilted art, even if yous're just learning how to brand a quilt.
Choosing The Size Of Your Quilt
After you accept called or designed a pattern, choose the size of quilt yous will make. Quilts are normally constructed in standard measurements:
- Twin 68″ x 89″
- Twin Extra Long 68″ x 94″
- Full/Double 84″ x 89″
- Queen xc″ x 94″
- Male monarch 106″ x 94″
- California King 100″ x 98″
- Crib 27″ 10 52″
- Youth 32″ 10 66″
Block Sizes
Later on you accept decided on your pattern and your quilt size, you will need to calculate the size of your blocks. If you are new to quilting, it's oft best to choose a blueprint that lays out the block sizes for you. However, if you have some feel or are feeling a little adventurous, you can practice the calculations yourself. I suggest using graph paper to aid with this. Don't worry; merely basic math skills are needed.
At that place are besides online quilting calculators that you can apply to aid you determine the size of your blocks.
Buying Your Quilt Fabric
You will demand 2 types of quilting cloth: front end fabric that features colors and patterns and backing that will go the underside of your quilt.
Front Cloth
One time you accept adamant the size your quilt block will exist, make sure to add actress for your seam allowance (this is the extra fabric you will utilize when sewing the blocks together). I use a 1/iv-inch seam allowance, and then if I were using five-inch quilt blocks, I would need to add one/2-inch to that measurement (1/4-inch extra textile on each side) earlier calculating the amount of textile to purchase.
Information technology's no fun to come short when you are in the middle of your project, so brand sure to get enough. In fact, I often add an extra 1/4 g on top of what I calculate I need to exist condom and to allow for mistakes.
Decide if yous will take a edge or sashing effectually the perimeter of your quilt and calculate the corporeality y'all will need for that as well.
Backing Fabric
Finally, you will demand backing for your quilt. Cull a unmarried fabric that will make up the unabridged dorsum-side of your quilt and calculate the amount you lot will demand for that also.
Depending on the thickness of your batting, you will need to accept a significantly larger seam allowance for your backing to compensate for the loft of the batting. I recommend buying an additional 4 inches for each side to make certain you take plenty. In one case you lot have checked and double-checked all your measurements, you lot are ready to purchase your fabrics.
Don't forget to inventory your supplies before you go and be sure to choice up your batting and plenty of thread in the right color while y'all are shopping. Make sure to record all your measurements and totals before y'all become. Yous're almost ready to begin your quilt!
Prewashing Your Quilt Fabric
This is an of import step and so don't be tempted to skip the laundering procedure. Washing removes excess dye, so the colors will non run during hereafter washes.
Also, fabrics may shrink. This factor is less of an issue than it used to be, but you do desire to account for shrinkage before you make your quilt to avoid pulling and uneven shrinkage. This is specially true if you are using more than i kind of textile (like some cotton and some polyester).
Another benefit is that washing removes the embedded fold in the material so everything will exist compatible and lie flat. After washing, your cloth will exist fresh and clean; some quilting fabrics come with a chemical olfactory property when they are new.
How to Wash Quilt Fabric
To launder fabrics, combine like colors and machine launder with warm water. Use a small corporeality of detergent but skip the fabric softener. (Y'all can use it afterward if you like, on the finished product.) Dry out on a medium rut setting and remove from dryer while withal just barely damp. Fe textile correct away to complete the drying process and remove wrinkles.
If you aren't ready to begin work on your quilt right away, fold fabrics neatly for future employ, just you will have to iron once again to remove creases.
If you are ready to begin, grab your scissors and remove loose threads from the edges, then you're all gear up to become!
Cutting Your Quilt Blocks
Make sure you are starting with freshly-ironed textile because it makes a divergence in the quality of your blocks and is so much easier to cut accurately.
Next, use a rotary cutting tool and self-healing cutting mat to cut your blocks. It is possible to cut all your blocks with scissors, but the rotary tool is quicker and more authentic.
A nice-size cutting mat for quilting is 36 10 24 inches.
