Inexperienced needs help with proposing to girlfriend!!
 

I hope I am posting this thread in the proper place. I am planning on proposing to my girlfriend around Christmas time and finally came up with the perfect idea. She has recently become a quilting enthusiast and has even bought her own machine. I want to make a quilt that pops the question, "will you marry me?" Although I have experienced quilters in my family that could help me, I'm hesitant to ask their opinion for fear they wouldn't be able to keep it a secret. That's why I'm here...

Is it possible to make a quilt with writing in it? I want the quilt to have a nautical theme, and be fairly large. Is it possible to sew words on that are made out of fabric? Or would it be better to quilt the words in with just the thread?

I have no experience quilting myself; however, I would like to do as much of it myself as I can. I would of course have the watchful eye of an experienced quilter to guide me so I don't completely mess it up.

I'm curious if anyone can tell me if this is a feasible idea, and if there are any internet resources that could help me as well.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

What a cool idea! You could get the words embroidered on fabric or you could get them appliqued on. You can add iron on photos of the two of you. You can do any pattern with nautical fabric so you would be able to use an easier pattern. A great way to keep the secret is to hire someone here on the board to do embroidery with the question. Then you can work on piecing the top of the quilt with a relative, not revealing the proposal block until you are nearly done piecing the top (just letting the quilter who is helping know what size block will be added.

I hope she says Yes!

Do you know anyone with the quilting software Electric Quilt 7? They have block patterns in there that are letters. If you make the blocks large enough they shouldn't be too hard to sew. I used them to make a logo/banner for my quilting business Silver Needle Stitching.

You can applique the words using steam-a-seam ... it's a product that you iron onto the fabric, cut out your letters, then peel off some paper and press those letters on where you want. If you want it to last well, then you do a satin stitch with your machine, around the edges of those letters.

Another way to do the letters that to me would be a very easy way for a beginning sewer, which it seems you are telling us that you are ......... create the words along with the whole quilt design in a grid pattern using graph paper ... then use that grid to cut out blocks accordingly, in the different colours that you want. You can create angles by using what we call HSTs (half square triangles)

Those blocks can be any size .... 2x2", 3x3" etc ... all depending on how big you want your quilt to be! You'll be sewing 1/4" seams, so each block will end up being 1/2" smaller with the seams.

Here's a link to a quilt I did ... all done in the way I have explained to you. HOpefully it will help give you a visual, and see how the HSTs work into the design ... also a few QSTs (quarter square triangles) ....
http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...r-t136789.html

Another option, as mentioned is embroidery ... someone who has an embroidery machine could sew/write your message out and then you could sew that into your quilt.

If you would like to applique the letters here is a link that may help. http://www.ehow.com/way_5402953_inst...e-letters.html Also there is several places you can do the letters in the block, just do a google on quilt block alphabet.

The quickest way would be to embroider.... lots of people here would help with that if you didn't have access to an embroidery machine. Or you could do it by hand.... lots of options..

Lucky girl!

I think embroidering the words by hand would be simple and very effective...I'd be mush over the thought of you hand stitching it for me!

You could do a Sudoku quilt. Put the letters in some of the blocks. She would wonder why some blocks had letters and others didn't. She would have to start reading and then it would dawn on her. The letters for the words could be every which way. Good luck with this project. I'm sure you'll figure out the perfect solution.

Maybe you can find a quilt shop near you? I bet ladies in there would fall over themselves trying to help you with such a neat project!

There are alphabet quilt blocks you could make for the wording. Just google it & it should take you to the sites. Also you could do as QuiltE said with the steam-a-seam & make your own letters. Another cute idea would to make one of the blocks into an envelope. To find that block, go to you tube & put in envelope blocks. There will be tutorials on how to make them. They are really cute & I made one into a ring barer pillow for my grandsons wedding. When you open the envelope, you could have the ring tied to a ribbon in the envelope as I did for the pillow.

It is actually called Love Letters Quilt Block Pattern. Once you google it on you tube, look for the video on kayewood

I suggest your local church Ladies Aid, or nearby Quilt Shops. Either will be full of the type of help you are seeking, and will be thrilled to help. Best of luck.

I love this idea :thumbup:

Doing this for your girlfriend is such a sweet idea. You will make a very thoughtful husband.

Not to be Debbie Downer, but I hope you are reasonably certain that she will say yes. This would be a big project that no one would want if she turns you down. (see recent Yahoo news for a story about a fellow who sold his 20-year collection of baseball cards to buy a ring, and his GF said No Way.)

How about having a quilt made with a secret pocket? And the ring could go in the pocket. Then you could ask her. If she says no, you will not be stuck with a "Will You Marry Me?" quilt that will have unhappy memories.

I like the reply about putting a pocket on the quilt with the ring inside. I would put it on the back so that after the ring box was taken out you had a place for washing instructions, any small bits of fabric you might need in case the fabric got torn, etc. I have started putting little pockets on the backs. I have a cat that is fully armed with all her claws, and she has torn them in places jumping up on the bed. I think those little tears need to be repaired, so I have a small piece of fabric to cover the rip. I imagine I will be appliqueing over others, because you can only get so much in a small pocket...

Anita in Northfield, MN

I also like the idea of a pocket with the ring in it. Before I saw that I was thinking you could put a boat on the quilt and name it Will you marry me.

Check for a quilt guild in your town or close by for help. Also if you have a senior center with a quilter's group they would be good help. These people would have lots of experience to draw from and would be happy to help.

I agree that going to a local quilt shop, or local quilt guild would be a good idea, provided she isn't a part of that guild. If you want to find one, just google "quilt guilds in (wherever you are)" . Information with local and contact information will pop up. Lots of guilds have websites, so if your girlfriend is a member of a guild in your town, chance are there is a guild in a neighboring town that would LOVE to help. I think as much as this board would like to help, there's a lot to be said for a beginner to actually be able to see and interact with an instructor. Good luck and please, please, please send a picture of what you do!!

