Hello
02-17-2020, 03:17 AM
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 3
Hello
Hi! I am a 33 y/o beginner quilter. I have an older machine gifted to me by a former neighbor but it serves me well. I honestly don't know enough to need anything besides a straight stitch at the moment anyway, lol. I joined this group because I am looking for seasoned advice and inspiration. I have a pattern I want to do (Night Stars by Quilty Love) and I thought it would be cool to use so texture on the stars. I originally thought of velvet or velveteen but I want something that can be washed/used. I am open to anything; corduroy, Terry cloth, maybe even minky. What do you think would work best?
P.S. I don't have a fabric store nearby so I do all my purchasing online.
P.S. I don't have a fabric store nearby so I do all my purchasing online.
Last edited by QuiltnNan; 02-17-2020 at 04:54 AM. Reason: PM
02-17-2020, 04:19 AM
#2
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Greater Peoria, IL -- just moved!
Posts: 6,065
Welcome aboard K8e. Many of us on the boards are fans of sturdy metal vintage machine and do believe that a good strong straight stitch is all we need. Might not be all we want, but certainly all we need! I know sometimes watching the shows I start to feel like it's more about "look what my machine can do" as opposed to quilting, but we can do most of the same things.
So, the traditional advice is to use all the same type of fabric throughout your quilt, 100% cotton so strongly preferred to the extent that it is canon. You can use quilting to make/define texture.
But people overlook today how when the miracle shine and color and feel of poly blends came out their virtues were extolled. I've mixed or used non-traditional fabrics in a variety of ways in a number of quilts over the year. If you are going to piece in texture I'd look at baby wale corduroy and that there is such a thing as washable velvet. Keep in mind though that fuzzy fabrics have nap, that is they change colors depending on what is up or down. When I made a baby wale corduroy quilt for my brother decades ago, I decided that the nap mattered. It was a simple trip around the world made up of 3 print fabrics and 3 solids. I used a safety pin in each block to orient it as Up or Down (the ring of the pin was up, the head was down). You might want to consider a 1/2" seam if using a thicker than usual quilting fabric. Your goal would be to keep that center square as flat as possible so although I almost always press open, in this case I would press to the side.
The other thing to consider is quilting flannel. It would be easy to work with but not give you as much texture as you want.
I'd avoid Minky or anything that stretches at all. Absolutely hate working with stretchy fabric. If you just fall in love with something and feel you have to try it out, well go ahead but I would advise drawing my cutting grid on the fabric, stay-stitching within the seam allowance of the squares/triangles and then cutting apart with pinking shears and be prepared for it to roll up like a pill bug!
Please be very certain to prewash all the fabrics you use.
edit: If you use different fabrics you may get some unexpected drying issues. Most likely that the rest of the quilt will be bone dry but the corduroy will be damp, or if you use a washable poly velvet that it is bone dry when the rest of the quilt is dry. One of the reasons for using all the same type of fabric...
So, the traditional advice is to use all the same type of fabric throughout your quilt, 100% cotton so strongly preferred to the extent that it is canon. You can use quilting to make/define texture.
But people overlook today how when the miracle shine and color and feel of poly blends came out their virtues were extolled. I've mixed or used non-traditional fabrics in a variety of ways in a number of quilts over the year. If you are going to piece in texture I'd look at baby wale corduroy and that there is such a thing as washable velvet. Keep in mind though that fuzzy fabrics have nap, that is they change colors depending on what is up or down. When I made a baby wale corduroy quilt for my brother decades ago, I decided that the nap mattered. It was a simple trip around the world made up of 3 print fabrics and 3 solids. I used a safety pin in each block to orient it as Up or Down (the ring of the pin was up, the head was down). You might want to consider a 1/2" seam if using a thicker than usual quilting fabric. Your goal would be to keep that center square as flat as possible so although I almost always press open, in this case I would press to the side.
The other thing to consider is quilting flannel. It would be easy to work with but not give you as much texture as you want.
I'd avoid Minky or anything that stretches at all. Absolutely hate working with stretchy fabric. If you just fall in love with something and feel you have to try it out, well go ahead but I would advise drawing my cutting grid on the fabric, stay-stitching within the seam allowance of the squares/triangles and then cutting apart with pinking shears and be prepared for it to roll up like a pill bug!
Please be very certain to prewash all the fabrics you use.
edit: If you use different fabrics you may get some unexpected drying issues. Most likely that the rest of the quilt will be bone dry but the corduroy will be damp, or if you use a washable poly velvet that it is bone dry when the rest of the quilt is dry. One of the reasons for using all the same type of fabric...
Last edited by Iceblossom; 02-17-2020 at 04:23 AM.
02-17-2020, 05:09 AM
#5
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Waterford Michigan
Posts: 7,241
Welcome to the QB from SE Michigan! There are so many helpful people here that can and will help you along the way. New quilter are always welcome and as you learn more and more you will find that you can't get enough of quilting. I am unfamiliar with the pattern you mention. I am sure someone here will be able to help you out with your questions about it however. There are many of us that love our vintage machines and love that they are workhorses. I am hopeful that you will get many more years of usage from the machine your friend and neighbor just gave you. All you need is that straight stitch to get you going and learn to make a 1/4" seam allowance. That is a simple as marking with a piece of masking tape 1/4" from the down position of your needle. There is much to learn starting with the basics and the right tools will get you going for years to come. Again welcome to the QB!
02-17-2020, 05:54 AM
#7
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Tn
Posts: 8,712
Welcome. If you are new to sewing in general I would suggest trying your different fabrics in a small piece such as a table runner. This way you can get a feel as to how it will handle. If you are looking for movement just find a nice textured look or print that you like. There are many blenders out there that will give nice movement in a quilt so it doesn’t look flat. Enjoy your new hobby whichever way you choose and post pics
02-17-2020, 06:00 AM
#8
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 41,461
Welcome from Ontario, Canada. Since the pattern looks to have many small pieces, regular quilting cotton would be best. You would end up with too much bulk in the seams for a nice looking result in my opinion.
02-17-2020, 08:51 AM
#10
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Greater Peoria, IL -- just moved!
Posts: 6,065
Baby wale might be a regional name (or just what we called it in the 1980s). It's just the smallest lightest corduroy. "Wales" are the ridges, so typical corduroy has about 14 wales per inch.
You want a higher number if they give it, probably above 18. Fine and Pin would both be suitable.
From my internet searches I kept up ending up at Fields Fabric in Michigan when I was looking for particular things...
Fieldsfabric.com
It's funny because it's where the hubby is from!
You want a higher number if they give it, probably above 18. Fine and Pin would both be suitable.
From my internet searches I kept up ending up at Fields Fabric in Michigan when I was looking for particular things...
Fieldsfabric.com
It's funny because it's where the hubby is from!
