I have finally finished my first ever patchwork quilt!

[overmydeadbody]

My first quilt

I made it using lots of my accumulated scrap fabrics (It has made a little dent to the mountain!) and backed it with a double flat sheet. MY quilting skills are nil so I just stitched in the ditch vertically (my squares didn't all line up perfectly horizontally, never mind, it looks ok for a first quilt). Even the binding I made out of lots of fabric scraps, so it is a missmatch of fabrics but it looks lovely to me!

I'd love some feedback, I know it' not a piece of art or anything and real quilters would do a far far better job, but I have got the quilting bug now so hopefully my next quilts will be neater!

I have learnt so much doing this. It was great fun, even if it took me 16 months of procrastination to actually finish it!

[overmydeadbody]

toomuchpizza thank you! I am glad I inspired you and I love your quilt! I am not also following your blog, thanks for the link!

Rouge I am glad this has inspired you to give it a try too! It is very very satisfying.

[roguepixie]

Wow, absolutely beautiful ... and a lovely blog too.

You have inspired me to try one myself. It's long been ambition but you have galvanised me to try.

[toomuchpizza]

Well done - that's beautiful! I remember when you first blogged about it and it was around then that I decided I would do one too. I cheated and bought the fabric as I'm fairly new to sewing and my stash is nowhere near big enough yet! I finished it in time for Christmas and it's here if you fancy a look. I also used the stitch in the ditch method as my free motion quilting is not really up to scratch. I love the pocket effect from stitching in the ditch and think I actually prefer it to fancier designs.

I also recommend 505 and a rotary cutter. A quilting ruler is really handy too for all sorts of projects. I have a 6" x 12" one and it's been one of my best purchases.

[overmydeadbody]

Thanks for the lovely comments!

I would also recommend a rotary cutter if you are cutting squares or strips for quilting, I cut out 725 squares for my quilt, there is no way I could have had the patience to do that with scissors!

A rotary cutter is like a pizza cutter, but you use it with a cutting mat and ruler, and you can cut four or five layers of fabric at once so you can get a lot cut. Lines are perfectly straight too.

My squares were cut at 3.5 inches, so the finished squares when sewn together were 3 inches wide.

I only ever iron fabric for sewing too, never clothes! When the ironing board is out, that means a project is in progress!

[fairyqueen]

I've just bought a sewing machine with the hope of learning quilting and yours is proper inspiration. Congrats.

[UrsulaBuffay]

I will add it to my list ( have yet to even attempt using machine!)

[TunipTheVegedude]

A rotary cutter, with cutting mat and ruler, is a wonderful thing. It makes your shapes so much neater and thus makes it easier to sew them straight. It's also way quicker if you're doing a lot. But for big squares you'll be fine with template and scissors.

[UrsulaBuffay]

Urgh scissors I haven't ever heard of the other... Iron?! >falls down dead

[UrsulaBuffay]

Thought of another stupid question - do you make a template for the squares and how big do you recommend?

[UrsulaBuffay]

Thanks so wash and then cut then sew. I'd have done it all back to front

[stealthsquiggle]

I am blown away by the sheer scale of your first quilt, OMDB. My "finished" quilt top is now in danger of being chopped up and turned into a stacked coin one to make it a big bigger (but would still only be single bed sized at most)

[lifeistooshort]

congratulations, it looks lovely. It is a real labour of love isn't it!! I have just finished DD's quilt yesterday so know the feeling of achievement....it took me a year!

[DewDr0p]

OP your quilt is gorgeous - really lovely mix of colours.

[backwardpossom]

Oh wow, that's really impressive! Love it :)

[stealthsquiggle]

I am not sure yet when I will be able to get away - I may PM you nearer the time when I have an agenda

[AndABigBirdInaPearTree]

sewing.patternreview.com/review/store/562

sewing.patternreview.com/review/store/403 (good for high end quilt fabrics, flannels and interesting notions)

[AndABigBirdInaPearTree]

Point Loma.

If you have some time off perhaps we should go shopping together :) If you have time we should hit yardage town and beverly's too.

[stealthsquiggle]

Bigbird [ - I will actually be in Coronado, but for work rather than holiday - which is the best Jo Ann to escape to, do you think?

[lljkk]

Ooh, well done to OP.
My machine is currently breaking needles at a rate of noughts so I have lost my nerve with using my walking foot. :( I only have binding to finish on one quilt until I work up my nerve to figure out & solve the needle-breaking problem, at least.

I tape to kitchen floor and tack thru layers there, it has worked quite well. Only up to about single bed size, though, don't know what I'd do for anything much larger.

[AndABigBirdInaPearTree]

I don't usually prewash because I like my quilted things to have that puckery vintage look.

Fairyjen, I found I don't like making big quilted projects as they hurt my arms and shoulders trying to work the fabric through the machine so I make smaller projects, mainly table toppers and runners and lap quilts.

Stacked Coin quilts (images.google.com/search?tbm=isch&q=coin+quilt) are easy though, nothing much to line up but looks impressive.

I just did a faux cathedral window table runner and while the pressing was a complete pitn the sewing wasn't hard and I think it looks cool.

[AndABigBirdInaPearTree]

Stealth, that is where I live :)

[TunipTheVegedude]

Prewash before cutting if you're using fabrics from different sources, yes.

Nobody do what I did and prewash a jelly roll, though

I think it would be hard to quilt with fabrics of different weights and stretchiness, though the Victorians mixed silks and velvets in their (vile IMO) crazy patchworks. Some people suggest that if you want to use jersey you should mount it onto a less stretchy woven cotton first. I might be inclined to do the main patchwork in firm cottons then applique on motifs from the stretchy stuff.

[coldcomfortHeart]

Ursula you should really wash all fabric before using it (dull but important) as some things run or shrink more than others, and if you just went for it and then washed your quilt you might end up with some puckered, tight bits and bleeding fabrics, etc.

Using knit/jersey fabrics is something I've never done, and although I'm sure it's manageable you might want to do some research into the best way and use the appropriate sewing machine needles/presser feet.

[FairyJen]

Ok I want to make one now. What do I do?

< sits down with pen and paper ready to e educated >

I have fabric an a sewing machine.