Squaring Off Your Fabric
After your fabric has been done, dried, and ironed, you lot are ready to begin cut. The first step is to square off your fabric.
- Fold the fabric in half (normally lengthwise) and match upwardly the selvadges on either side
- Smooth out the cloth and brand certain the fold is lying overnice and flat
- Line upward the edge with your cutting mat and trim off whatever raw edges making certain to make neat, direct lines
- Cutting each side until your cloth is squared upwardly. Be certain not to waste cloth—cut but enough to make your edges straight
Marking Your Fabric
Side by side, you will need to marker your fabric to bespeak where you lot will cut your strips. You can go out your material folded in half if y'all similar, for efficiency, thereby cutting two strips at a time.
Figure out how wide your strips need to be. For example, if you are making simple 6-inch square blocks, mark every half-dozen inches on your fabric (fabric pencils are prissy for this purpose). Don't forget to add the appropriate seam allowance for your particular project. Before you cut, re-check your measurements to exist actress sure!
Cutting Your Fabric
At present y'all are set to begin cut. Position your ruler along the line y'all will exist cutting. Hold it steady with the hand that volition not be cut, and printing the cutting tool firmly against the ruler. Move information technology slowly away from you lot, maintaining steady pressure level. Readjust the ruler hand as necessary to keep information technology placed securely. Retrieve, the rotary cutting tool bract is very sharp.
Watch your fingers! Check each strip carefully after cut before you go on to the next piece to avoid uneven or crooked strips. You lot tin can always square up the cloth again if y'all've made a mistake.
After you've finished your strips, cut them horizontally to create the detail size blocks that your project requires. Cut is frequently the most tiresome task in quilt-making, simply be sure to take your fourth dimension and cut advisedly. You volition feel and so accomplished when you have stacks of neatly cut fabric ready for you to sew!
Piecing Your Quilt
Now for the fun part! Piecing your quilt is the step where y'all get to see your hard work start to pay off.
Begin by laying out one section of your quilt. The part you decide to lay out depends on your design. For example, if you lot are making a simple nine-patch quilt, lay out all 9 squares to make up one consummate cake. Iron again if necessary, and then begin pinning. One time you lot take finished pinning your cloth, you are ready to run up.
Pro Tip: Make sure to employ the seam allowance you lot decided on when calculating how much textile yous needed. A one/4-inch seam allowance is most common.
Begin carefully sewing your pieces together and call up to remove pins as you go rather than sewing over them. A cleaved needle is an avoidable badgerer. Stitch one row at a time, remembering to continue an eye on your seam allowance to proceed them nice and even.
Piecing your quilt is the step where you get to see your hard work starting time to pay off.
After each row, press down your seams to go along them apartment. Some recommend ironing them open, but we prefer to press them to one side.
Go on with this method row by row until you have finished piecing the entire quilt. Be careful to keep making certain your seams line up nicely as y'all go.
Quilt Bankroll Fabric and Quilt Batting
Now you will need to fix your quilt back.
Quilt Backing
If you are able, use 1 big piece for the back (some people like using bed sheets for this since they are large enough although this is controversial, as some seasoned quilters feel they are non every bit durable due to their high thread count and subsequent thread breakage).
We recommend that your back exist 4 inches larger than the forepart to allow for batting.
If one large piece of fabric is non possible or desired, you lot volition need to piece the dorsum together. We recommend that your back be four inches larger than the front to allow for batting. Beginning quilters should employ a quilt bankroll calculator to help you lot determine the corporeality of fabric you lot will need to accommodate batting.
For efficient use of textile, we recommend that quilts up to sixty inches have horizontal seams on the back and for larger quilts, vertical seams. It is also a good idea to increase your seam allowances to 1/two-inch when piecing your back together for additional strength.
Don't forget to trim the selvedge before sewing and make sure to gear up your backing fabrics the aforementioned way you did for your quilt top, washing and ironing as needed.
Quilt Batting
Side by side, you will demand to prepare your batting (likewise known as wadding in the UK and Australia).