Well aren't you just the most thoughtful, and clever fella!!!! Good hubbie materiel! My only suggestion, perhaps a smaller piece, maybe a wall hanging? Keep it simple, easier for you and it will still look good... I love the pictures idea. Ask your quilter friend about how well that would wash...Not sure... And we all want to see pics and hear how it went. We are cheering for you!
Ellen

BunnyHill designs has just came out with fabric that is lettered. You can also use your computer to print to fabric the center block, will you marry me. The easiest quilt to make is a rag quilt. Each block is sandwiched with batting and an x is sewn across each block before your sew them together. You can use nautical fabrics along with some solids. They come out beautiful!! You can make them as big as you want and you will be able to complete the quilt yourself!!! Good luck!

What an awesome idea!

What a fun idea! You have had some good suggestions here. I'd go for it!!

Seems like great intentions but not having made a quilt before this may end up being more than you care to handle. (hours and hours of precesion cutting and sewing, then it needs to be quilted) She might appreciate a bag of quilting supplies or a kit tied up with the ring. Good luck with whatever you choose.
Maybe you could take her to Padukah for the honeymoon : > )

I love the ease of the rag quilt idea but personally think that, since this will be a keepsake for sure, something more classically quilty would probably be better. The idea about the line that has alphabet blocks is a really good one. I am hoping that you would like to get this done fairly quickly and get this girl married to you. So follow the KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) rule and make something beautiful and simple. We quilters gravitate to lots of neat "things" that make a quilt FABULOUS but the fabulous here is the job this quilt is made to do in a simple and beautiful way.

1. Get good "CIA" help from local quilter shop or quilters.
2. Pick a simple plan. I think just blocks made of beautiful fabrics in a simple arrangement.
3. Either include a large embroidered (Hire this done) square or use alphabet fabric blocks spelling out your request in your pattern.
4. Put on a nice double border.
5. Have it professionally quilted.
6. MAKE A LABEL and attach it.
7. Either bind it yourself or get someone in your family to help with this who is a quilter. That way they are involved close to the revelation of what you are doing with less chance to spill the beans.
8. Help plan the wedding!

We are here for you along the way. You HAVE to keep us posted!

A very good list that MHollifiel has given, and one more point to add ------

9. Be careful whom you share your plan and project with ... quilters are known to share exciting news!



As for all the talk about your choosing a too ambitious project for a first time ... in quilting, there's never too ambitious of a project, when it's something that you reeeeally reeeeeeeally want to do. So go for it with your love of your Love, and you'll do a spectacular job!!!

Well, isn't that the most romantic thing I've heard in a long time??? (If she dares to say "no", I will divorce my husband and marry you!!!) ;) Good luck with this wonderful idea!!

I think you should go ahead with the idea thinking she will say yes. You know her. I think the wallhanging idea is a great idea. I think doing applique would be so easy. I think going to your local quilt shop and asking them for advice on appliqueing would be what you need to do. Congrats (in advance)!!

Putting in my offer to be next in line - however I am not married! What a true keeper (that's you young man)!

What an awesome thoughtful way of proposing; something that would be unique and special to her!! Good luck on your endeavor; you'll do just fine. Please post a pic of the completed quilt or wallhanging along with her answer! You can't leave us all hanging....

What a good idea!

Why not use the international signalling flags to write your message? Each flag is easily to piece (easier than letters) - and it would certainly make a nautically themed quilt. Plus - the quilt would be more useful after you 'unroll' the question.

My best advice is secretly take a quilting course. That way you get help from experts.

What a sweet idea! I'm glad you're giving yourself lots of time. A lot of beginning quilters decide they want to make a special project with only a couple of weeks to complete figuring it looks easy to make a quilt so it can't take much time. Not!

As you've had no experience why not approach a local quilt shop and ask about beginners classes. Tell what you want to do and I'm sure they will fall over each other to help you. Don't leave it too long to start as you don't want to rush it.

This is a very romantic thing to do and I wish you both all the best for the future..

Sounds like you're a keeper! Starting off on this way is definitely a good sign :)

I have an embroidery machine and would be delighted to embroider the words on fabric for you. Maybe you could put it on the back as a quilt label. Just pm me if you are interested! Anything in the name of love! LOL

Well, you certainly have received great ideas for your important project. I am curious. How did you find this board and go about inquiring? Is your intended a member of this board? Ooops, that would be amazing. Anyway, it would make a nice addition to journal this journey and record it in a nice notebook to go along with your quilt/proposal/ring. What a keepsake!! And, yes, you are a keeper for her, for sure.

Great Idea
 

I couldn't agree more with all the nice things that folks have told you here. Please don't be discouraged by the work involved. Believe me I think she will fall over you for taking such an interest in something that she so loves. Any one who quilts will know just how much thought you have put into this project and how much work that you put forth to do this for her. I wish you all the luck and congrats on your engagement and marriage. You seem to be a guy that any women would love to be married too. All of the helpful tips that you have already recieved will help you to accomplish this project .

young man, you are definitely a keeper! You're thoughtfulness in wanting to create such a quilt is awesome! You've been given some really good advice here. The only thing I would add is to sit down & put your ideas of how you want the quilt to look when it's finished on paper. Then go to the local quilt shop & start asking questions. Believe me, we all will help in this endeavor. Good luck & congratulation (in advance). Please keep us posted as to the progress of your project. And the end result!

The "surprise" could be completely hidden from those prying eyes that cannot keep a secret by having the proposal on the quilt's label.