Quilting?

Mrs. Mo · March 2011

Does anyone make quilts?

I have not found any nursery decor/bedding sets that I am really fond of so I was thinking of making the stuff myself. Since I'm not fond of crib bumbers, anyways, I am thinking of just making a quilt, crib skirt & curtains (to start). The curtains & skirt seem easy enough but I have never quilted before.

What are the basic supplies needed to make a quilt? Do you sew it by hand or do you use your sewing machine? I am thinking of just doing something really simple. Are there any good web-sites that show the basic steps?

YouandMe912 · March 2011

I am not a quilter so I have no advice on that aspect but I did the same as you. My MIL made the quilt and I just purchased plain ivory crib skirt and bumpers (which I won't be using in the beginning). There are pics of the quilt in my bio/blog and if you like the pattern, I can send it to you. She said its a very easy quilt. I have a pink and a blue :-)

Mrs. Mo · March 2011

tgoff248:
I am not a quilter so I have no advice on that aspect but I did the same as you. My MIL made the quilt and I just purchased plain ivory crib skirt and bumpers (which I won't be using in the beginning). There are pics of the quilt in my bio/blog and if you like the pattern, I can send it to you. She said its a very easy quilt. I have a pink and a blue :-)

That is a beautiful quilt !!!! I'll PM you my email address, if you don't mind sending me the pattern.

YouandMe912 · March 2011

Np I just have to get the pattern from my MIL so I should be able to send it to you tomorrow or Friday :-)

michelle142 · March 2011

I quilt. I use a sewing machine.

Basic supplies would vary depending on your pattern. The usuals include a machine, thread, scissors... etc.

If you google 'baby quilt pattern' or 'free quilt patterns', you will find TONS of options.

michelle142 · March 2011

The easiest pattern would probably be a block pattern. I made a 12 block quilt last year. Very easy. It's in my blog somewhere.

ETA: my next quilting project will be one of these: http://www.honeybearlane.com/2010/01/get-your-puffed-stuff.html

Mrs. Mo · March 2011

michelle142:

The easiest pattern would probably be a block pattern. I made a 12 block quilt last year. Very easy. It's in my blog somewhere.

ETA: my next quilting project will be one of these: http://www.honeybearlane.com/2010/01/get-your-puffed-stuff.html

I was definitely thinking of starting with this type. The triangle one's just plain scare me !

maryandkirk0909 · March 2011

I quilt!

I quilt by machine, and I really love doing it. A rough overview of what you need:

Fabric (for front of quilt ie: patchwork; for back of quilt, usually a solid or a solid with some patchwork detailing; for binding)

Batting (the stuff inside the quilt that makes it warm)

Thread (a solid color for piecing- I generally use off white; and thread for the actual quilting- a color that matches your fabric- also, be sure that these are the same kind of material as your quilt, like cotton, poly blend, etc.)

Fabric scissors or a rotary cutter (you'll need a self healing mat if you use a rotary cutter)

A ruler (a clear one really helps)

Straight pins (to hold things in place, I use the flat disc topped ones because they're easiest to quilt over)

Giant safety pins (to hold the layers of the quilt together while you sew)

An iron (for opening seams, making everything straight)

I pick fabrics I like then look for a pattern generally- but here are some of the baby quilt patterns I've used:

http://www.sewmamasew.com/store/media/blog/SMSCharmSquaresBabyQuilt.pdf

http://www.modabakeshop.com/2009/02/stacked-coins-baby-quilt.html

http://www.modabakeshop.com/2009/03/pinwheel-baby-quilt.html

http://www.modabakeshop.com/2010/07/his-hers-personalized-baby-quilts.html (I did this one without the names)

I also did a basic 4 patch pattern for my nephew's quilt (there are pics in my fb album- DC Living Year 2)

That being said, do you sew? If not, you may be able to buy fabric and ask someone to do it for you if you find a pattern you like. Depending on when you need it done, I would be more than happy to if you want to send me the stuff (I'm up to my elbows in a 9 patch right now, but it'll be done in May).

Mrs. Mo · March 2011

maryandkirk0909:

I quilt!

I quilt by machine, and I really love doing it. A rough overview of what you need:

Fabric (for front of quilt ie: patchwork; for back of quilt, usually a solid or a solid with some patchwork detailing; for binding)

Batting (the stuff inside the quilt that makes it warm)

Thread (a solid color for piecing- I generally use off white; and thread for the actual quilting- a color that matches your fabric- also, be sure that these are the same kind of material as your quilt, like cotton, poly blend, etc.)

