In this case, we will be sewing together 9 small blocks to make one large square. The quilt that hasn't been through the machine yet will rest on your lap. 2 months ago. – Thread Make sure that you're keeping the bias tape in line... sometimes it likes to wander. ), one pattern and one solid that matches one of the colors in the pattern, two distinct pattern (dots and stripes, two dots of different colors, florals and checks, etc. Quilting fabric is 100% cotton. – Safety Pins (optional) Sewing the layers of the top, batting and backing is called … I am using a 2 inch bias tape maker, so I will be cutting my sheet into 3 3/4 inch strips, making sure to square off the ends of the strips. It's also important to note that you can easily complete one of these in a couple weeks - I started this one on March 7th, and finished it on April 3rd - but that included lots of documentation and only working in good sunlight. Or you can stray away from patterned blocks altogether and create 8-bit characters, landscapes, and words. As long as your pins are in the middle of squares, you'll be fine. on Step 11, People keep telling me to not open up the seams, instead nest the seams, this is confusing to me. Any tips on what the best process would be?Thank you, 1 year ago … Once it's smoothed out it's time to pin it! :), There are a two ways to do this - you can buy bias tape in store or you can use the excess from the sheet. Hooray! Wool is very heavy and absorbs moisture. However we have completed larger quilting lines for large projects, such as tote bags and garments. You don't have to backstitch for this, either, so don't worry about that. The more pins you have, the smoother it'll stay while sewing. So detach your cat from the ironing board and get going. Now your crease line is in the right place to keep sewing! If you are struggling to mark the quilting lines onto your fabric, check out our corresponding YouTube tutorial: How To: Quilt Fabric. Take two strips and lay them on your work surface as shown in the first picture and pin. Fabric Depot has quilting fabric from top manufacturers, new collections, novelty and geometric prints, solids, batik fabric and more. Now you're finished! Feed the fabric into the bias tape maker wrong side up (so that you can see the bottom of the seams) and push it in until you can see the fabric through the slot in the middle. Northern Territory The spool (the thread at the top of your machine) will be clear nylon, and the thread loaded into the bobbin will be white cotton. 3. What materials do you need? Both of these techniques will aid to prevent shifting of the fabric layers. Now we sew the strips together! :), This is simple enough - buy a flat sheet of the same size! Photo 7 shows how to reign in where the two ends of the bias tape meet - just keep messing with it until the edges meet up and it all looks nice, and then pin! Tracing a design on the fabric with tailor’s chalk can make stitching the quilt design easier. :D. Oh! Share it with us! and the backing fabric had a field day, shifted something awful. Your ruler may have a 45 degree marking that you can work from, alternatively if you are working with a ruler similar to ours, simply position the diagonal lines of the inch (centimetre) markings onto the top edge of the fabric, make sure the diagonal line of the inch (centimetre) is straight along the fabric. I played around with quilting designs and just got a feel for the movement I needed to make to accomplish a decent meander. And it might! on Step 33, Wow Best instructions read to date. Once you're satisfied, flip it back over and pin like a madperson. The easiest way to do this is to cut a strip of fabric four inches long and then cut that into four inch squares. You'll sew the squares into three rows, and then sew the rows together. Do this for every corner, and keep pinning every six inches or so until you come around to your starting point. Just looking around a quilt shop can be a daunting challenge. If included in a quilt that is used and washed, that stiffness does go away. Continue sewing your strips together until you've got enough to go all the way around your quilt + and additional foot or so. The color is also up to you - I almost always use white backing because it's traditional, but if you want the backing to match the quilt, go for it! :). Also make sure your feet are clean - you're going to be walking and crawling all over the quilt. Cut out a piece of fabric ready. If you are working with wadding (batting), or an alternative backing fabric, cut the fabric or wadding (batting) larger than the main fabric. You don't want any of the fabric hanging off the table - it causes serious pulling and will make you sew very crookedly and puts extra pressure in your machine. You should feel great about this great contribution to crafters everywhere. I always sew straight down the first seam to begin with, and then you can sew the very edge of the quilt together if you like. You will need to change out the thread for quilting. I also think it's a skill that is useful beyond words... quilts are beautiful and functional and I consider them to be the greatest gift in the world. I haven't had any issues with my binding wearing out because of this. Make sure that the final layout is 6 blocks wide and 8 blocks long. