What I learned today....Quilting 101
08-25-2017, 10:33 PM
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: California
Posts: 441
When I decided to make my first quilt, I knew nothing about quilting, knew no one who quilted, and didn't even own a single quilting book. It was also before I had a computer to look things up. Basically I was clueless!
Lesson one: Measure the bed, lol! I happily stitched away, making an enormous quilt that would have puddled on the floor even if I had a California King!
Having sewn clothing for years, I used a 5/8" seam allowance, and, when the pieces didn't fit, I simply eased them together. No amount of starch or steam would ever get the dang thing to lay flat.
I tried to quilt it using 2" thick polyester craft batting, which, of course, wasn't even close to being as wide as the quilt top. I laid a piece of the batting somewhat diagonally, with the backing also skewed, but at an opposite angle, neither of which reached all the way across the width. Basting never even entered my mind.
As if that wasn't enough, I didn't know what a quilting stitch was, so I just started embroidering my way thru this enormous, fat bubbled mess!
Needless to say, it did not take me very long to give up, and not long after, I bought my first quilting book.
Lesson one: Measure the bed, lol! I happily stitched away, making an enormous quilt that would have puddled on the floor even if I had a California King!
Having sewn clothing for years, I used a 5/8" seam allowance, and, when the pieces didn't fit, I simply eased them together. No amount of starch or steam would ever get the dang thing to lay flat.
I tried to quilt it using 2" thick polyester craft batting, which, of course, wasn't even close to being as wide as the quilt top. I laid a piece of the batting somewhat diagonally, with the backing also skewed, but at an opposite angle, neither of which reached all the way across the width. Basting never even entered my mind.
As if that wasn't enough, I didn't know what a quilting stitch was, so I just started embroidering my way thru this enormous, fat bubbled mess!
Needless to say, it did not take me very long to give up, and not long after, I bought my first quilting book.
08-26-2017, 03:35 AM
#22
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Davenport, Iowa
Posts: 3,798
I have learned that now since I'm using my Janome with a 9 inch throat on a Grace frame that I can't quilt as large a space as I could before. Smaller meandering is needed. I've traced off a small meandering pattern and had it laminated so I can tape it to the end of my machine as a visual reminder.
08-26-2017, 04:41 AM
#23
Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Rolla MO
Posts: 99
I taught a foundation piecing class last week to make badges for our guild. I stressed pinning and even brought a pincushion full of fine pins for them to use/borrow. Pinning can make all the difference when getting pieces lined up. Of course someone had to be in a hurry and not pin. She won't be having a badge.
08-26-2017, 04:45 AM
#24
Power Poster
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Central Ohio
Posts: 15,186
Originally Posted by JJBlaine
When I decided to make my first quilt, I knew nothing about quilting, knew no one who quilted, and didn't even own a single quilting book. It was also before I had a computer to look things up. Basically I was clueless!
Lesson one: Measure the bed, lol! I happily stitched away, making an enormous quilt that would have puddled on the floor even if I had a California King!
Having sewn clothing for years, I used a 5/8" seam allowance, and, when the pieces didn't fit, I simply eased them together. No amount of starch or steam would ever get the dang thing to lay flat.
I tried to quilt it using 2" thick polyester craft batting, which, of course, wasn't even close to being as wide as the quilt top. I laid a piece of the batting somewhat diagonally, with the backing also skewed, but at an opposite angle, neither of which reached all the way across the width. Basting never even entered my mind.
As if that wasn't enough, I didn't know what a quilting stitch was, so I just started embroidering my way thru this enormous, fat bubbled mess!
Needless to say, it did not take me very long to give up, and not long after, I bought my first quilting book.
Lesson one: Measure the bed, lol! I happily stitched away, making an enormous quilt that would have puddled on the floor even if I had a California King!
Having sewn clothing for years, I used a 5/8" seam allowance, and, when the pieces didn't fit, I simply eased them together. No amount of starch or steam would ever get the dang thing to lay flat.
I tried to quilt it using 2" thick polyester craft batting, which, of course, wasn't even close to being as wide as the quilt top. I laid a piece of the batting somewhat diagonally, with the backing also skewed, but at an opposite angle, neither of which reached all the way across the width. Basting never even entered my mind.
