Can you really make a quilt in a day?
 

I just figured up all the time I spent cutting, sewing, quilting and finishing my first lap quilt. I counted up 35 hours, give or take a couple of hours. I know I'm a quilting newbie, but I've been sewing for a long time, so I know my way around the sewing room. I started wondering, is it really possible to make a quilt in a day? Is Eleanor Burns really saying you can make a quilt in a day or is that just a figure of speech?

I think those that don't work probably could make a quilt in a day.

Elanor's first book was a log cabin block, and yes, you can make that one in a day, all day, from start to finish. Not all of her quilt patterns can be done that fast, but her methods are usually a lot faster than doing things the traditional way.

I have run across a couple of patterns that if everything is cut the day before you can sew the *top* in one day. But a top is not a quilt.

A jelly roll race quilt top can be made in under two hours using a pre cut jelly roll. It can be sandwiched and turned and tied quilted in about 2 hours so a completed quilt can be made in less then 5 hours. Some of my guild members can make the whole Jelly roll race quilt in less then two hours. Some make the quilt top in under 45 min.

video here: http://blog.heirloomcreations.net/?p=1897

Some days I think I work pretty fast and get a lot done. Other days I wonder what the heck I did all day. I don't work and I've yet to make a quilt "top" in a day. LOL

I did a small attic windows quilt start to finish in about 8 hours many years ago. Though mostly, I need at least 12 hours to totally finish a simple pattern, including binding. I admit I have a mid-arm which does help.

I'm like joyce888. I don't work and most of the time I don't get a lot done in a day. I've seen a jelly roll race online and it's really really fast! The lady who won made the top in 35 minutes! I never did a quilt in a day though, not even a jelly roll race quilt.

I think if I had a full day, I could do the Jelly Roll Race quilt in a day but not sure about anything else, especially if it required lots of cutting. I usually get about 2 hours total a day, if that. I did finish a quilt in about 5 days but there was not much cutting since I used a layer cake and the backing was wide enough I didn't have to piece.

My question is why would you want to? Why race to complete? IMHO quilting is a hobby to be savored and enjoyed. Quite honestly how nice is a quilt that was raced to completion? Seems if you are racing to finish you will be cutting corners and not piecing very precisely or checking your seams to ensure they will hold up. I just don't get it.
Yes I love to see the progression and yes I love the feeling of accomplishment I have when finishing up a quilt but I think that is because I choose peicing patterns that are complex and visually interesting. I want my quilts to hold up to hard use and I want them appealing enough that they WILL be used.

I carefully and thoughtfully select my quilting designs and motifs to compliment and enhance the piecing or carry on the theme of the quilt. I just don't understand the enticement of racing to complete a quilt just to get it done.

I have finished a top in one day, but I don't think I could make a top, quilt it and bind it in one day.

I doubt if I could get a top--even a small one--done in a day. I have this terrible habit of redesigning as I go--which usually increases the difficulty, and time of course.

LOL! I agree with Tartan!! :) I like to enjoy the process and try different techniques. I have a friend that prides herself on how fast she can make a quilt and she does complete a quilt in one day. She uses up fabric faster than anyone in our guild!! This is great for her style and enjoyment but it's not for everyone - her patterns are all large pieced rectangles and squares that are just rearranged to make very large blocks. Unfortunately, my list of more intricate patterns grows significantly after I've gone to a quilt show or taken a class and have had my creativity sparked!

I think 'Quilt in a Day' is a company name, figure of speech, just like 'Better Homes and Gardens'. LOL

http://www.maryquilts.com/quick-strippie/
I have done one quilt start to finish in a day. This pattern was one of my first quilts. (I did have a full time job then by the way.) My DS has been sleeping with this quilt every night for almost 3 years now. It is a simple pattern, but I made it with his school colors and mascot and he loves it. I did simple SID quilting and rolled the backing forward and machine stitched it down. Fast and satisfying for a beginner.

I think maybe the phrase was coined to encourage those that would like to try making a quilt but "don't have the time". Many of the techniques are timesaving and do show that you CAN make a quilt quickly. I can and have made quilt tops, esp. baby quilts in a day but i like the process of piecing and quilting and don't mind spending the time needed to make one.

Years before I started quilting my late DM made me a Trip Around the World queen size quilt. It ws a Quilt in a Day pattern. She did make the top in one day, but I will tell you it was a looooong day.