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------. The stitching will show a lot more if you use plain, light colored fabrics than if you use printed fabric, but both styles can be beautiful. The podcast and all of the episodes have... Are you looking to invest in a new sewing machine? To properly sew this, get the top corner secured in your machine, and pile the rest of the column into your lap. Australia, AU: +61 (0)8 7918 9794 You could get a singer heavy duty which is about 130$ but it doesn’t have the best stitch selection. (Really, who wouldn't want a quilt?) Shrinkage is agonizing after all that work! Enjoy! Alternatively use safety pins to hold the layers together, safety pins work well on larger areas of quilting to stop shifting of the layers. I wish I read this before I got started. Trim off the excess wadding (batting), or backing fabric. I attempted to quilt half of the quilt using my regular presser foot (just so I could say, "Hey, it's okay, use a regular foot!") I am excited to watch/read your other video/instructions. I feel so confident in what I have to do now to make one, I'm so excited. :D Also, I don't pin the squares together as I sew - feel free to do it at first, but trust me, it'll only slow you down! It's my opinion that a patchwork quilt should LOOK like it was made at home. See the next step to learn about finger-pressing.). Find the best fabric for quilting, sewing, and crafting from top manufacturers like Benartex, Moda, Riley Blake, Maywood Studio, Andover, and Henry Glass. I wear Hawaiian print shirts as a general rule and I have closets full of old shirts that frayed around the collars and are unusable as office shirts. Just as long as there aren't too many similar colors touching you're good to go! Some folks like to nest the seams and say it leads to greater durability. I will be trying this exact method as I have never done this before ! Watch our corresponding YouTube tutorial for more details: How To: Quilt Fabric. Remember that you are using a 1/4 INCH SEAM ALLOWANCE. For most larger quilts you will need to do this, but for smaller ones this may be able to be avoided. Start sewing the lines in the opposite direction. You'll be sewing down the long side first. Cotton is my personal favorite - it lays flatter, sews easier and is really breathable. A walking foot looks a bit like something out of Star Wars, but it does wonders for keeping your fabrics in line. Once it's pressed, cut off the bits hanging out! This quilt uses bright fabric for the “stripes,” combined with muted fabrics that … :D. Like most skills, quilting comes with its own lingo. :). It can be tricky to choose a new sewing machine, so I visited a local dealer, Steve at Bredons, Somerset, UK (https://www.bredons.co.uk/). If you're interested in learning how to add a border to your quilt blocks, check out this instructable: https://www.instructables.com/id/how-to-add-a-border-to-a-quilt-block/. Once the blocks are sewn, just stack em and keep sewing until you have 48! (Also known as stitching in the ditch!). Do the other two this way. Great tutorial!! I am wondering what type of machine you use. Also not very powerful, so it sews slow with the weight of the quilt on it. Stitch all of the lines in the SAME direction. I just wanted to clear that up because I had a question in the comments about it. I highly recommend it! Remember the crazy fold we made? I read your quilt instructions in preparation for the next steps, but I'm now concerned the squares are too big? Creating the top of a quilt is called piecing or patchwork. If you feel any tugging, stop sewing and adjust the fabric. :)In this instructable I'm going to take you through creating a basic queen size 9-patch patchwork quilt. 90 squares (since your fabric will be 36x40 inches), I figure you guys should be able to figure the rest out based on those - but if you need any additional help, don't be afraid to ask! Use a regular foot for this! As long as you can get a minimum of four squares out of any piece of fabric, you can use it in a block! Stealing it, haha! Position the fabric onto the wadding (batting) or backing fabric. Draw the next quilting line the chosen distance from the first line, onto the fabric. Starting in the top row, take the first two squares and sew them right sides together. Hold the finished bias tape down and drag the bias tape maker in the opposite direction and iron the new bias tape that forms. Make sure everything is centered and smooth it out. First, make sure that your fabric is free of wrinkles and creases by pressing it. The key to pretty blocks is getting all the seams sewn flat. What should I do?Thanks,Debbie, Best Answer Check the instructions on your product, spray the adhesive onto the WRONG side of the fabric. I have been reading book after book on quilting and have not even started as it seems so daunting. Continue sewing and rolling until you finish all the seams. About: I work at instructables by day, and turn into a stitch witch by night. Find a empty piece of floor and lay the blocks out. info@madetosew.com, Reviews Use the tips in the following list when choosing fabrics for your latest quilt or for your stash of materials for future quilts: Start by drawing quilting lines onto the RIGHT side of the fabric (you wish to quilt). Placement is key here! This is the only time I'll pin while sewing the quilt top. Learn how to quilt fabric ready for use in a variety of different applications such as products and garments. Darwin Many batiks have a tendency to bleed, or lose color, more than traditional quilting fabrics. What you need to do is unfold one edge of the bias tape so that you can see the raw edges. Thank you so much! When you get to the corners, leave the needle in the fabric, raise the presser foot, and swing the fabric around so you can keep on truckin'. Trim threads regularly as they are easily caught up in rows of stitching. Squares: 432 (3.5 in square sewn size). Once you have sewn all of the lines in one direction. Working with wadding (batting) or a backing fabric? :). I'll teach you about the tools needed for quilting, how to cut squares, choosing fabrics, batting, making a quilt sandwich, how to choose and attach backing, and assembling the quilt top among other things. What do you plan to quilt? Includes the awesome fold for getting beautiful, easy corners. Keep in mind that every block has 4 of one color and 5 of another. We would recommend using a walking foot on your sewing machine, this will help to move the layers of fabric through the sewing machine, preventing unnecessary shifting and creating an even, beautiful stitch. UK: +44 (0)208 1919 272 Parap So happy to hear it's been helpful :D. Wow! Therefore it is always best practise to quilt an area of fabric large enough for your pattern, plus a bit extra for shrinkage. Picture 10 shows what the finished seam looks like - nice and clean! 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