Crafts
Dear Community,
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
How difficult is quilting?
Specifically to a newbie on a sewing machine. I think I might want to try it, but am not sure.
Re: How difficult is quilting?
Honestly? Not too hard. I made a rag quilt for DS (20x20in) and then jump straight into a 60x70 quilt for my mom.
I didn't have this recommendation when I start quilting, but try to sew along loose leaf paper, following the lines. You don't have to use (and waste) thread.
The needle will punch it and help show how you are doing.
I watched *a lot* of youtube videos and read tutorials and things from quilting bloggers before I started.
the blog
Partner to J | 02.15.05
Mommy to C | 02.18.09
Not hard.
Read lots of blogs. Sew Mama Sew has some pretty easy tutorials- her charm square baby quilt was my first quilt and I've done about a dozen now.
You will need a quilting foot for your machine- for straight line quilting and stitching in the ditch, you'll need a walking foot, for stippling (the swirly designs) you need a free motion quilting foot (also called a darning foot on some machines). You may also want to buy a 1/4" piecing foot because that is a virtually universal seam length in quilting and it will make your life so much easier.
If you have any specific questions, post them here, and we'll try to help!
Stand up for something you believe in.
The charm squares quilt on Sew Mama Sew is from Oh Fransson. I highly recommend checking out the section Oh Fransson has on quilting basics.
Related: the author of Oh Fransson published a book this year that is actually really good- I recommend trying to get a copy of it.
http://www.amazon.com/Practical-Guide-Patchwork-Basics-Quiltmaker/dp/1607050080
It isn't information you can't get for free (other than some of the patterns), but it is helpful still when I want to have something out without constantly having my computer up.
Stand up for something you believe in.
I gave up on my first quilt and it was several years before I tried it again. Now I love quilting. Based on that first experience, I would say the important things are to:
1) Pick a fabric that you love. (You'll probably choose a simple pattern and make mistakes, but having a cool fabric to work with is what motivates me not to give up.)
2)Invest in rotary cutter, ruler, cutting mat and the 1/4 foot for your machine. (I tried using scissors for that first quilt and that was definitely a disaster!)
You should start with simple square/rectangle shapes. Those allow for straight lines - newbies in the sewing field should master straight lines first!!! I agree that lined paper helps build confidence with straight lines and allows you to find your ideal speed. Just because your machine can go really fast doesn't mean you should....
Local quilt shops probably have precut kits for simple lap quilts. That is a good way to get started ... they have precut the material (and there is usually a variety to choose from), they can offer support as you go, and you develop a new friendship!!
Quilting is not hard, but it can be tedious - so take breaks as needed, play some good music/movies, and stretch the neck and shoulder area on occassion!
Good luck and PIP when you can!
I'll second the bolded part. I also made the mistake of using denim for my first quilt. Super heavy and bulky, much more difficult to work with.
The Better Homes and Gardens Complete Guide to Quilting is a great place to start.