An indroduction and a request for help/information
 

Hi, I am new here, well relatively new. I have been semi active in the vintage area for a little while now, but have not ventured anywhere else. I thought I would stop in and say hi tell you a little about me (wow that sounds arrogant, like I just assume everyone wants to know all about me ) mostly to give you an idea of what I am looking for. So here goes.

I am a pushing 50 father of a range of children ( the only one interested in sewing is a 10 YO Daughter)
I live in interior Alaska ( where supplies and specialty items are rare,expensive or unavailable) and i have a thing for old sewing machines. All of my meager sewing experience has been heavy weight upholstery material, outdoor nylon (cordura) or ultralight extra slick silicone coated "Silnylon" (again an outdoor type of fabric.

I have a couple of treadle machine and some very cute 3/4 size vintage singer electrics ( 99's and 128's) only one machine has reverse or ZZ. (my singer 306 with stitch cams on a treadle base)


I have sort of been thinking I might like to make a quilt. never done it, never been interested. Let me further state that while i can apreciate a quilt and the many patterns an aplique as an art form, they do not interest me. To my way of thinking a quilt in its "purest" form is a collection of otherwise unused material, sewn together to make a useful item. I am pretty much a form follows function kind of guy, maybe that is why the tough old basic black straight stitch machines have taken such a hold on me.

Anyway, I would like to know if there is a basic tutorial for quilting, no FM no wandering lines, no particular patterns, maybe a bunch of squares of my old uniforms or something. So anyway I need details of things like are the two sides pieced first and then fitted with batting ? is the batting edge stitched all of the way around and then a back put on? Do you make an envelope and stuff it ?

Really basic step by step kinda things would be really appreciated and most helpful.

Thanks
Dan

oh I almost forgot, I want to do this on one of my vintage straight stitch machines.

It would be easier if you got a rotary cutter cutting mat ,but it can be done with scissors just like out Grandmothers did. Decide on which size you want & get a piece of poster board. Cut a template out of the poster board the size you want! Use it to cut out your squares. Sew rows of these blocks together with a 1/4" seam allowance. Pin your seams together where they meet sew & 'em up. Ta-da! Ya got a quilt top!!!! There are a lot of tips to help you, but this is the most basic quilt top.
This is a good link!
http://quiltingtutorials.com/

Welcome from Milwaukee first thing. Now the form/function thing. Many times when two different fabrics are sewn together, ie; cotton and satin, they don't act as partners. You get puckering; one will stretch and not the other. Your best bet is to piece your quilt top out of the same type fabric if you can. Your shirts would probably be a good first attempt. Try to cut your pieces with some precision if possible. You'll be happy later when you're sewing pieces together and they line up nicely. You have the right idea about the two sides (front and back) being pieced before the batting goes in. Don't sew the batting to one half before the other half is on. I like to use basting spray - sort of temporary glue. It holds the layers in a sandwich while you put the quilting in. Read labels on batting packages. Some has to be sewn as close as 6 inches apart and some you can get away with every 10 inches. Reason being; the batting is not designed to hold together in a sheet, it has to be reinforced. If you do your quilting too far apart the batting will come apart in the wash. Start in the middle and sew toward the edges to avoid puckers. Do you have a walking foot? Will your machine let you lower the feed dogs? No envelopes. You would never be able to get the batting piece the perfect size to fit into the slot and lay down. I hope some of this makes sense. It's a lot of info for the first lesson. Please feel free to Email me if you have more questions. And don't get discouraged. This is a wonderful hobby but you can't be in a hurry. Well, you can, but it will affect your results.

What about a rag quilt? Looks fantastic done in denim or any mismatch of fabrics and would be lovely and warm.
http://jubileehomespun.com/info/Quilt_Instructions.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-LQfYXrG_Q
There are many other tutorials on the internet if you google Rag quilt, good luck and have fun :)

I would also go here and click on lesson one and follow through that should help you a bunch.
http://www.quilterscache.com/index.html

Hello and Welcome to the main area of the board :)
Sounds like you want to start out with just a basic patch quilt- as described above - how you put it together is all up to you- for a first time you might want to do the "birthing" method - put top and backing right sides together - place batting sew most the way around leave an opening to pull the quilt right side out then you can straight stitch to do the quilting on the top

Welcome Dan!! Look around a bit, check out the tutorials. If you have any specific questions, just give a holler.

I also found this link for you. No more bad back for me!
http://www.thequiltshow.com/os/blog.php/blog_id/2566

Thank you all for the info, looks like I have reading and video watching to do.

If I ever get around to doing something I will post it up for you all to laugh at. The first one should look like something Linus drags around.