Basics - Beginning quilters what you need.
Sew, you wanna make a quilt? Where do you start? How hard is it going to be, and do I have the time? Here are some tips for those of you who have never made a quilt, or are getting back into the passion we share. Quilting!
Many of you know, I learned how to quilt through both my grandmothers, I'm not sure my mother ever made a quilt, she did however make clothing. I have made quilts. Clothing mmmmm not so much. Why? Clothing is exact science to me; even though I am a retired nurse and science was a part of my every day life, it was NOT my passion. Now, taking care of others much like quilting that is why I became a nurse. I have the ability to connect with people. Quilting is much the same, you need to connect with the project, have the right tools, and a passion for seeing it to completion.
History of quilting you can google that! History of you well, you write that everyday of your life. So leaving a piece of you behind after your passing that is quilting; made from you to someone you hope to remember you. A quilt keeps us warm, reminds of us things such as a vacation, a family member, or a time in our lives which made us who we are. This is where we start. Each quilt is history in the making, and history it will be for as long as you allow it to be shared.
Now, lets start! Where? In the beginning of course. First tools. Yep tools, like what you are going to need to make this piece of history last. How? Using the proper tools, materials, and techniques. Two types of quilts - hand pieced and machine pieced. Today, it's going to be machine since sew many of us want instant gratification, but no so fast there doggies; it wont happen in an hour unless your a wizard!
Machine quilting helps it to last since the stitching is precise, close together and held by not one thread but two! So lets talk machines for a second. Buy the one you can afford! That's it really. You do NOT need a expensive machine to make a quilt. I do have four, yes four. All four were under $300.00! I have two brothers, a Singer (embroidery) and Janome all purchased new on sale. You need a machine that make a straight stitch, with your guidance of course. Get one with a nice light too, that does help. Now on to the next tools...
Sew whats next? Cutting tools. A must is a good self healing cutting mat, and rotary cutter usually bought as a set on sale with a coupon you know where! Get the one that fits in your space, you don't need the biggest bestest most expensive ones, they work much the same at any price. And if you hate quilting you have not blown your savings on things you won't use. If you can afford a spinning mat, get it! LOVE LOVE LOVE it, so versatile.
Square is best over round, since you will be cutting a lot more squares than you will circles. Then there is the rotary cutter, get one that fits your hand! Try them out; feel them. Its best if they are sitting in the palm of your hand naturally. You don't want hand cramps from it being overwhelming after a few swooshes across that new mat! Yes, swoosh wait til you hear that new blade cut through the fabric, its addicting!
Okay, we are almost there! Next measurements and straight lines. Get yourself a versatile ruler one that is marked clearly and easy to read for your eyes. Eyes being strained lead to cuts, BAD CUTS that burn like well like being burnt! It's not pleasant! Templates are fun and cute, but not necessary for a basic quilt. Being able to cut a straight line in 99.9% of time is.
Scissors, well yes a good pair with comfort grip handles, mid size mainly for cutting threads, and some fabric. OH never cut paper with them. If you've got the scissors; you need the thread, ask the counter lady what is best for the fabric you will use. Now on to the good stuff - Fabric...
Fabric, fabric FABRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIC. I love fabric must be why I sell it. How do you pick it? With your eyes of course! Well okay sensory is best. Does it look good, does it go with the pattern you picked, how does it feel. If it feels funky in the store it will feel funkier in your quilt! So get what you can afford first off. Look around, find the best deals, use coupons ( we have them at www.sewnsewhome.com) and buy what you need NOT what you want. Remember we are beginning here. Stash time comes after we have made our fist quilt, and realize just how much we love this art! So, for fabric look around, touch, and think on it (its on bolts it won't disappear before your eyes if you need and day or two).
Now you have the basics of quilting needs. Next time we will talk about patterns and how to choose for your first quilt or 100th! Thanks for coming by. Never know I am an insomniac so I may be writing the next installment in two hours. Read it when you can or skip it. But keep coming back!
