So...for those beginners out there (like me)...here are the basic steps.
1) Make the quilt front (this is the pretty part). This is called "piecing".
2) Quilt the darn thing. You have to lay down the back fabric of the quilt, the batting and then the front of the quilt on top. Then safety pin (I think this is also called basting?) every few inches. I used the width of my hand. Once it is all pinned so the three layers are held together you then use your sewing machine to sew through all the layers to keep your "sandwich" together. Mostly I used "stich in the ditch" which is just sewing in my existing seams. Some people use patterns but I'm nowhere near ready for that. The batting I chose said you had to quilt every 2-4 inches (OMG, next time make sure I buy batting that doesn't require it to be quilted so close!) So, in addition to "stitching in the ditch"...I also quilted within each rectangle on my quilt...mimicking the pattern.
3) Once you are done quilting you will have all these loose threads hanging from the quilt. These need to be tied off so they don't come unraveled. I've heard you don't have to do this...but it makes sense to me that I don't want to do all that work for nothing. SO...you place your thread from the front onto a needled and feed it to the back of the quilt. Your other thread (from the bobbin) should be there. Tie the two together into a knot. Then put both threads onto a needle and feed them under the fabric and the clip the thread when it comes back up (so it is buried and not as noticable).
4) Final step...binding. The first part is machine sewed on the front. Then you have to hand stitch the whole thing on the back side. Whew.
5) HAVE A BIG ALCOHOLIC DRINK...way away from the quilt! LOL.
Here's the front:
Here's the back: (see the pretty quilting?)
Well, no cards to share for this week. Was busy all weekend finishing this quilt. Now I do NOT want to give it away! LOL.
Jane
5 comments:
It looks great! I am so proud of you for finishing it this weekend! Now onto shopping for your next one, right?
Congratulations, Jane, on your first quilt!!! Know that you're giving a lot of love with this gift! love your instructions. IMO it's always good to quilt within that range as batting slides no matter what. :) Have fun picking out your fabric for the next one!
Jane !!!!
What a fantastic job !!!!
Looks awesome Jane!! I too have joined the quilting hobby.... I am making a pink quilt for ME! I figured the first one should be for me for two reasons...1) it won't be anywhere close to perfect and 2) I don't want to spend all this time and have nothing to show for it.
Whoooohooooo!!! CONGRATS!! Looks fantastic!!!
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