Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums > Main
Help!!!!  Making my first braid quilt >

Help!!!! Making my first braid quilt

Help!!!! Making my first braid quilt

Old 08-25-2012, 11:04 AM
  #1  
Super Member
Thread Starter
 
teacherbailey's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Tucker, GA
Posts: 2,042
Default Help!!!! Making my first braid quilt

Not really working from a pattern; just like the way they look and found that 2 1/2" x 7" seemed to be like a good size. So here are my questions: First, what are the advantages or disadvantages to using fabric strips between lines of braid, or is it just a question of personal choice? Also, the BIG question, how in the world do you trim the long strips of braid neatly, evenly and with no stress????? Mine are about 6' long, since, well, I am about 6' long and making a quilt that my feet won't come out of during the night.

All help, advice, support and everything else is greatly appreciated!

Dotty
teacherbailey is offline  
Old 08-25-2012, 03:31 PM
  #2  
Super Member
 
katier825's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: FL
Posts: 7,084
Default

Using separator strips eliminates the need to match your braid seams. I happen to like the look of them. Although I have seen some that I liked without as well. Regardless of using them or not, it's a good idea to starch your fabric, then sew BEFORE trimming the points off. What I did for the long lines was to first draw them with chalk, then I lined up my separator strips. I creased both the braid panels and separator strips in 1/4s and pinned those. Then I pinned a lot between. It might help to use the walking foot and sew with the braid on the bottom. Once sewn, just take your time with a ruler and rotary cutter to cut the points off. Stretch out on a long table if you can, it's easier.

Good luck!
katier825 is offline  
Old 08-25-2012, 03:35 PM
  #3  
Power Poster
 
nativetexan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: home again, after 27 yrs!
Posts: 19,388
Default

I went to a show with Eleanor Burns sister, Pat, and bought the braid pattern. it came with a small ruler to cut the braid pieces from jelly rolls. it's already cut at an angle. 60 degree I believe. It seems easy enough but you do have to watch that the fabric doesn't stretch. spray starch it and then baste stitch the edges before trimming them off. I've heard that helps. i haven't made one yet.
nativetexan is offline  
Old 08-25-2012, 05:05 PM
  #4  
Super Member
 
Dolphyngyrl's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Southern California
Posts: 6,254
Default

Depends on your ruler if you do half hexagons there is not much trimming
Dolphyngyrl is offline  
Old 08-25-2012, 05:33 PM
  #5  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Slidell, Louisiana
Posts: 6,951
Default

I did one, and I marked it first, then cut.
Latrinka is offline  
Old 08-25-2012, 06:20 PM
  #6  
Super Member
 
Gail B's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Smoky Lake, Alberta, Canada - Coolidge, AZ
Posts: 1,638
Default

I used my 6 1/2" x 24" ruler to cut the braids after starching & pressing the braids. Just laid the ruler in the middle of the braid & cut on both sides of the ruler. Worked great for me.
Gail B is offline  
Old 08-25-2012, 06:44 PM
  #7  
Senior Member
 
par4theday's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: in Idaho
Posts: 545
Default

I would use my 6 1/2" X 24" ruler. I would find the center of the braid and line it up from the top to bottom of ruler half the width that you want it, and trim, and then turn the braid over and find the middle point again and trim the other side the same way. My pattern does not have sashing strips, but I would guess they will nest together and with the use of a stylus, ease them together, so each seam meets evenly.
par4theday is offline  
Old 08-25-2012, 07:08 PM
  #8  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Cadillac, MI
Posts: 6,487
Default

Originally Posted by Gail B View Post
I used my 6 1/2" x 24" ruler to cut the braids after starching & pressing the braids. Just laid the ruler in the middle of the braid & cut on both sides of the ruler. Worked great for me.
Same here, but my strips weren't as long as yours - I think 5 1/2" by 2 1/2".

I prefer to do it this way rather than work with bias ended strips. By sewing and cutting, they are only bias for a few minutes. A little waste, but worth it, IMO.

I think having a non bias strip between the braids helps stabilize the quilt and I really like the look of the contrast.

Last edited by irishrose; 08-25-2012 at 07:11 PM.
irishrose is offline  
Old 08-26-2012, 03:19 AM
  #9  
Super Member
Thread Starter
 
teacherbailey's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Tucker, GA
Posts: 2,042
Default

Thank you all for your advice!!!! I need to get some starch, it looks like. Next time, I may completely cut the pieces first so I don't have to trim all those edges at the end.....but since all my scraps go to the art teacher at my school, I knew they'd have a good home!
teacherbailey is offline  
Old 08-26-2012, 03:20 AM
  #10  
Super Member
Thread Starter
 
teacherbailey's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Tucker, GA
Posts: 2,042
Default

Originally Posted by Dolphyngyrl View Post
Depends on your ruler if you do half hexagons there is not much trimming
Never heard of this way of making a braid; something to look up! Thanks!
teacherbailey is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Quilter 65
Pictures
20
12-19-2012 08:55 PM
Julie in NM
Pictures
36
03-24-2012 09:26 AM
Mariah
Main
4
12-27-2010 06:58 PM
craftybear
Links and Resources
3
10-18-2010 04:55 PM
JanieW
Main
11
09-03-2010 11:21 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


FREE Quilting Newsletter