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Arts and crafts

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Original poster

How easy is it to make a patchwork quilt?

16 replies

Nevergoogle · 19/12/2009 19:51

Is it a lot of faff, or do the quilts come together quite easily as long as you know the basics of sewing?

Any special equipment required or will a standard sewing machine do?

TIA

OP posts:

abdnhikinginawinterwonderland · 19/12/2009 20:03

Not hard at all if you can sew already!

A standard sewing machine is all you need for the patchwork. The key is to measure carefully, I use a cutting wheel and long rulers to make sure everything's square.

Once you've your top pieced you and you need to quilt it, then there are special machine attachments that help you quilt through all the layers. Personally I always hand quilt them though. It's very relaxing and it keeps me from eating in front of the TV. All you need to do that are some quilting needles (just very small needles) and a frame to hold everything taut. You can buy batting that only needs quilt lines about 8 inches apart which greatly reduces the amount of hand quilting you need.

I'm not sure if this is enough detail - feel free to ask more questions. I come from a family of quilters but I think it's pretty straightforward. Not like knitting - that eludes me!!!

pooter · 19/12/2009 20:07

I found it more tricky that i thought it would be - you have to be really precise with your measuring. Dont leave your cutting board in the sun because they warp in an instant!

I would recommend getting someone to show you what to do in real life - my friend helped me get started, and if she hadnt emigrated to New Zealand i would have asked her for help a number of times!

I made an eye-spy quilt for my 2yr old and i am really pleased with it and want to do more, but need to find another mentor!

Good luck!

Original poster

Nevergoogle · 19/12/2009 20:11

Is it a good plan to have a pattern?

How on earth do you keep it all square and not wonky?

OP posts:

pooter · 19/12/2009 20:17

What are you planning to do? I would keep your first one really simple - just squares of different colours or something. I did squares all the same size, with every square a different motif - like a different animal, or car/train etc, but then tried to group it in diagonal colours and i put plain rainbow colours in diagonals next to the motif squares. (wow that sound confusing!! i will put a piccy on my profile in a sec!).

You can get a special foot for your sewing machine - i think its called a quater inch foot (i never got one but think i ought to have!) whhich keeps your seams the same size, so if you have cut out your squares accurately, then all will be right with the world...

Its good to lay it all out first, then piece it together in rows, then peice the rows together (or if you are doing a nine square pattern, piece the nine squares together then rows of them together)

Original poster

Nevergoogle · 19/12/2009 20:25

ok, haven't really given it loads of thought as to what i'd like to make.
I have a tunic i'm about to start making which will be a big enough project to keep me going until the spring i think.
But i'm hoping to upgrade my sewing machine in the new year so would like to get a machine that will be able to handle quilting when i finally get round to it.
I've not been sewing very long. Have now made a bag with a button, a purse with a zip, 3 pairs of children's pyjamas, and a table cloth.
All very basic but a good start.

Thanks for your replies.

Any books you recommend?

OP posts:

pooter · 19/12/2009 20:29

well you sound quite accomplished to me! Im a bit too slapdash for sewing really, but i love the idea of it!

I have a couple of patchwork books but its real live people you need - the books gave me a false sense of confidence and i realised quickly i had no idea what i was doing.

Original poster

Nevergoogle · 19/12/2009 20:33

i've been going to a class since the autumn.

i've now 'graduated' from the beginners class and can go to the sewing club.

i'm sure the ladies there will keep me on the right track as long as i take the lead in doing some thinking for myself.

OP posts:

SleighBelleDameSansMerci · 19/12/2009 20:43

Now, I was going to respond that it's really easy but takes ages assuming that you'd be doing it by hand! I didn't even know you could do patchwork/quilting with a sewing machine - only ever done it by hand. Feeling a bit of a idiot now

pooter · 19/12/2009 20:44

Ah well you won't have any problems then! The best part is planning your quilt anyway (well, and admiring it at the end!)

I love the cobblestones pattern with a square inside a square of a different colour. I intended to make one for my mum this Christmas, but what with having the builders in, being pregnant and losing my marbles it never really got off the ground. There's always mothers' day.

abdnhikinginawinterwonderland · 19/12/2009 22:02

I use this book a lot. It has some instructions in the front, but isn't just a beginners manual, more of a pattern book.

To cut the fabric and keep it straight I rely on my rotary cutter, mat, and ruler - a set like this. Unfortunately it costs an arm and a leg - I 'borrowed' mine about ten years ago from my MIL and she kindly gave me a few more bits and bobs. Ask at your sewing class and see if you can use one while you're there. The actual cutting part is really quick for a simple quilt.

A good starter quilt that looks way harder than it is might be an irish chain? pattern and pics although a very simple patchwork block one is always nice too. I'm doing one at the moment - just 4 inch blocks (all quilt measurements are normally in imperial because the equipment tends to be imported from the states).

Original poster

Nevergoogle · 19/12/2009 22:11

thankyou.

how do you sew the pieces together making sure you don't have lots of fabric at the seams.
do you press each piece outwards again or just trim the excess very close?

OP posts:

skiffler · 20/12/2009 08:40

I've been toying with the idea of having a go at a quilt - some useful tips here. I've noticed that they always seem to use quarter inch seams - are they a bit fiddly? I mostly sew clothes, so am used to a bigger allowance!

abdnhikinginawinterwonderland · 20/12/2009 14:55

If you cut everything right you'll have a 1/4" seam allowance all around. then you can press this to one side. You shouldn't be trimming after you sew...

To sew a 1/4" seam, I've taped a guideline on the plate of my machine. If I then line the fabric up to that, I end up with a accurate seam (if I rush, it tends to go a bit to pot).

Original poster

Nevergoogle · 20/12/2009 19:07

ok, making sense now.

thanks.

OP posts:

Ithaca · 21/12/2009 14:57

I am a bit rubbish at sewing but have made a couple of patchwork quilts (fisrt one completely hand sewn) and they look nice. I tend to rush into things so I didn't know about using a rotary cutter and mat or anything when I started so lots of the squares are wonky and not lined up properly in the end but hey, it's a charming homemade look

I guess what I'm saying is go for it, it will all come together beautifully and satisfyingly in the end, especially if you have old clothes and other bits of family-related material (a pair of cotton boxer shorts goes a surprisinly long way in a patchwork).

Quiltingmama · 05/01/2010 19:59

there's an Amish quilting tradition that you have to make an error in your quilt somewhere because only God can create perfection - go for it! You could get a copy of Patchwork & Quilting magazine to give you more direction, it has a basics section each month. Have you a quilting shop in the area? They are always brilliant at helping you get started.

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