What y'all cull for batting is a personal choice and we recommend researching or chatting with a knowledgeable person at the fabric store before making your decision. Y'all can buy pre-cut batting in standard sizes such as crib, twin, queen, etc. or you tin can purchase batting on a roll and cut information technology yourself.
…it's a skilful thought to unpack your batting and unfold or unroll it the dark before you use information technology, giving information technology time to relax.
You too demand to determine the material (cotton wool, wool, polyester, a blend, etc.) that yous want to utilize based on your needs and desires. You will want to consider loft (the weight and thickness of the batting). Yous may also want to consider warmth and toll when choosing batting.
Once you accept made your choice, information technology's a skilful idea to unpack your batting and unfold or unroll it the nighttime before yous use information technology, giving information technology time to relax. This will provide you with a smoother finished product and avoid bumps from fold lines.
Now you are set to cut your batting. Even if you have purchased a standard size batting, you volition likely demand to trim it some. The batting needs to be cut larger than the quilt tiptop but smaller than the quilt back. Somewhere about halfway between the two measurements works nicely.
After your backing and batting have been cutting correctly, you are ready to move on to assembling your quilt.
How To Drip A Quilt
This is a fun pace where yous volition brainstorm to run into your quilt take shape. Essentially y'all are making a sandwich every bit you assemble the quilt top, the batting, and the backing.
At that place are several ways to do this, including pin basting, spray basting, fusible basting, and thread basting. However, the two most common methods are pin basting and spray agglutinative basting. We prefer pivot basting, but feel free to inquiry the other methods and adjust as necessary.
Next, you will need to decide where you desire to piece of work. Because of the size of many quilts, it's easiest to work on the floor. Other options include laying down a sheet of plywood over an existing table to increment its size, or even using something like a ping pong table if you have ane. Use whatsoever surface gives you plenty of room to work.
Laying Your Quilt
Start by laying out your quilt back the wrong side up. Some quilters recommend taping the backing down every few inches to keep it pulled tight. After your back is spread out and smoothed flat, layer on your batting, followed by your quilt top (right side upward).
Use either ane one/two-inch safety pins, or 1 i/2-inch basting pins to begin pinning all three layers together every iii–4 inches.
First in the middle and move outwards to the edges. If you lot would rather not exist bothered by having to remove pins constantly as you sew, be mindful virtually how y'all place your pins, and avert areas that y'all know you lot will be sewing over.
Pro Tip: To give you some idea, you should accept at to the lowest degree 100 pins in a twin size quilt, and as many as 500 for a full-size quilt. Again, this is a topic where people'south opinions vary widely, but I would err on the side of generosity and utilise more than. In one case y'all take your quilt sandwich securely pinned, yous are ready to begin sewing!
Machine Quilting And Quilting Stitches
At that place are diverse options for quilting, but I will be focusing on car quilting. It is possible to accept your quilt professionally quilted or to mitt quilt, but the most mutual choice is habitation motorcar quilting.
Quilting is what gives a quilt its personality. At the most basic level, quilting merely holds the quilt together, but the design gives dimension and additional artistry to the slice. Let your creativity dictate what you make up one's mind to practise. Simplicity can be beautiful, every bit can an intricate pattern. Choose whatsoever makes you happy and what your skill level allows.
Stitching
Equally far equally stitching goes, there are many options for this as well. The simplest method is called "stitch-in-the-ditch" and this is a skilful place to start. You simply apply your seams to guide you, sewing just side by side to them until you have finished the entire quilt. This is a lovely selection and produces a dainty production.
Just slightly more complicated than following the seams is direct quilting. In addition to following the seams, you can create diagonal lines, parallel lines, perpendicular lines, etc. This method also produces a very prissy finished production.
Numerous quilting templates are available as are staples such equally chalk pencils and old-fashioned rulers. One time yous have marked your pattern on your fabric, to follow a more complex design, the quilter uses a method called gratuitous move quilting. This arroyo allows the quilter to freely movement the cloth in any direction to follow an intricate design. Information technology usually takes some practice to become proficient at gratis motion quilting but is rewarding to master!
