My First Quilt - Fabric, Patterns, and Tools!
05-14-2018, 05:33 PM
#12
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 27
Here is the fabric that I have for "scrap" and the baby quilt I want to make. My husband is a pilot, and it is so hard to find anything aviation related (that isnt overpriced) and I saw this in the clearance bin at walmart when I was grocery shopping and just bought the whole bundle lol!
I am originally from GA, so I am a little southern lol
!
I am originally from GA, so I am a little southern lol
!
05-14-2018, 05:50 PM
#14
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Pacific NW
Posts: 4,394
Welcome! I'm wishing you much luck and joy with your quilting. You have some good advice here. Your progress may go much more slowly than you anticipate, so be prepared for that. You are getting an early start, though!
05-14-2018, 06:12 PM
#16
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Southwest Idaho
Posts: 6,000
Sound decision to make baby quilt first. Buying fabric is addicting...so beware. Buying that bolt of fabric will likely give you plenty of fabric to make things for an aviation nursery; however, when buying "bolts" think about future projects. When I buy "bolts", I always consider its use for the backing of future quilts or donation quilts, too. Many of us love hoarding fabric (lol) and still, some of us buy only what is called for in a pattern. Whichever you are, be prepared to give up space in your home. Lots of space.....lol!
05-14-2018, 06:14 PM
#17
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,659
Hi, Welcome to the board!
I am one of the "wash before cutting" people. I have had enough unpleasant surprises with bleeding and/or shrinking to make it worth the effort to me. I also prefer a flatter look.
Washing the fabric and batting (if washable before being quilted) is as important to me as using a seatbelt while riding in a car.
Now I might sound like Patty Party Pooper - but I have made enough "what was I thinkings?" to be aware of some things that you might not have though of -
If you are planning to use clamshells or hexagons, I strongly recommend that you make a practice piece - like a placemat - before you cut up all your fabric.
Do you have any small all-over prints or solids to play/practice with? They read as "color" from a distance and do not require fussy cutting.
The turquoise fabric is pretty - I made a a couple of totes from scraps from that fabric and it's coordinates - but to me it requires fussy cutting and/or awareness of the pattern. I think it is "tricky" to cut randomly.
I love the airplane fabric - but I would try to keep it intact and use it as a backing - and then use the airplane side as the top!
As far as sewing machines - for piecing all one needs is a machine that does a decent straight stitch and feeds the fabric evenly and straight.
I am one of the "wash before cutting" people. I have had enough unpleasant surprises with bleeding and/or shrinking to make it worth the effort to me. I also prefer a flatter look.
Washing the fabric and batting (if washable before being quilted) is as important to me as using a seatbelt while riding in a car.
Now I might sound like Patty Party Pooper - but I have made enough "what was I thinkings?" to be aware of some things that you might not have though of -
If you are planning to use clamshells or hexagons, I strongly recommend that you make a practice piece - like a placemat - before you cut up all your fabric.
Do you have any small all-over prints or solids to play/practice with? They read as "color" from a distance and do not require fussy cutting.
The turquoise fabric is pretty - I made a a couple of totes from scraps from that fabric and it's coordinates - but to me it requires fussy cutting and/or awareness of the pattern. I think it is "tricky" to cut randomly.
I love the airplane fabric - but I would try to keep it intact and use it as a backing - and then use the airplane side as the top!
As far as sewing machines - for piecing all one needs is a machine that does a decent straight stitch and feeds the fabric evenly and straight.
05-14-2018, 06:15 PM
#18
Super Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Sunny Florida
Posts: 4,431
Hi and Welcome!
I don't pre-wash fabrics.
You might try a sample block first before cutting all of your fabrics. That way you can see the color placement in the block. It can help you determine if there are any issues in the pattern directions too. There is time and fabric to make adjustments.
For a first quilt look at the double slice layer cake. You don't need a layer cake though since you can cut your fabrics to size. The piecing is straight seam piecing. Plus there are only a few intersections to match.
Master the 1/4 inch seam and the cutting processes first. Then proceed to "Y" seams and curves.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTOGt4cRdJE
Good luck!
I don't pre-wash fabrics.