As if that wasn't enough, I didn't know what a quilting stitch was, so I just started embroidering my way thru this enormous, fat bubbled mess!
Needless to say, it did not take me very long to give up, and not long after, I bought my first quilting book.
08-26-2017, 04:49 AM
#25
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,426
Originally Posted by JJBlaine
When I decided to make my first quilt, I knew nothing about quilting, knew no one who quilted, and didn't even own a single quilting book. It was also before I had a computer to look things up. Basically I was clueless!
Lesson one: Measure the bed, lol! I happily stitched away, making an enormous quilt that would have puddled on the floor even if I had a California King!
Having sewn clothing for years, I used a 5/8" seam allowance, and, when the pieces didn't fit, I simply eased them together. No amount of starch or steam would ever get the dang thing to lay flat.
I tried to quilt it using 2" thick polyester craft batting, which, of course, wasn't even close to being as wide as the quilt top. I laid a piece of the batting somewhat diagonally, with the backing also skewed, but at an opposite angle, neither of which reached all the way across the width. Basting never even entered my mind.
As if that wasn't enough, I didn't know what a quilting stitch was, so I just started embroidering my way thru this enormous, fat bubbled mess!
Needless to say, it did not take me very long to give up, and not long after, I bought my first quilting book.
Lesson one: Measure the bed, lol! I happily stitched away, making an enormous quilt that would have puddled on the floor even if I had a California King!
Having sewn clothing for years, I used a 5/8" seam allowance, and, when the pieces didn't fit, I simply eased them together. No amount of starch or steam would ever get the dang thing to lay flat.
I tried to quilt it using 2" thick polyester craft batting, which, of course, wasn't even close to being as wide as the quilt top. I laid a piece of the batting somewhat diagonally, with the backing also skewed, but at an opposite angle, neither of which reached all the way across the width. Basting never even entered my mind.
As if that wasn't enough, I didn't know what a quilting stitch was, so I just started embroidering my way thru this enormous, fat bubbled mess!
Needless to say, it did not take me very long to give up, and not long after, I bought my first quilting book.
Last edited by bearisgray; 08-26-2017 at 04:57 AM.
08-26-2017, 04:56 AM
#26
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,426
I have learned to be aware of secondary patterns that can develop when blocks/units are placed next to each other.
(I think) some layouts work out better when they are even x even or odd x odd arrangements than an even x odd arrangement.
Sometimes I think it takes at least four blocks (or drawings of blocks) to see what might be developing - and nine blocks set together will usually show which way it might be going.
(I think) some layouts work out better when they are even x even or odd x odd arrangements than an even x odd arrangement.
Sometimes I think it takes at least four blocks (or drawings of blocks) to see what might be developing - and nine blocks set together will usually show which way it might be going.
08-26-2017, 05:15 AM
#27
Super Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Central Wisconsin
Posts: 4,391
When I first thought about putting all my left over clothing fabric scraps together, I got some ideas while milking cows. I thought about it a long time, then started to top stitch one piece to the next with a decorative stitch. Of course it got too big and wouldn't lay flat. I finished the queen sized top, but had to slice it in two places to get rid of the "bubbles". The quilt was tied and was around until it was truly worn out. Then I found out it works better if you work with smaller squares!
08-26-2017, 08:02 AM
#30
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 1,386
At about 12:30am this morning I learned just how valuable it is to have plenty of needles on hand when sewing several layers of Peltex, Fusible Fleece, Piping and fabric! I heeded the advise of others who've previously made this bag and stocked up on a wide variety of needles - to include Jeans 16. All together - I bent/broke 5 needles BUT the bag is complete!
[ATTACH=CONFIG]579550[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]579551[/ATTACH]
Sorry photos are sideways - I haven't figured out how to rotate them!
Christine
[ATTACH=CONFIG]579550[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]579551[/ATTACH]
Sorry photos are sideways - I haven't figured out how to rotate them!
Christine
Last edited by TheMerkleFamily; 08-26-2017 at 08:05 AM.
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