Quilting

[Mishy1234]

Can anyone recommend a good book on quilting (patchwork) for beginners?

I want to make one with elephants on for DS1. Do you get patterns for quilts or do you just make your own templates for things? Also, do you use a sewing machine for quilting (got one for Christmas!) or is it usually done by hand?

Sorry if these questions are daft. I'm a complete beginner!

[shongololo]

depends on what pattern you want- if you are novice, I would go for either applique (cut out shape of elephant and then sew it onto fabric) or crating a "fussy cut" simple patchwork quilt - fussy cutting is cutting specific bits of the fabric out, so that eg an elephant is central, then surrunding it with nice contrast fabric.

Have a look here for applique basics

Have a look here for quilting basic techniques and here for some ideas (a fab site BTW - have a look around for the lessons pages too!)

[Mishy1234]

shongololo- thanks for the advice and links. There's so much to learn!

[moondog]

Go to a class first trhen you gain confidence and meet people who can help you.

After that, you will have the confidence to do it alone.

[soccerwidow]

Free-motion/raw edge applique is quite "fashionable" at the moment and much more forgiven for a complete novice. I borrowed a really good book from my library by Poppy Treffrey that explains the method. I also borrowed a couple of general sewing books and they had all sorts of applique methods in them.

These sites are have some good tutorials too...

comfort stitching

Dont Look now The cushions look amazing & quite an involved project but she gives really clear explanations on how to do free-motion applique.

[soccerwidow]

oh and this one is good for quilting

crazy mom

[coffeeinbed]

Get some elephant fabric -
go to etsy.com and search in supplies.
There will be hundreds of listings.
Otherwise you go into applique territory and that's scary.

[coffeeinbed]

Shongololo -see the blog you've recommended, have you seen Elizabeth Hartman's book?

[shongololo]

not actually seen it - just excerpts on her blog and others. But I do love her style - wish we could get the fabrics in th UK that she uses!

[coffeeinbed]

It's getting much better though.
If you go to imagingermonkey - just google - too flu-y to link - and rummage a bit she had a brilliant series of posts about UK internet shops, and they carry a lot.

[Mishy1234]

Loads more posts, thank you!

I discovered yesterday that my MIL has a lot of the kit I'll need (mats, ruler, cutter etc), so that's means I won't have to buy lots of stuff. She has lent me some books too, so having a look at those. Unfortunately she doesn't have any experience, so can't ask for advice, but will definitely look into classes. Can't really do anything in the evenings though with DS2 still so little, but it's worth planning ahead.