French Braid Quilt Top
05-27-2012, 12:56 PM
#12
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Grand Junction, Colorado
Posts: 2,247
My first quilt was Eleanor Burns Quilt in a Day Log Cabin. It went together quickly with no problems. Her directions are easy. You can do a crib or twin size top in a day. A larger one would take longer and she has layout ideas in the book. When you get to the quilting of the quilt you can do a very simple straight stitching design.
05-27-2012, 01:08 PM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Lapeer, Michigan
Posts: 739
When ever I have to cut bias edges such as trimming the french braid, I iron a 1" wide piece of interfacing down the back side to stableize the bias before trimming, then it is no problem attaching the sashing.
You can also use your fusable stableizer if you do machine embroidery.
This can stay in the seam, doesnt add much bulk.
You can also use your fusable stableizer if you do machine embroidery.
This can stay in the seam, doesnt add much bulk.
05-27-2012, 02:19 PM
#14
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: NE Missouri
Posts: 6,418
I just finished my first pieced top and there were bunches of bias tips. What I found that was helpful to me, (lots and lots of starch for the smaller strips of fabric) was to use freezer paper on the very wide bias pieces so that they were stabilized when I cut them and after joining the next strip, which was on LOF and a straight grain, it stayed put and firm. I ripped it off after the second seam. I found the key was the size of the bias length, i.e., starch or freezer paper. You can do it. I appreciated the table runner PDF and I have a group of fabric for it. So Thanks.
05-27-2012, 02:36 PM
#15
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Garland, Texas
Posts: 1,388
I love the French Braid and the Friendship Braid as well; I'm too scared to try them just yet. I admire your courage and think the tutorials provided by the others will be of great benefit. Good luck! You can do it, remember to have fun making it. There are no "mistakes" just happy and unique accidents!
05-27-2012, 02:49 PM
#16
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: NE Wisconsin
Posts: 1,351
When ever I have to cut bias edges such as trimming the french braid, I iron a 1" wide piece of interfacing down the back side to stableize the bias before trimming, then it is no problem attaching the sashing.
You can also use your fusable stableizer if you do machine embroidery.
This can stay in the seam, doesnt add much bulk.
You can also use your fusable stableizer if you do machine embroidery.
This can stay in the seam, doesnt add much bulk.
Jean-- Thanks for this hint. I had never heard it before, but it makes so much sense! I'm currently working on a black/white/hot pink French braid quilt for my DGD. I will be using your method when I get to that point!
05-27-2012, 04:28 PM
#17
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: howell, Mi
Posts: 2,345
I took a class, and, of course, didn't finish my quilt. The one thing the teacher stressed was do NOT hang your quilt until it is completely finished. It will stretch and then the sashing won't fit. I agree, it is a beautiful quilt, and I will eventually finish mine. This summer I hope.
Sue
Sue
05-27-2012, 05:14 PM
#18
Banned
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Enid, OK
Posts: 8,273
one thing I did notice while watching the video from MOstar was WHy would you use a whole braid piece at the beginning when you end up cutting it off? why not use part of the left over strip that she shows being tossed aside?
05-27-2012, 05:18 PM
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Stanley NC
Posts: 981
Piecing each braid is easy, but when it comes to sewing the strips to the sashing it can be challenging working with bias edges the entire length of the quilt. My daughter, who is a pretty experienced seamstress, had some trouble with this, but in the end we got it all worked out just perfectly. If you are comfortable working with LOTS of bias edges, go for it. If not, my advice would be to try something else first.
05-27-2012, 08:45 PM
#20
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: London, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,326
The Friendship braid quilt is an easy one to do with the quilt as you go technique and that eliminates the whole issue of the bias edges. Once the strips are finished, you connect them with a joining strip between them.
Use the tutorial that shows you how to foundation piece the friendship braid, but instead of using a foundation fabric, layer your backing and batting and stitch onto that. You'll end up with each braid already quilted when you're done and
then all you do is connect them, add a border and bind it.
Use the tutorial that shows you how to foundation piece the friendship braid, but instead of using a foundation fabric, layer your backing and batting and stitch onto that. You'll end up with each braid already quilted when you're done and
then all you do is connect them, add a border and bind it.
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