Aligning the Quilt Sandwich I have finished the Mini Quilt and in doing so have also prepared a simple tutorial to show you how I go about aligning a pieced quilt back with the quilt top. The back for this quilt was pieced with a horizontal strip of small squares of fabric and was at least three inches larger than the quilt top. To baste the quilt the backing was taped right side down on a hard surface. This quilt was small enough to baste on my work table, which sure makes it an easier task than on the floor. This image shows where the backing, batting and quilt top were marked for both the top and LHS and RHS. The next step is to place the batting on top of the backing ensuring it is centered. Each edge of the quilt top was then also marked with its center point using a pin. Guide lines for quilting The plan for quilting the Mini Quilt was always going to be a squared off spiral, starting in the center of the quilt and spiraling out to the edges of the quilt.
How to Quilt: Scrap Quilts How to Quilt>Scrap Quilts Bonnie Hunter is a quilter who specializes in scrap quilts using fabric from thrift shops or donations from friends' closets. Recently she visited with us for our Eavesdrop on a Telephone Conversation, and the specific topic was how to choose the garments at a thrift shop that will make great fabric for a quilt. Here is a sampling of her answers: Penny: How do you know whether a particular garment would make a good fabric for a quilt? Bonnie: I look for garments the same way I look for fabric. If it says 100% cotton, then that’s the first thing I’ll look for. The next thing I check is how the fabric feels in my hand. I look for the same kinds of things when I look for articles of clothing to cut up for fabric. Penny: You don’t use polyester? Bonnie: No, I don’t. Men’s shirts, so far, have not incorporated spandex. Penny: How do you estimate how much fabric you’ll be able to get from a particular garment? Bonnie: The size of the garment will give you an idea.
miteredbordersworksheet Quilt Dad: orbc quilt-along Thank you all so much for the wonderful feedback you've been leaving me on my last tutorial. I am so glad to hear that I've been able to help so many new quilters (and even some older, but new-to-wonky quilters!) get started on this new project. I've even heard from some of the more experienced quilters that I was able to offer a few new tips, which is great. Before moving on to today's tutorial, I wanted to take care of a few pieces of business. There are, however, two points of clarification that I want to call out here. You can also begin to introduce pieced strips to make longer usable strips out of too-short ones, a technique I'll be introducing in this post. Second, I also want to comment on fabric requirements for the quilt along. Finally, I made the block from the first tutorial into an adorable little quilted pillow for my giveaway winner. I tried something new on this one: a quick binding sewn on to the edge of the back flap. Congrats, Nichole! ... and trim. Oh, wait. Uh oh.
a string quilt block tutorial – paper pieced method I’m so blown away by all the wonderful comments on my string quilt, now aptly named ‘Kaleidoscope’ (many thanks to Kerri who was the first to suggest it, followed by 9 others of you who had the same thought!) I think it’s just perfect. And now, a quick tutorial – I had a few requests for a tutorial on making this type of quilt, so I figured I’d oblige (it’s the least I can do, right?). This shows the paper piecing method, which is my preferred method. To start, you’ll want to decide on the size of your blocks. Cut squares of your desired size from the copy paper and set aside. Decide on your fabrics and cut strips of a variety of widths. I wanted to have a small strip of white separate the squares in my quilt, so I cut 1″ strips of a solid white fabric. Next we’ll temporarily attach the white strips to the paper squares. Now you can start sewing on your fabric strips! (please ignore my wrinkly fabric! Align the edges and sew with a 1/4″ seam allowance. Repeat for all your paper squares.
Tutorial Tuesday: Quilt Binding (works for your mug rugs too) The kind folks over at Jacqui Small sent me a review copy of Contemporary Upholstery by Hannah Stanton. Although the book was free, the opinions are genuine and are really mine. So since I had the book, I figured I’d better give it a genuine test drive. I found this chair at a sewing shop (I know, right?! Best. Shop. Nothing wrong with it, just a little bland. But obviously painting it isn’t really the tricky part. I also appreciated the clear descriptions of techniques. Fortunately the webbing and seat had been recently replaced. And I’m so proud of myself! And here it is with the new, sexy reupholstery job: Look how well that corner turned out! If you want a copy for yourself (and I know you do!) To order Contemporary Upholstery (9781906417918) for £16.00 including p&p* (RRP: £20.00), telephone 01903 828503 and quote offer code JS216. It’s also available on Amazon UK and on Amazon US Declare Your Questionable Taste To Your Friends:
Attempting Applique My fabric line, The Garden Club, is FULL of images perfect for applique. My trouble is, however, that 1) I don't have tons of experience with applique and 2) I don't have a sewing machine that can do a blanket stitch or even a good satin stitch, believe it or not. So when I set out to make this quilt for Benartex's display at Bernina University, I had issues. My machine couldn't/wouldn't do any standard applique stitches. I used embroidery floss to do a simple running stitch around all of the applique shapes plus some of the details within the birdhouses, which is an effect that I really like. My friend Sharon came to the rescue once again on the quilting and binding = I did her son's senior portraits, she did a beautiful job on the quilt. And, despite puncturing my leg on a rock (hit an artery = an amazing amount of blood!)
running in circles tutorial Thanks so much for all the kind comments on my running in circles quilt. I had so much fun making it! It was great to start and finish a quilt in one fell swoop. It's been quite awhile since I did that. I took photos along the way so I could share a tutorial. Materials Needed: 40 pieces of fabric at least 9" x 19"-a total of 5 yards (I used 36 different fabrics) 60" x 74" batting 3 1/2 yards backing fabric 1/2 yard binding fabric Special Tools: Elisa's Backporch 7" crazy curve acrylic templates A and B. Optional: rotating cutting mat Fold each piece of fabric in half, so you can cut 2 layers of fabric at once. After cutting, you should have 2 pieces of the outside curve and 2 pieces of the inside curve. Cut a total of 80 pieces of each. Assembly:All seam allowances are 1/4" throughout. Take a piece of fabric from each pile and pair up ALL your fabrics before you sew. Take one pair of fabrics and fold each piece in half. Match up the notches. Pin at the top and the bottom of the block.