Sketching And Marking Your Pattern
There are of course many more quilting options allowing you to get equally intricate and equally fancy as you'd like. If you want to try something more than adventurous, many products are bachelor to help you lot design your pattern. Many quilters recommend sketching out their quilt on paper and then drawing in the design they'd like to quilt over that.
Try several different designs if you lot'd like to see which yous like best. One time y'all have called your design and marked your pattern on your quilt (using something similar a chalk pencil or material pen with disappearing ink), you are prepare to begin quilting.
How To Begin Stitching
Use 100 percent cotton thread in the needle and the bobbin and a universal size sewing needle.
Y'all may need to arrange the stitch length and possibly the tension depending on the method you use (sew together-in-the-ditch, directly line, or free motion) too equally the thickness of your quilt. You may also desire to change the foot you are using. For the two more straightforward stitching methods, employ a walking foot. For free motion stitching, you should use a darning pes.
As far as where to kickoff quilting, you should determine what you are most comfortable with, equally there is no "right" reply. Some people adopt to start in the middle, others at the edges. However, for large quilts, it is common to start in the middle. Many quilters prefer rolling up the backlog fabric and tying it or clipping information technology to keep it from unrolling, and so holding the bulk to the left of the machine.
Preventing Stitches From Coming Loose and Stabilizing The Quilt
When starting time each new row of stitches, it is essential to either dorsum-sew or lock-sew together to prevent stitches from coming loose. There are other more complicated methods for achieving the aforementioned thing with a less intrusive await on the back, just the back-run up and lock-run up methods work consistently well for beginners. There are helpful videos online that explain these techniques for beginners, including this i beneath.
Then, proceed with the stitching method you have called. For beginners, I would over again recommend using the stitch-in-the-ditch method. Brand sure your car is ready correctly (feed dogs upwards and run up length set up to 2.0–3.0).
Begin stitching carefully. The first few lines will stabilize the quilt and help to forestall information technology from moving every bit y'all piece of work.
Begin stitching carefully. The first few lines will stabilize the quilt and assistance to prevent information technology from moving as you work. A proficient way to exercise this is to move beyond the entire length or width of the quilt if you have blocks that allow for that. Many quilters feel that it is best to sew together length-wise first and beyond the width 2d. The goal is to sew across a big section of your quilt to proceed it from shifting afterwards.
Continue working from your starting signal outwards until the unabridged quilt has been stitched.
I like to sew all the lines in a single direction and and then turn the quilt xc degrees to keep sewing in a new management. Double check that you lot accept not missed anything. Once you have finished this pace, yous are most finished!
How To Bind A Quilt
Simply put, the bounden is simply the strips of fabric that attaches the quilt tiptop to the quilt dorsum and finishes the quilt.
Choosing The Binding Material And Computing How Much Yous Will Need
Choose fabric that volition hold upwardly well so y'all can use it for years to come. I generally choose cotton for my quilt elevation and practice the aforementioned for the binding. For near quilts (unless they are tiny similar a crib quilt) you can use 4 i/2-inch strips of binding.
To calculate the amount of bounden you'll need, add together the length of each side to find the perimeter, then add together four to v inches for each side. So, for example, if y'all had a quilt that was lx inches by 80 inches, you would have a total of 300 inches (60+threescore+lxxx+eighty+20) assuming you added v inches per side.
Sewing The Bounden Strips
After cutting your strips, stitch them into one long, continuous strip per side. When attaching one strip to another, information technology is best to sew at a 45-caste bending. To do this, place the strips at a 90-degree bending, forming an "L." Then stitch diagonally across the corner. Then, use your rotary cutter to trim the seam assart to 1/4 inch. Once y'all have your strips sewn together, press the seams and iron the entire length.
Next, trim excess batting.
Employ your ruler or square ruler to foursquare upwardly your quilt. Then begin laying out your bounden on the quilt top, playing effectually with it to get the strips placed only correct. There are varying opinions on whether or not to pin at this stage. My advice is to do what you are comfortable with. Line upwards the edges of your binding strips with the edges of your quilt and begin sewing using a 1/4-inch seam allowance.
