Birthing a Quilt
04-09-2012, 12:24 AM
#11
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 365
I use the birthing method on some quilts and I quilt them and they don't lay flat but neither do the ones that I bind! I quilt for the fun of it not for perfection. I give my quilts to those who don't look for the flaws and there are plenty!
04-09-2012, 04:02 AM
#12
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Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: North Pole
Posts: 1,643
Thanks for the info!! I may try that with a baby quilt ...I learn something new every day!!
Originally Posted by QM
Pat, a birthed (or envelope, or pillowcase) style quiltis one where you make a sandwich of batting, backing then top, with the last 2 right sides together. You sew most of the way around the outside, turn it right side out, then sew up the part of the edge you left open.
Notes: It is important to have a fairly stable batting (I use thermore, which is VERY stable). The batting and backing should also be well pressed with starch or sizing, which also stabilizes the whole thing. After I turn it right side out , and have sewn the opening, DH and I 'play tug of war'. We pull the whole thing on each diagonal and pull it firmly lengthwise. This seems to help get the 3 layers to grab each other. I then pin baste quilte well before quilting. If I am going to do complex FMQ, I first do a basting stitch along the center in each direction for additional stability. Otherwise, I quilt centerlines and work out from there. I have wrists that give me trouble if I tie, so I never do.
Notes: It is important to have a fairly stable batting (I use thermore, which is VERY stable). The batting and backing should also be well pressed with starch or sizing, which also stabilizes the whole thing. After I turn it right side out , and have sewn the opening, DH and I 'play tug of war'. We pull the whole thing on each diagonal and pull it firmly lengthwise. This seems to help get the 3 layers to grab each other. I then pin baste quilte well before quilting. If I am going to do complex FMQ, I first do a basting stitch along the center in each direction for additional stability. Otherwise, I quilt centerlines and work out from there. I have wrists that give me trouble if I tie, so I never do.
04-09-2012, 04:21 AM
#14
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: CT New Haven County
Posts: 1,498
I birth a lot of my quilts - have done as large as 72 x 72. They stay flat (I do starch the back and I use Warm and Natural or Warm and White batting and I do press them) and i have not ever had trouble FMQing even with some fairly complex patterns. I have the Baby Lok Quilter's Pro and I just drop the feeddogs and go.
04-09-2012, 04:39 AM
#15
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Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: chicago, IL
Posts: 9,589
I wouldn't recommend it for larger than a twin size...I use this method on lap quilts and baby quilts all the time.
I have only had one real stinker that wouldn't lay flat at the edges...so I put binding on it to cover the issues.
I have only had one real stinker that wouldn't lay flat at the edges...so I put binding on it to cover the issues.
04-09-2012, 12:53 PM
#17
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 2,957
I have "given birth" to many quilts. After I have the sandwich made I pin it flat as you would when getting ready to machine quilt a top. I then sew around the edges leaving space to birth the quilt. Remove pins and turn right sides out. Stitch opening. Lay it flat again and pin and then I go ahead and machine quilt it and have had no problem with bunching. Hope this helps.
04-09-2012, 06:40 PM
#18
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Location: Stagecoach, NV
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Originally Posted by Sweeterthanwine
When you birth a quilt, then sew around the edge of the quilt, is it possible to still quilt it or is it better to tie it? If you quilt it (hand or machine) wouldn't the fabric "bunch" up and not lay flat?
04-09-2012, 08:46 PM
#19
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: S. W. Indiana
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Originally Posted by Sweeterthanwine
When you birth a quilt, then sew around the edge of the quilt, is it possible to still quilt it or is it better to tie it? If you quilt it (hand or machine) wouldn't the fabric "bunch" up and not lay flat?
04-09-2012, 08:50 PM
#20
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: S. W. Indiana
Posts: 7,484
Originally Posted by teddysmom
I'm a newbie. What is "birthing a quilt?
A fancy way of saying you've turned the right sides out--------as in inside out-----------when you sandwich a quilt with right sides together and sew around the edges except for a small opening to turn the quilt.
I've birthed three kids and "birthing" a quilt just rubs me wrong.. Chalk it up to me being old and grumpy.
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