Keep the passion growing, learn from mistakes and if you think its too much walk away for a bit, and look again later.
Many of you know, I learned how to quilt through both my grandmothers, I'm not sure my mother ever made a quilt, she did however make clothing. I have made quilts. Clothing mmmmm not so much. Why? Clothing is exact science to me; even though I am a retired nurse and science was a part of my every day life, it was NOT my passion. Now, taking care of others much like quilting that is why I became a nurse. I have the ability to connect with people. Quilting is much the same, you need to connect with the project, have the right tools, and a passion for seeing it to completion.
History of quilting you can google that! History of you well, you write that everyday of your life. So leaving a piece of you behind after your passing that is quilting; made from you to someone you hope to remember you. A quilt keeps us warm, reminds of us things such as a vacation, a family member, or a time in our lives which made us who we are. This is where we start. Each quilt is history in the making, and history it will be for as long as you allow it to be shared.
Now, lets start! Where? In the beginning of course. First tools. Yep tools, like what you are going to need to make this piece of history last. How? Using the proper tools, materials, and techniques. Two types of quilts - hand pieced and machine pieced. Today, it's going to be machine since sew many of us want instant gratification, but no so fast there doggies; it wont happen in an hour unless your a wizard!
Machine quilting helps it to last since the stitching is precise, close together and held by not one thread but two! So lets talk machines for a second. Buy the one you can afford! That's it really. You do NOT need a expensive machine to make a quilt. I do have four, yes four. All four were under $300.00! I have two brothers, a Singer (embroidery) and Janome all purchased new on sale. You need a machine that make a straight stitch, with your guidance of course. Get one with a nice light too, that does help. Now on to the next tools...
Sew whats next? Cutting tools. A must is a good self healing cutting mat, and rotary cutter usually bought as a set on sale with a coupon you know where! Get the one that fits in your space, you don't need the biggest bestest most expensive ones, they work much the same at any price. And if you hate quilting you have not blown your savings on things you won't use. If you can afford a spinning mat, get it! LOVE LOVE LOVE it, so versatile.
Square is best over round, since you will be cutting a lot more squares than you will circles. Then there is the rotary cutter, get one that fits your hand! Try them out; feel them. Its best if they are sitting in the palm of your hand naturally. You don't want hand cramps from it being overwhelming after a few swooshes across that new mat! Yes, swoosh wait til you hear that new blade cut through the fabric, its addicting!Okay, we are almost there! Next measurements and straight lines. Get yourself a versatile ruler one that is marked clearly and easy to read for your eyes. Eyes being strained lead to cuts, BAD CUTS that burn like well like being burnt! It's not pleasant! Templates are fun and cute, but not necessary for a basic quilt. Being able to cut a straight line in 99.9% of time is.
Scissors, well yes a good pair with comfort grip handles, mid size mainly for cutting threads, and some fabric. OH never cut paper with them. If you've got the scissors; you need the thread, ask the counter lady what is best for the fabric you will use. Now on to the good stuff - Fabric...
Fabric, fabric FABRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIC. I love fabric must be why I sell it. How do you pick it? With your eyes of course! Well okay sensory is best. Does it look good, does it go with the pattern you picked, how does it feel. If it feels funky in the store it will feel funkier in your quilt! So get what you can afford first off. Look around, find the best deals, use coupons ( we have them at www.sewnsewhome.com) and buy what you need NOT what you want. Remember we are beginning here. Stash time comes after we have made our fist quilt, and realize just how much we love this art! So, for fabric look around, touch, and think on it (its on bolts it won't disappear before your eyes if you need and day or two).
Now you have the basics of quilting needs. Next time we will talk about patterns and how to choose for your first quilt or 100th! Thanks for coming by. Never know I am an insomniac so I may be writing the next installment in two hours. Read it when you can or skip it. But keep coming back!
Keep the passion growing, learn from mistakes and if you think its too much walk away for a bit, and look again later.
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