Smart Feeder - Light sensor values

[Plum]

At last Emma, you'll soon be an addict

[Valkyrie]

Yup, my stash is huge - keep on adding and rarely using!!!!

[craftyhunnypie]

So will my basic Singer handle this quilting lark? I presume you piece & patch your pieces together, then how do you turn your flat stuff into quilt? Do you sandwich your pattern piece to wadding, then a backing of cotton, then sew somehow?

I remember in school doing some higgledy piggledy patterns to quilt a tie dye pencil case!

I sound so thick with this craft! But being inspired I've ordered 2 books off Amazon. I didn't want to succumb to £16 a month to make the quilt from the 99p magazine . What a con! So went on Amazon bought these...

 

 

Traditional Patchwork Quilt Patterns with Plastic Templates: Instructions for 27 Easy-to-Make Designs (Dover Needlework)"

Rita Weiss; Paperback; £4.83

 

 

Quilting in No Time: 50 Step-by-step Weekend Projects Made Easy"

Emma Hardy; Paperback; £8.34

 

Then I got carried away & bought this too for my new hobby!..

Sweet Needle Felts: 25 Projects to Wear, Give and Hug"

Docherty, Jenn

 

The first book comes with some plastic templates & I thought it a bit of a bargain. Thought it would be good to start with as simple shapes & nice patterns. Got a feeling my craft club are doing quilting March /April.

 

Emma.x

[Valkyrie]

You can piece and patch in a large size or you can quilt as you go and sew together afterwards (haven't tried that yet but I'll give it a try one day) which would be much easier for smaller machines. I have Harriet Hargrave's "Heirloom Machine Quilting" which you might want to have a look at - it covers the quilt as you go technique. Nice book too.

 

Your basic sewing machine should be well able to cope - they managed in the old days and the machines have come a long way since then!

 

I tend to put the backing on the floor (after moving all the furniture into one tangled heap away) and put masking tape around the edges to keep it smooth and flat, put the wadding - or batting over that (masking tape edges)and then the top right side up on that too. Then I "baste" it all together with quilting pins - which are like safety pins but slightly bent for easy use. You can also baste it by sewing large tacking stitches if you want. Make sure the layers are smooth before you pin together. Next I sew around the edges with a "v" and then you can trim off any excess backing and wadding. Then quilt. Finally bind it around the edges.

Does that help?

[craftyhunnypie]

Very helpful & put into terms I can follow! So what lines do I follow to quilt or can I do freestyle? When you say edging, do you mean like bias binding?

Emma.x

[Olly]

Can't answer your questions, as I'm new to this myself - but just wanted to say that I got 'Quilting in No Time' as a Christmas present. It has some fabulous projects in and I'm really keen to have a go at some of them, although they are not all quilts as such; more 'things you can do with s"Ooops, word censored!" fabric', e.g a baby's ball, padded coat hanger. My sister got it as a Secret Santa at her quilt club, and was so impressed she bought copies for me and for her daughters, who've both recently got sewing machines.

 

I really, really want to start a quilt but there's the five existing UFOs that I need to finish first ..

[Plum]

Lots of possibilities. I started off putting masking tape in lines and sewing along edges of them or you can sew 1/4" from edge of pieces or in your seam lines or................................... Should be some ideas in your books and they will tell you how to edge. If not we're happy to confuse you

[craftyhunnypie]

Arrgggh Plum, I need you here in Wales!!!

Can't wait for the books to come, although delivery did say about 30th January. At least it gives me time to eye up my lovely fabrics I had for Xmas. There is the most gorgeous fabric/haberdashery/knitting shop in Lampeter - called Calico Kate. I admire the creations in their window every time I go there!

I will love that book as I just want to be able to make nice things from nice fabrics - quilting is a bonus!

Perhaps if I get into it - a new sewing machine might be a nice treat from my 20p savings tin!

Emma.x

[Snowy]

An easy way to make a cosy quilt is to place your patchwork piece face down onto fleece. Sew around the edge, leaving a gap so you can turn it inside out. Turn and flatten it all down, then baste and quilt just the same as you would do for a normal quilt.

[craftyhunnypie]

If I start now, I might be able to give my new niece a girly quilt when she's about 2!!!

I hope I can line my shapes up correctly when sewn. Can you hand stitch your pieces if you want to then quilt on a machine?

As a beginner who doesn't want to spend much on this new craft - what would you say I will definitely need? I've got fabric!

Emma.x

[Snowy]

The best things ever invented for patchwork are a cutting mat, ruler and rotary cutter. They mean you can cut your patches to the perfect size, quickly, every time. No good having perfect 1/4" seams if your patches are all a couple of mm out! After that, all you need is fabric, needle and thread. You can patch by hand with paper templates, or run them through your machine - obviously it's a lot faster by machine.

[Christian]

The best things ever invented for patchwork are a cutting mat, ruler and rotary cutter

 

Couldn't agree more! My first quilt I cut out everything with a ruler, scissors etc and it took forever! The 2nd one, with a rotary cutter was so quick. It might cost a fair bit, but as long as you make a few quilts it pays for itself in no time and the mat is great for all sorts of fabric cutting!

 

With regard to edging Emma, just cut lengths of your chosen fabric and sew them together. I fold mine in half length ways. Then sew the raw edge to the top of your quilt, with the folded edge laying flat on the top of the patch work. when your have sewn it all the way around, you then fold the edging over towards the back and hand sew that to the back.

 

video shows you the basics. She is doing it for a laptop cover, but you get the idea.....

[craftyhunnypie]

Guess what? I now go a local once a month craft group. Guess what we are doing for the next 3 months meetings??? Quilted landscapes!!!! Next month we are doing the patchwork bit. The following month is the quilting bit. Then the final month is probably adding details. I can't wait & plenty of nice landscape round here to take inspiration from. Cambrian Mountain quilting - here I come!!! Can you tell I'm excited?

 

Emma.x

[Plum]

Wow lucky you

[LolaLayla]

That sounds like a great group to belong to

[miffy]

that sounds brilliant, lucky you. I am beginning a course this week, doing a sampler quilt. Its over 10weeks and we learn a number go different typed of squares (not sure if thats the right term but you know what I mean) and then assemble them into quilt. I'm really looking forward to it. I have bought my fabrics already. I have now finished my first quilt and will hopefully post a pic soon.