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Rings that bind...fabric selection help.

Hello everyone...

I am new to quilting...I have never attempted to make a quilt but I saw the video about the Rings that bind quilt and I am going to try and make it for my daughter. I have learned alot just from reading the forums and saw that fabric selection is important. I would like to know what kind of material you would suggest for this quilt. Is there some fabrics that are easier to work with than others? Any help you could offer me would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

100% Cotton is usually used for quilting.

That seems like an awfully ambitious quilt for a first attempt. I hope you at least have much sewing experience, as you jump into the fray :)

I agree with above poster - 100% cotton. After that, it's all about colour/pattern selection. My local quilt store is fabulous at helping with that.

If it is the pattern I am thinking of, it looks like you need a repetitive border fabric to imitate the ring sections? She does do the pattern also sewing strip together to do the rings but that looks like a lot of work. Traditionally quiter's cotton fabric is used in quilts. I have used other fabric but it is more difficult and you have to use fabrics with the same content to prevent problems.

Welcome to quilting & the board!

Quote:

Originally Posted by kristakz (Post 5521538)

I agree with kristakz. Many veteran quilters have attempted the Rings That Bind and didn't enjoy it so much for some reason or another, and/or admit it is in the difficult range. Others loved it. If you don't have much quilting and sewing experience, if you feel you might get easily frustrated and are aiming for perfection, you may want to start with a 'beginner' quilt pattern. One that is basic to cut and sew and finish, then move on to the more advanced patterns slowly. Those that have different blocks and techniques. Quilters-doesn't Rings That Bind have a lot of tedious work involved? I have the book and template and have not attempted it yet as I am enjoying learning just about every different kind of block and pattern I can before I start cutting the fabric for that one.
100% cotton, pick out a main fabric, work the other fabrics around the coloring in the main fabric, and use a color wheel if needed. Everything will fall right into place. And make practice blocks before you cut into your fabric selections for this quilt. You don't want to end up short on fabric if for some reason your practice blocks aren't up to your own standards, as well as what the pattern is calling for. (I bet the majority of us have had blocks look differently than what it is supposed to. You know those pesky 1/4 or scant 1/4" seams have a mind of their own sometime.)
In any case, enjoy the process of quilting your first quilt! And when you get Rings That Bind started-please show us some pictures!

Hello again and Thank you for the Welcome...

I realize this is a big project to take on especially since it is my first quilt. I do plan on lots of practice on scrap material I have (mainly old bed sheets) before cutting into the actual fabric I plan on buying for the quilt. Lord knows I don't want to invest in alot of nice material then go messing it up by cutting it wrong. Honestly I don't have alot of sewing expierence either but I am one to believe that all things are possible so with that I am gonna do my best and know that my daughter will love it no matter how it turns out, even if everything don't line up excatly like they are supposed to or any imperfections there may be.

From what I have read and learned so far I was figuring that 100% cotton would be the best option (I just wanted to ask and make sure) From reading I also have learned that the fabric should be pre-washed. Any suggestions on that? Will the edges of the material fray when I wash it and if so is there something I should do to avoid this?

I will post pictures as I do the quilt and i'm sure I will have lots of questions along the way as well. I look forward to talking with each of you and learning from all of you...This forum certainlty has alot of great people.

Take care everyone and Thank you so very much for your help.

welcome and happy [and smooth] quilting

Welcome to the best forum on quilting! I admire your confidence in taking on a difficult quilt as a first project. Your are right in thinking that your daughter will love it no matter what.

I'm a believer in pre-washing all quilting fabric. Many quilters aren't. I like to unfold my fabric and then either zig-zag the cut edges or use a pinking shears or pinking blade in my rotary cutter on those edges. Either method will keep you from having tangled strings after washing. I use the wash and dry settings that I expect to use on the finished quilt. Dry on low heat in the dryer. Press with a hot iron before cutting. Then just follow your pattern direction.

Good luck in your project! Looking forward to hearing more from you. :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by havinfun (Post 5521610)

From reading I also have learned that the fabric should be pre-washed. Any suggestions on that? Will the edges of the material fray when I wash it and if so is there something I should do to avoid this?

I always pre-wash, generally in the harshest environment I think the quilt will be subjected to. So, for example, fabric for a baby quilt gets washed in hot water. I toss in just a little bit of laudry detergent, to help remove any chemical residues.

Yes, they will fray. Being lazy, I just expect to lose about 1/2" of each piece of fabric. And I spend time between washer/dryer untangling and cutting strings. And then again when it comes out of the dryer. Overcasting the edge with a zigzag stitch would help prevent this - but as I said, I'm lazy :)

Other that than - take it slow and steady. Definitely ask this board for help if you need it. And buy some extra fabric, just in case you need to recut a couple of blocks. I often round up to the next 1/4 or 1/2 yard for this purpose. And post lots of pics so we can cheer you on :)