Usually I don't sew fast, but there are times when you need a quilt really fast and you do what you have to do.

I would probably need help and have everything cut and ready to go.

I can make a Jelly Roll Race quilt with two borders in 3 1/2 hours. Start to finish.

I'm quite sure I couldn't even go close, but nor would Iwant to.

For me quilting is a pastime. I do it for enjoyment and not for quantity. I don't really see the joy in racing.

A day is 24 hrs long. Yes, I probably could do it, but why would I want to, takes all the enjoyment out of it.

Since I hand piece AND hand quilt, it's not possible for me to make a quilt in a day!

When DGD is here she picks out a jelly roll she has to have and wants me to make her a quilt. A couple of hours and the jelly roll quilt is done. I know she has at least six of them and everyone is folded and on the foot of her bed. They aren't heirlooms by any means but she loves them. When she goes to sleep- overs, camp, lock ins, one of the quilts go with her. If one gets lost or misplaced it isn't a devastating loss. So that's why I make a quilt in a day. :o

I can and have on more than one occasion. If it takes me more than a week or so (with working full time) it starts to bore me. Just like the people that don't want to rush the process, I don't understand why you would want to drag it out for a long time.

When I was younger................I made Eleanor Burns Quilts In A Day to teach classes for Hancock fabrics. I could make them in a day. Had children at home and everthing.....................now no children at home and not married YET, but there are more interruptions, like chocolate, mochas, sometimes ice cream, and then time out for more chocolate...........

I guess I could if I stayed focused, didn't take breaks, didn't check email, watch tv, make a call, stare out the window, get a snack, etc. I am retired with plenty of free time, but not all that motivated to make a quilt in a day.

I wouldn't attempt it. I'm WAY too OCD. I'm one of the annoying people who like every little thing to line up and I don't like losing points. So, I'll just mosey through my quilts and enjoy the journey.

I have done a twin size in a day, cutting, sewing and ironing all day. Its all about how big of a quilt and how big are the pieces you are working with. I also machine sewed the binding.

i have made a quilt in one day, it had focus fabric squares, was sashed, stitched in the ditch and binding by machine. i was on a deadline for a donation quilt.

i cant do a full quilt in a day unless just a quick tie knot of two fabrics with batting sandwiched between. I once made a queen size Trip Around The World in two weeks. i cut, sewed and hand quilted it and worked full time besides.

Once in a while, i get my creative spurts and I can sew all day long. I have gotten a quilt done in a day, but I have a long arm and that helps alot. The last 4 day weekend I had, I got a queen size and a lap quilt done. Start to finish, both of them took 4 days. I usually don't work that quick...let me rephrase that...I usually don't get that much time to myself that I can sew that long.

You can make a quilt in a day with a lot of strip piecing methods. I only do this when i need a quilt in a hurry as s gift, usually. I do think its supposed to be the taking part not the race that counts!!!!

Here's my version of racing. I'm working on a block of the month project from my quilt guild. I plan my fabrics and cut out one block a day and the next day I sew it! I actually feel good about accomplishing that :) BTW, we received a booklet of all the patterns in the fall and it needs to be completed by April, so of course, I'm now "racing" to get it done while out of town in our motorhome.

Yes you can make a quilt in a day if you plan in advance.
1. make sure the rest of the family are camping in another state.
2. unplug the phones
3. stock the fridge with your favorite foods

4. pick a simple pattern one month before you start. I have done this with the around the world pattern!
5. take three weeks to pick your materials and wash them, change your mind and start over.
6. The morning of the big day, run to LQS to buy thread and more material.
7. Go back to LQS to buy needles. Just broke your last one!
8. have lunch
9 start sewing at 1 o'clock. finish the top at midnight!

peace

EDIT: By the way. Quilt in a day does not include the quilting

As another edit, After reading some of the posts, the question about why would you want to came up several times.

I have done this several times when people surprise me with things like an impromptu wedding, birthday party for a very elderly person going into a nursing home and for someone starting kemo. Sometimes you just do it cause you know you want to do something good.
peace

I s'pose it depends on how many hours you count in your days...I would think you'd come closer to completing one in a 24-hour "day" than a 10-12 hour one...:)

My question is: does this include adding the batting and backing and quilting? Or just the top?

I think really simple patterns yes, but it would take all day, but i think its possible to make a top in a day