Quilters - can you talk me through the process, please?

[lucysmam]

I have (very) vague plans atm to make each dd a quilt for Christmas. I have a few questions though if someone has a few minutes spare?

For use on a single bed, and as a snuggle on the sofa, blanket how big would you make it?

What backing do you use?

My machine doesn't have changeable feet (that I can afford), is it possible to achieve the same quilted effect using a normal foot as opposed to a walking foot?

Any other tips would be fab then I can decide whether it's do-able on my shitty* machine or whether to do something else

*lack of functions/feet make it a bit useless sometimes!

[lucysmam]

The grammar in the second sentence is bloody awful!

[jerryfudd]

I'm an amateur self taught sewer but made a few quilts to date as gifts for friends new babies.

Just use normal foot on machine. Never had an issue. I use wadding inside and back with fleece or milky dot stuff. I've only made around cot bed size to date

[Ohfourfoxache]

Lucy I've been searching for a thread like this for ages! So glad there is someone else out there in the same boat!

I'd love to do a big quilt but I don't know how it would work out using a standard sewing machine to do the stitching "in the middle" iyswim? I keep thinking that, if it's soo big, then it's going to bunch up and screw up the stitching?

[hunibuni]

I tend to use the very scientific method of however wide my arms go by however long it is from my shoulder to my toes when making one big enough to snuggle on the sofa but that's because I like to tuck it around me. I think the last one I made was 36 X 39 (inches ) roughly which is smaller than I usually make.

If you want you could measure a duvet cover or sheet and then decide how big each patch will be to work out how much fabric you'll need. I tend to use 100%cotton batting because it's easier to handle. I like plush (minky) or fleece for the backing because it's soft but have had good results with flannel too. They can be slippy to work with so cotton is best for a beginner.

You're machine is going to have to be able to cope with 3 layers of fabric so if it's a very basic model try it out with small bundles of fabric to see how well it copes. If it manages Ok then I would recommend a walking foot because it keeps the feed even. If it struggles then I would go for hand quilting or just tying it in strategic spots. Look up tying a quilt for tips on that.

Have fun!

[hunibuni]

ohfour there is a lot of rolling involved lol. (Currently saving for a long arm quilter because my friend and I are getting commissions)

[lucysmam]

Thank you!

It does surprisingly well on layers of fabric for a super cheap, super basic machine so that shouldn't be a problem. I think I'll do some experimenting with some of the odd scraps of cotton in my box.

I'll look up hand tying though, that may be a better idea to ensure no snaggy, horrible bits of sewing.

I don't want it/them to be quite as big as a single quilt so will measure when I strip the girls' beds in the morning & do a bit of random folding/pinning to see what fits.

(It's going to be Stampycat if I can do it - figure starting now ish gives me time to get frustrated with it & still produce something I'm pleased with )

[lucysmam]

I can sew slippy fabrics - mainly into dresses and costumes though. I've never ventured into quilting before. I'll start tracking down fabric in the right colours.

Do you use a rotary cutter or scissors? I haven't got a cutting mat so would be relying on cutting round a paper or card template for straight edges I think.

[fannyfanakapan]

Ok.....Ive been quilting on and off for about 10 years, so still an amateur really!

Making a single bed quilt, you want to aim for around 70 inches by 90 inches.

This is the width/length of the bed plus the depth of the mattress plus a bit more.

Yes to sewing the patchwork top with a machine. The actual quilting - stitching together the backing, the wadding (the fluffy stuff inside) and the patchwork top - can be done with a machine, if you have a walking foot or an open embroidery type foot. Or...consider tying your quilt - which is threading a loop of embroidery floss through the layers and tying off at regular intervals. Or hand quilting - some Ive seen recently just have some nice big (5/6 mm) stitches in colourful embroidery floss. Or a combination of all of these!

You could also consider Quilt-As-You-Go - in which you quilt the blocks as you make them, and then pull it all together at the end. This makes it very portable and easy to quilt as you are not manipulating vast swathes of fabric.

I always use cotton backing, although Im tempted to use flannel on my next quilt!

[Halsall]

I hand-tied a small quilt for a friend's baby and it worked really well. I used fairly thick (ie 3 or 4 strands) of embroidery thread. Previously I've hand-quilted things, just using a simple running stitch, and it's a surprisingly soothing and fulfilling thing to do!

[fannyfanakapan]

lucysmam, consider for your first project buying a "layer cake" - a mixture of 10 inch squares, precut. Mix them up with some plain white squares and you have a basic quilt! Or, look at a Jelly Roll, which is 20 or more x 2.5 inch strips precut, a variety of fabrics. You could also look at buying charm packs, with are 5 inch precut squares - there are lovely patterns you can make with precuts and they do give you a good variety of quality fabrics.

[lucysmam]

ooh, I might have a go by hand then. I'll look up quilt as you go as well.

I definitely can't afford £14 ish on a foot when I'm not certain it'll fit the machine (£25 from Netto years ago).

[lucysmam]

Thanks fanny, I'll look up layer cake too.

I could have a go at ones for their dollys first. Get a feel for it

[hunibuni]

If you invest in anything go for a rotary cutter and a quilters ruler. When I started I bought a 9 1/2 inch square (1st) and a 6 1/2 X 24 inch ruler from amazon (no big price difference with eBay ) They have a thicker edge so it stops the blade from slipping and it means you get an accurate block. I have to say that I have never gone back to scissors even when I make toys or clothes because you have such a clean cut.

