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Birthing a Quilt
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?
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Good question, I am waiting with you for the answer.
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I have done the birthing method and then quilted straight lines after - you just have to make sure it it laying flat/smooth before you start quilting , just like you would if you were doing regular quilting
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I like the birthing method except when it doesn't lay flat when turned. Realized that I can't do it with a flannel/poly mix!! He He! Way too stretchy. Have a couple of WIPs that I need to take apart and do something else with.
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I have never been able to get a birthed quilt to lay as perfectly flat as a regular binding quilt. Maybe others are more talented than me. When I did this method, I carefully smoothed the layers after turning and still had some slack for some reason and believe me I cut and layered carefully. I finally pinned it as best as I could and machine quilted SITD from the center out in all directions stopping about 2 inches all around the edge. This left the edge puffy and it wasn't too noticeable that it wasn't perfect. Maybe others can give you better ideas if they have had more success.
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OK..back to basics!! What is a birthed quilt?? After 9 kids not sure if I want to try one tho!
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As careful as I could be was unable to lay my birthed quilt flat had to tie it.
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A birthed quilt is one that you layer with right sides together, sew around all 4 sides - leaving a gap to turn through, then turn it right side out and finish the gap you used to turn it.
I also quilted these from the center out. My quilts done this way are a bit puffier, but ... for my stage at the time ... they worked. I did them because I was scared of finishing them any other way. Now ... at a later stage ... I think they are more trouble - and harder to get right - than the other way! |
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. |
I can't get them to lay flat either I did a quick one with a panel for a birthday, turned out pretty good but it was small I have never tried that on a quilt bigger then a baby size. Good luck and I would love to see it finished. What size is it? Look at a tutorial too I have seen one from E Burns but then she makes everything look easy lol I would love to see some of her OOPS quilts just to know it happens to everyone!!
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