Please help - quilting/applique question

[KinkyDoritoWithFairyLightsOn]

Hi all

I have decided I want to have a go at learning to quilt with a view to using applique too.

I do not have a clue how to start, or what I need.

There are no classes in my area; I've looked. I'm after good book recommends.

Also, does everyone use 100% cotton fabric? Where do you buy this from? I've been having a lovely long look on e-bay, but I sense it could quickly get expensive.

I am trying to operate on a budget, although I could be swayed to buying a sewing machine. The last time I used one of them was with the world's worst textile teacher when I was 13 and we simply made up what we were doing. I am totally clueless.

Please take pity on me? I'm very keen. I've had a rubbish year and I need something beautiful to channel my energy into. I got far too carried away making some little felt decorations for my Christmas tree, which led me to think there's a frustrated sewer in me, just waiting to get out...

Thanks

When I say it could get expensive buying material on ebay, I only mean if let loose without a plan, I could become very carried away. Too many beautiful things...

Google quilting tutorials, especially on blogs.

Hand piecing is a lovely way to start, but a sewing machine does make the whole thing go quicker (if quick is what you want). Hand piecing with templates also means you don't really need things like rotary cutters etc.

100% cotton does make for a more reliable finished product, but really you can start with absolutely anything.

Good luck, it's a lovely hobby!

Thank you hopefully. So I'd need to buy a template from somewhere? I did have a patchwork kit when I was little - I used to sew loads then by hand - and that used templates.

Are templates easier than using a rotary cutter?

Thanks again

I sew a lot of hexagon patchwork quilts by hand, I prefer sewing by hand than using a machine.
I use paper templates which are then removed.
The world is your oyster with quilting and applique.
Definitely google quilting to give you ideas.
I use a lot of duvet covers and pillowcases as fabric, as it works out a lot cheaper. It is amazing how many pieces you can get out of a pillowcase.

If you don't want to go to the hassle of cutting etc you could start off with buying a Jelly Roll (40 strips 2/5" wide and come from a specific fabric range), a Layer Cake (10" squares) or Charm Packs (5" squares).

There are free patterns on the Moda Bake Shop site. And they tend to use one or more of the 3 packs above - with a bit of background/sashing fabric to add.

If you want a book recommendation for your Christmas list this is great. It is fairly new and covers all the different types of patchwork and quilting that I can think plus a few that I haven't heard of.

I bought a pack of 100 pre cut templates from eBay like these for very little. They mean you don't have to cut hundreds out yourself which is hard to do accurately again and again, then you can concentrate on the sewing.

If you don't want to use those then you can get templates like these reasonably cheaply too.

Using 100% cotton is the standard requirement but you can use anything which isn't stretchy. Make sure if some of your cloth is washed before you start sewing, all of it is washed before you start cutting or your could get problems with warping if you wash it later when it is all sewn together. However, I am a bit lazy about this but really it depends on how often you think you might wash your work. If it is a baby quilt you might need to be more careful than if it were a wall hanging for example.

Another possibility is crazy patchwork where you sew scraps of anything onto some calico and embellish it like this. You can use as much or as little embellishment as you like and you can machine or hand sew it.

There are lots of fabric packs on eBay which are worth looking at. Precut squares are relatively cheap although if you want an whole beds worth it mounts up. If you just want to have a go at cushions to begin with then they are ideal. Look for FQ (fat quarter) bundles or jelly rolls too. This shop for example has a good selection (but don't pre-wash the squares because they could end up different sizes]]. Pad out the patterned fabric with bits cut from old plain cotton bedsheets and you can get quite a large piece of work.

Have fun!

Thank you all so much!

I will hand piece to start with then.

I was going to buy FQ and pre-wash, just because anything in my house will need washing regularly, and I would like to make things we can use to start with, like cushion covers, quilts. I am keen to have a go at applique, and I also liked the CQ site.

BigBaubledBertha interestingly, the book you suggest is one I've had my eye on, so I think that's a winner. I will hint at DH all week, and if it doesn't turn up at Christmas, my PIL usually give me an amazon voucher.

Sigh. So I suppose I'm going to have to force myself on to ebay to buy lovely things. The hardship.

Any other suggestions still gratefully received.

The book Bertha recommends is great, I've had a flick through it before. Layer cakes and FQ Bundles are definitely a good place to start. Be aware that you can't really pre wash anything smaller than a FQ without major fraying issues. However, if you're making a whole quilt from one line of fabric (as in a layer cake etc) it shouldn't matter if you don't pre wash.