You might try a sample block first before cutting all of your fabrics. That way you can see the color placement in the block. It can help you determine if there are any issues in the pattern directions too. There is time and fabric to make adjustments.
For a first quilt look at the double slice layer cake. You don't need a layer cake though since you can cut your fabrics to size. The piecing is straight seam piecing. Plus there are only a few intersections to match.
Master the 1/4 inch seam and the cutting processes first. Then proceed to "Y" seams and curves.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTOGt4cRdJE
Good luck!
05-14-2018, 06:23 PM
#19
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 27
Yes, it will help my gauge how much time it will take for the larger ones. Plus, I love baby stuff lol, great excuse to look at baby things! I plain to have a crib blanket with the pattern as well, and then a quilt will be perfect to drape over the edge or have in another room in the house to keep baby warm! If I remember correctly, I have 7 yards, but I could be wrong.
Oh no, dont tell that to my husband lol! I already "hang on to things" longer then he thinks I should lol!
Oh no, dont tell that to my husband lol! I already "hang on to things" longer then he thinks I should lol!
Sound decision to make baby quilt first. Buying fabric is addicting...so beware. Buying that bolt of fabric will likely give you plenty of fabric to make things for an aviation nursery; however, when buying "bolts" think about future projects. When I buy "bolts", I always consider its use for the backing of future quilts or donation quilts, too. Many of us love hoarding fabric (lol) and still, some of us buy only what is called for in a pattern. Whichever you are, be prepared to give up space in your home. Lots of space.....lol!
05-14-2018, 06:27 PM
#20
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 27
Thank you so much for all the information! I have a LOT of the airplane fabric, and plan to do one quilt solid of just that fabric, and do just the stitching (no other fabric patches for the front) when I get good at the sandwiching and can do a pretty pattern.
I have some darker colors, so I am thinking I will want to wash the dark grey color at least since it is the most likely to bleed.
Thank you! I spent almost 2 hours going through all the fabrics the day I picked these out! It was so fun!
I have some darker colors, so I am thinking I will want to wash the dark grey color at least since it is the most likely to bleed.
Thank you! I spent almost 2 hours going through all the fabrics the day I picked these out! It was so fun!
Hi, Welcome to the board!
I am one of the "wash before cutting" people. I have had enough unpleasant surprises with bleeding and/or shrinking to make it worth the effort to me. I also prefer a flatter look.
Washing the fabric and batting (if washable before being quilted) is as important to me as using a seatbelt while riding in a car.
Now I might sound like Patty Party Pooper - but I have made enough "what was I thinkings?" to be aware of some things that you might not have though of -
If you are planning to use clamshells or hexagons, I strongly recommend that you make a practice piece - like a placemat - before you cut up all your fabric.
Do you have any small all-over prints or solids to play/practice with? They read as "color" from a distance and do not require fussy cutting.
The turquoise fabric is pretty - I made a a couple of totes from scraps from that fabric and it's coordinates - but to me it requires fussy cutting and/or awareness of the pattern. I think it is "tricky" to cut randomly.
I love the airplane fabric - but I would try to keep it intact and use it as a backing - and then use the airplane side as the top!
As far as sewing machines - for piecing all one needs is a machine that does a decent straight stitch and feeds the fabric evenly and straight.
I am one of the "wash before cutting" people. I have had enough unpleasant surprises with bleeding and/or shrinking to make it worth the effort to me. I also prefer a flatter look.
Washing the fabric and batting (if washable before being quilted) is as important to me as using a seatbelt while riding in a car.
Now I might sound like Patty Party Pooper - but I have made enough "what was I thinkings?" to be aware of some things that you might not have though of -
If you are planning to use clamshells or hexagons, I strongly recommend that you make a practice piece - like a placemat - before you cut up all your fabric.
Do you have any small all-over prints or solids to play/practice with? They read as "color" from a distance and do not require fussy cutting.
The turquoise fabric is pretty - I made a a couple of totes from scraps from that fabric and it's coordinates - but to me it requires fussy cutting and/or awareness of the pattern. I think it is "tricky" to cut randomly.
I love the airplane fabric - but I would try to keep it intact and use it as a backing - and then use the airplane side as the top!
As far as sewing machines - for piecing all one needs is a machine that does a decent straight stitch and feeds the fabric evenly and straight.
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