Pro Tips
Do non begin at the corner. Always start several inches abroad from the corner. The reason for this will become apparent equally y'all near your corners.
Use a walking foot for this step. When you reach the corner, run up correct off the edge. Then, pull the quilt out from the machine, turn as necessary and fold the bounden over to create a mitered corner. You will need to tuck a small-scale amount of textile underneath the fold.
Begin stitching your way downwards the adjacent side of the quilt until you lot accomplish the corner, mitering each corner as you lot become.
When you reach the end of a binding strip, cease sewing while you have approximately 6 inches of tail left. Then, trim near of the excess leaving a couple of inches. Overlay the adjacent strip, tucking the trimmed tail of the last strip underneath, and begin sewing again. When you reach your starting point, use this overlay method to close the loop on your continuous stretch of binding that has at present fully outlined your quilt elevation.
Finish The Back Of The Quilt
At present you lot are gear up to fold your bounden over and finish the back of the quilt.
Fold the bounden over then fold once more to create a hem. Pin in place and proceed working around the perimeter of the back, mitering the corners by folding. Once yous have finished pinning, stitch-in-the-ditch to attach your bounden to the quilt back.
You have a finished beginner's quilt! Congratulations!
Washing A Quilt And Proper Storage
Quilt Washing
Since we have pre-washed our fabrics, many concerns with washing our quilt for the first time are eliminated. But, nosotros still desire to be gentle on our new creations and encourage them to last and terminal.
There are many varying opinions on how to wash a quilt, ranging from hand-washing in distilled water to just tossing it in with the rest of the launder. However, a cautious, but realistic happy-medium approach is what I like to use.
- First with choosing a dye-free, unscented liquid detergent.
- Skip any fabric softener or bleach as these tin can damage your fabrics.
- Employ a warm water setting on your machine and use the recommended amount of detergent listed on the packaging.
- If yous are able, choose extra rinse time on your motorcar to ensure that no detergent balance is on your quilt. Most cotton fiber quilts will hold upwards fine in the dryer on a regular tumble dry setting.
- Do non launder your quilt more than is necessary.
- Alternatives to washing are airing out (hanging outside for just a few hours) or tumble dry for 20 minutes or and so to freshen quilts up. We want to be gentle on our new creations and encourage them to last.
Quilt Storage
Equally for storing quilts, the all-time is on an unused bed. If you lot want to fold them up for storage, practise not identify them in plastic. Natural fabrics need to breathe. If you want to put them in something, you tin use a pillowcase.
The best identify for your new creation is out where everyone can enjoy it!
Tissue paper can be placed between the folds if you lot like to help preclude permanent creases. Never place quilts any place that may become damp (like a basement). Quilts are made to be used, so only shop them abroad if you really must. The best identify for your new cosmos is out where everyone can enjoy it!
Beyond Quilting 101 – Practicing The Quilting Basics
Once you lot have mastered the basics of beginner quilting, it'due south fun to go exercise by making quick and rewarding projects. Hither is a list of ideas that any new quilter tin can brand in a short amount of time.
Beginner Quilting Ideas:
- Mug Rugs
- Candle Mats
- Pillow Covers
- Bandana Picnic Blanket
- Quilted Table Runner
- Crib Quilt To Match Blankets
- Christmas Tree Brim
- Quilted Christmas Stockings
- Quilted Christmas Ornaments
- Wall Hanging
- Pot Holders
- Placemats
- Quilted Back Seat Savers
- Quilted Nap Mats
- Quilt As You Go Quilts (to use backlog fabric)
- Throw Blankets
- Memory Photo Quilt
All these ideas and more tin can be completed speedily and with only basic quilting skills.
We hope you enjoyed this beginner's guide to quilting! The all-time way to learn how to make a quilt is to dive right in and learn while cutting/stitching/basting. You'll be making new creations in no time.
Source: https://mollygreen.com/blog/how-to-make-a-quilt/