Ps when you want to spend a fortune I sell Liberty print charm packs

Thanks Hopefully. Oooo, Liberty prints... Have just spent lots of money on Ebay. We won't mention this to DH just yet, until the house is covered in beautiful, hand-crafted items and he is awe of his talented wife.

Do you have access to a sewing machine??

there are lots of short cuts available if you do? Like strip piecing and chain piecing. Crazymom Is my favourite quilting blog. Lots of great tutorials & "sew-a-longs" as well as this one

As for applique - I have this very lovely book, Freya and Fred I bought it after seeing an amazing quilt on display in my local quilt shop. The instructions are really simple & the book is full of ideas. You are basically given lots of templates for making "Freya" which are like those old fashioned paper dolls.

I have bought some "emergency scrap packs" from fabric rehab. Although they work out the same prices as buying meterage, you do get a selection of a variety of prints that would cost you a small fortune if you were to buy as fat 1/4s. In Freya & Fred, Janet Clare also talks about using old clothing/fabric.

I did a beginners course to get me started. The most important things I learnt were

Accuracy - of cutting & stiching seam allowance.

wash ALL or NOTHING

Nothing wrong with using non-cotton fabrics, just check thread count/weave. Some polys are too tightly woven ditto percale cottons & some "posh" bedding. That makes it very hard when it somes to quilting

If using fabrics that are not 100% cotton, then wash first.

If your squares do not match (ie one is bigger than other) put biggest piece down first, and this will help to even them out.

Use a small piece of scrap fabric in your machine as "thread saver" everytime you begin sewing. On my ancient machine, that really helps stop the first lot of stiches unravelling too.

Press - "set" stitches by pressing along seam, how it comes out of machine (basically with rights sides still facing) & then press seam allowance to one side

Thanks GetOut that book is beautiful, and I love the lucky dip fabrics. I haven't got a machine yet, but I would like to get one.

I'm just beginning to quilt/patchwork too. I have a good fabric stash from other sewing but am practicing quilting/patchwork/applique on old cotton sheets first - everything from cutting, hand stitching, machine stitching, layering, binding. When I feel okay with that, then I will start using my lovely fabrics. Can't wait!

Hi Bssh. How is it going so far? I may have ordered some lovely fabric... whether I dare to use it yet remains to be seen. I think trying it out on sheets is a great idea. Thanks.

I'm just finishing my first quilt ... just got to put the binding on!! I've found the various quilting tutorials on youtube very useful, somehow I've learned more from watching people do stuff and talking it through than reading books. I've always done a lot of dress making, but quilting is very different, been fun too - an excuse to loiter in fabrics shops and buy little bits of lovely fabrics. Accuracy of cutting is more important for quilting and also accuracy and consistency in seams is very important too. have fun!

I'm learning via You Tube too. Still haven't progressed from hand-sewing on old sheets yet. However, my sewing machine should arrive today and then I will start practicing quilting on a machine - but still using sheets. Only after I'm happy with the sheet will I start using my Liberty fabric stash . I've got some gorgeous Liberty, Moda and Cath Kidston fabric that I can't wait to use. First up will be two small quilts to hang on the wall of DD's room; then I will move onto a larger throw for the living room sofa.

I find myself dreaming of a house covered in applique wonders... DH won't know what's hit him!

Just a thought, my first forray into patchwork was paper piecing. I have made several quilts that way, all hand stitched. I love using small templates, although any size can be made- here's tutorial link for hexagons. www.ciaspalette.com/patterns/06/englishhexagons.html
But there are lots available on line, try looking English paper piecing patchwork. Applique can be done by hand too, I love fat cat patterns and there are lots of free downloadable patterns with instructions. www.fatcatpatterns.com Most of all have fun and start small, a cushion maybe as apposed to a super king quilt.

Thanks for link patchwork. My lovely book arrived today (look who couldn't wait until Christmas... ). So, I have templates, fabric, instructions, thread. I will be having a read and hoping to get sewing my first project this week!

You could have made yourself a nice set of mats for your Christmas table by then KinkyDorito.

Enjoy yourself. Nothing like a few nice new sewing things to lift the spirits.

have fun and let us know what your making.

I've started hand-making my first bit of patchwork tonight.

I love it!

Thanks for all your help .

Was a bit delayed by Christmas frenzy .