My cutting mat was a cheap from The Works and lives under my machine when not being used to absorb the vibrations. Space is a premium for me because my sewing space is in the back porch so my ironing board doubles as a surface for the mat and my padded sewing box is used as a pressing station for setting the shorter seams with a travel iron.

Hand tying is lovely and you can experiment with materials. We have used embroidery thread, wool, leather and ribbons and you end up with very different results. I like using ribbon and I have tied a very plain one with vibrant ribbons tied into a bow, which worked as a secondary feature.

I have to say, I love the dresses you made! I saw them on another thread

[lucysmam]

Thanks huni, my latest are Sleeping Beauty and a White Witch of Narnia for book day.

I'm limited on space too. I cut and draft on the living room floor (laminate) and sew on the dining table under three halogen bulbs. Everything gets packed away of an evening otherwise it takes over

I like the sound of using ribbon - may try that for dd2, not sure it'd look right on a Minecraft quilt for dd1.

I'm off to town to hunt down trimmings for dd1's dress on Tuesday so will nip in The Works to look for a cutting mat & scout amazon for a rotary cutter and ruler tonight (I have a nice long list to while away the evening with )

[hunibuni]

This is one I finished putting together yesterday. It used 30 pocket of patches (4x4) and just over a fat quarter for the white and blue (it might have been less, I was using left over binding strips) .

[lucysmam]

Ooh, that's lovely! I'm not sure mine will be quite as well put together as that

[hunibuni]

Just make sure you stick to the quarter inch seam and watch some tutorials on matching seams (Missouri star has good YouTube tutorials )

[Ohfourfoxache]

Thanks Huni - I may well give it a go!

Your quilt is utterly gorgeous how long did it take you to do? I would love to be able to do anything even half as beautiful.

[hunibuni]

It only took an afternoon to do the top because I was using pre cuts so the only cutting I had to do was the blue and white strips and then I laid everything in order and chain stitched. I put the short ends on one side, chain stitched then turned and did the same to the other side. Press to set seams and then open and press again. Then do the same with the long strip. Once you have the blocks then place them in whatever way pleases you then take a pic (saves trying to figure out what you did ). Lift each row and stitch the blocks together and then stitch the long rows together. I would do any quilting at this stage if I was quilting as I went along especially if I wanted the back to have a secondary pattern or feature when connecting the blocks. The simpler blocks can be made in no time at all!

[lurkerspeaks]

Look at modabakeshop for "recipes" using precut fabrics.

I find one pack of colourful fabric and some solids (which are cheap) can make an effective quilt top.

I've not done any fancy quilting on my domestic machine but straight lines are perfectly possible up to single bed size,

For sizes look at bedding websites!

[ilovetosleep]

I am new to quilting too so am pleased to find this thread! I have made my first quilt top with a jelly roll, it only took a couple of nights and I'm very excited! Think I'm going to splash out on an 8£ generic walking foot to quilt it from amazon and will also order a cutting mat - what size mat should I get? is A2 big enough or should I get A1?

And one more Q, I have a 1/4 inch foot and am trying really hard to keep my seams 1/4 inch, but it seems so tiny and all my edges are fraying - I worry that it will fall apart! Although I suppose once it is quilted this is not a problem?

Thanks!

[MissYamabuki]

I love quilting it's so satisfying

OP, it sounds like you're v good at dressmaking so you should find quilting a doddle.

The thing that will make a massive difference in terms of time and accuracy (ie do your blocks match or are they wonky) is the rotary cutter and cutting mat. Fantastic tools!

Enjoy yourself and remember to post pictures of your quilt!

[MissYamabuki]

Oh Ilovetosleep

I think it's handy to have a biggish mat for other sewing projects, so long as you can store it properly so it doesn't bend etc.I have an A2, have made 7 quilts and cut fabric for another ridiculously enormous one.

I use a 1/2 centimetre seam allowance (am not good with inches), I made a mark in my sewing machine so didn't buy a foot. Your quilts will look fine as long as all the seam allowances are the same.

I would give a wide berth to very fraying-prone fabric - a pinwheel block of mine is coming undone. I did use a knackered, poly cotton pillowcase from a charity shop

Have fun!

[ragged]

I can't imagine machine quilting without a walking foot, it wouldn't work with my machine, anyway. But hand quilting would be okay, if you have time. There are special quilting needles.

I think my cutting mat must be A2; who has room for A1?!

[lucysmam]

Thank-you all, this is really helpful! I have a quilters ruler on it's way this week, will order a rotary cutter next week and get a cutting mat the week after.

I make a masking tape marker on my machine for seam allowances.

What fabrics do you all use if you want them to be washable? I'm debating polycotton so I can just sling them in the machine (both girls like to snuggle up on the sofa under their current blankets & they end up with spills/dribbles/dd2 wiping randomness on them).


I think for Stampy, if I do his face 8x8 - 5 inch squares and then two rows above and below in green, and one each side in green it should be a reasonable size for dd1 to use both as a bed blanket when it's cold and on the sofa. Am going to staple some greaseproof together at some point soon & see.