Quilting is not a complicated skill. Basically, a quilt is three layers of fabric sewn together to create a warm, decorative bed covering which can also be displayed as a wall hanging. A quilt consists of a pieced or blocked top, thicker middle layer of batting, and a bottom layer, which is usually one or two large pieces cut from the same bolt of cloth. Many traditional quilters hand-sew the entire quilt, while modernists use a sewing machine for all or part of the quilt’s construction.
1. “Start Small”
This is one of the best beginners quilting tips to remember. A baby blanket is perfectly sized for your first quilting project. If a friend or relative is about to become a new mom, she will be thrilled to receive a homemade baby quilt. The easiest 36” x 36” standard size baby quilt uses the simplest method of quilt blocking, which is called the four patch.
2. “Choose Fabrics Carefully.”
The fabrics used to make quilts have varied a lot over the years. Homespun cloth was readily available in colonial times. Using different types of fabric in one quilt can cause puckering. 100 percent cotton medium weight cloth is favored by most modern quilters. Cotton wears well, cleans up well and is easy to work with. Furthermore cotton materials are available in countless color and pattern choices.
3. “Simple Quilt Patterns”
There are thousands upon thousands of different quilt patterns from all over the world, and more are emerging every day. Another of the many helpful beginners quilting tips to remember is to look for simple patterns which only incorporate straight seams and large blocks. Avoid patterns featuring curved pieces, as most beginners find these difficult to work with. Looking for quilt applique patterns? Check out Missouri Star Quilt Co.
4. “Using a Sewing Machine”
Although the quilt makers of yesteryear hand stitched all their quilts, many modern quilt makers use a sewing machine for all or part of the quilting process.
Chain stitching is an attractive option when sewing repetitive patterns, to remember is not to cut threads in between pairs of blocks when sewing lots of blocks together. You can cut them apart later to save time. Also machines sew stronger, tighter and more evenly spaced stitches than hand quilting.
5. “Ironing & Butting Seams”
Finally, one of the best beginners quilting tips is to always, always, always iron carefully after sewing every seam! Iron the seams one way, not flat like when sewing garments. This will help you with butting the seams as you sew pieces together.
If you iron all seams in one direction, butting the seams together when piecing blocks together is a lot easier. That way, you can continue sewing with your machine over flat seams instead of thick layers of cloth. Another benefit of butting seams is that your needles don’t break as easily when the cloth lays flat.
If you’re tired with the guess work and the haphazard instructions that come from “bad” quilters, then you should check out our next post about the best how to quilt guide on the internet. If you can’t make a quilt with their simple-to-follow instructions, well, then you might as well give up!
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