Quilt as you go
#21
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: United States
Posts: 2,222
Thank you all for the links and tips. I think a lot of them will be very helpful. I've watched several different videos already that have been helping me understand what I need to do and I've got a much better understanding of how to go about making this QAYG quilt. Unfortunately I only just realized today that I probably didn't buy the right batting. One of the videos said cotton was the best and I found a website that explained all the different battings and what was recommended or not recommended. I bought 100% polyester and see they don't recommend that at all. Will my quilt be really bad if I use it?
I also realized that I bought the wrong type of fusible web but at least that's not too expensive to replace.
I played around with some scrap material yesterday and tried sewing some strips to a center square. Seemed easy enough so I'm not sure where the difficult part comes in. I also realized after reading my pattern for about the 100th time, that I have to sew the few square corners to the shortened strips so that shouldn't be difficult. At least in my mind it doesn't sound difficult.
I'm taking my time with getting started because I want to be sure I understand the process before I ruin my material.
I also realized that I bought the wrong type of fusible web but at least that's not too expensive to replace.
I played around with some scrap material yesterday and tried sewing some strips to a center square. Seemed easy enough so I'm not sure where the difficult part comes in. I also realized after reading my pattern for about the 100th time, that I have to sew the few square corners to the shortened strips so that shouldn't be difficult. At least in my mind it doesn't sound difficult.
I'm taking my time with getting started because I want to be sure I understand the process before I ruin my material.
It's fantastic to check out a lot of resources but sometimes it can be overwhelming. Everyone has their own opinion and it will be up to feel your way and develop your own methods and techniques. I am not discounting anyone's recommendations but everyone has a different experience level and thought process.
So what if you make a mistake here and there. It is not life and death. Hugs to you.
Last edited by slbram17; 08-05-2016 at 04:01 PM.
#22
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 36
Thanks slbram for that information. Seeing how this is my first attempt at quilting, I would imagine my daughter in law won't be too upset if the quilt doesn't come out perfect, although I am going to try my best to do everything right. I tend to be a perfectionist. I use to make draperies for people but it became way too stressful because if I didn't like how something looked, I'd rip it out and start again so I stopped doing sewing for other people.
#23
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: United States
Posts: 2,222
Thanks slbram for that information. Seeing how this is my first attempt at quilting, I would imagine my daughter in law won't be too upset if the quilt doesn't come out perfect, although I am going to try my best to do everything right. I tend to be a perfectionist. I use to make draperies for people but it became way too stressful because if I didn't like how something looked, I'd rip it out and start again so I stopped doing sewing for other people.
#28
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 36
I started on my QAYG and got my applique fused and stitched to the center of my quilt. I've basted my first border to one end and basted the center block with the applique and my center is looking a little lumpy. I'm hoping this will smooth out once I sew and press my first layer but am I stuck with the lumps because I did something wrong in my stitching?
I'm including a picture of what I've got so far.
I know the applique stitching isn't perfect but please keep in mind, this is my first attempt at quilting and doing an applique.
I'm including a picture of what I've got so far.
I know the applique stitching isn't perfect but please keep in mind, this is my first attempt at quilting and doing an applique.
#29
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Illinois
Posts: 2,140
I usually starch & press my top before I layer the quilt sandwich. You really shouldn't need to press once it's layered together. It looks like there might be tiny tucks in your seam with the purple sashing. To prevent that, what I do with applique is always cut my background fabric larger than what I need for the unfinished size. Once the applique is complete, I trim down that piece to the proper size, starch & press it, then seam together with sashing/next block. I press again before layering my quilt sandwich.
The other issue is layering the sandwich. You want to tape nice crisp backing fabric to the table/floor (I use masking tape -- you could also use painter's tape). Gently lay your batting on top of that, smoothing out any wrinkles with flat hands from the center outward to the edges. Then, lay your quilt top on the pile, again smoothing from the center out using flat hands. To baste, start in the center & work toward the edges. You can use pins, thread or glue/basting spray. I've found that only stitching the edges produces bubbles/wrinkles on the back of the quilt because it doesn't allow the fabric anywhere to go. I make sure I've done a good job securing from the center outward before adding the stitches along the edge (their primary purpose is to keep the edge of the fabric from turning under & getting caught in the stitching somewhere in the middle of the quilt).
I think if you go back & starch/use sizing and press the top pretty well prior to quilting, you'll find it smooths right out. Those few tucks along the seam will become less noticeable once you quilt along that seam. Typically, you want to quilt from the center out, but because this is such a small piece, you could try quilting along the edge of the sashing & working your way down to the other edge.
Super cute elephant! Good luck with the rest of your quilt!
The other issue is layering the sandwich. You want to tape nice crisp backing fabric to the table/floor (I use masking tape -- you could also use painter's tape). Gently lay your batting on top of that, smoothing out any wrinkles with flat hands from the center outward to the edges. Then, lay your quilt top on the pile, again smoothing from the center out using flat hands. To baste, start in the center & work toward the edges. You can use pins, thread or glue/basting spray. I've found that only stitching the edges produces bubbles/wrinkles on the back of the quilt because it doesn't allow the fabric anywhere to go. I make sure I've done a good job securing from the center outward before adding the stitches along the edge (their primary purpose is to keep the edge of the fabric from turning under & getting caught in the stitching somewhere in the middle of the quilt).
I think if you go back & starch/use sizing and press the top pretty well prior to quilting, you'll find it smooths right out. Those few tucks along the seam will become less noticeable once you quilt along that seam. Typically, you want to quilt from the center out, but because this is such a small piece, you could try quilting along the edge of the sashing & working your way down to the other edge.
Super cute elephant! Good luck with the rest of your quilt!
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