Fabric scissors or a rotary cutter (you'll need a self healing mat if you use a rotary cutter)

A ruler (a clear one really helps)

Straight pins (to hold things in place, I use the flat disc topped ones because they're easiest to quilt over)

Giant safety pins (to hold the layers of the quilt together while you sew)

An iron (for opening seams, making everything straight)

I pick fabrics I like then look for a pattern generally- but here are some of the baby quilt patterns I've used:

http://www.sewmamasew.com/store/media/blog/SMSCharmSquaresBabyQuilt.pdf

http://www.modabakeshop.com/2009/02/stacked-coins-baby-quilt.html

http://www.modabakeshop.com/2009/03/pinwheel-baby-quilt.html

http://www.modabakeshop.com/2010/07/his-hers-personalized-baby-quilts.html (I did this one without the names)

I also did a basic 4 patch pattern for my nephew's quilt (there are pics in my fb album- DC Living Year 2)

That being said, do you sew? If not, you may be able to buy fabric and ask someone to do it for you if you find a pattern you like. Depending on when you need it done, I would be more than happy to if you want to send me the stuff (I'm up to my elbows in a 9 patch right now, but it'll be done in May).

Wow, thanks for the info !

Most of the sewing I do is by hand but I do pull out my machine on occasion. I imagine it's easier to use the machine when working with something like this.

Totally stupid question: Do you put together the entire front and then sew the other 2 layers to it or do you sew all 3 layers at the same time for each square/section? If you wait until the end, how do you ensure thet the edges look nice? I haven't sewn any blankets but with pillows I would just sew the seams inside out and then flip it. I'd imagine flipping the quilt back could be difficult.

maryandkirk0909 · March 2011

Mrs. Mo:
Totally stupid question: Do you put together the entire front and then sew the other 2 layers to it or do you sew all 3 layers at the same time for each square/section? If you wait until the end, how do you ensure thet the edges look nice? I haven't sewn any blankets but with pillows I would just sew the seams inside out and then flip it. I'd imagine flipping the quilt back could be difficult.

You put together the entire front, then you cut the batting and the backing so that you have a little bit (1.5-2") on each edge of the "pieced" front.

Then you pin the whole "quilt sandwich" together (front, batting backing) using the safety pins, exactly how the quilt will look when you're finished (so, printed side of the backing against the floor, batting on top of that, then the patchwork front, pattern side up).

From there you actually do the quilting- the easiest thing to do with this is "stitch in the ditch" and sew along all of the seams of your patchwork front. You can also do "stippling" quilting with tight swirls that go all over, or any quilting type you like. For this part, you can also send the blanket away to a long arm quilter if you want something really fancy.

There are also lots of quilters on the craft board, so you may be able to ask questions there if there's anything I can't answer.

Mrs. Mo · March 2011

maryandkirk0909:
Mrs. Mo:

Totally stupid question: Do you put together the entire front and then sew the other 2 layers to it or do you sew all 3 layers at the same time for each square/section? If you wait until the end, how do you ensure thet the edges look nice? I haven't sewn any blankets but with pillows I would just sew the seams inside out and then flip it. I'd imagine flipping the quilt back could be difficult.

You put together the entire front, then you cut the batting and the backing so that you have a little bit (1.5-2") on each edge of the "pieced" front.

Then you pin the whole "quilt sandwich" together (front, batting backing) using the safety pins, exactly how the quilt will look when you're finished (so, printed side of the backing against the floor, batting on top of that, then the patchwork front, pattern side up).

From there you actually do the quilting- the easiest thing to do with this is "stitch in the ditch" and sew along all of the seams of your patchwork front. You can also do "stippling" quilting with tight swirls that go all over, or any quilting type you like. For this part, you can also send the blanket away to a long arm quilter if you want something really fancy.

There are also lots of quilters on the craft board, so you may be able to ask questions there if there's anything I can't answer.

Great, thanks ! My goal is to make it myself so I'll probably watch a bunch of YouTube videos on it.

wamozart12 · March 2011

Mary gave you all the information, but I want to add, you can also make a tied quilt. There you don't sew to quilt, you just put embroidery floss or something heavier like that spaced out and tie knots, which is much, much faster than quilting. It's not as pretty, though.

If you want something really easy, there are baby quilt-sized printed fabric panels around that you don't have to sew, but they still look cute. That might be something to think about if you want more quilts and don't have time to sew another entire front. When I start working on baby bedding, I'll probably have a mix of pieced quilts and panel quilts.

Mrs. Mo · March 2011

wamozart12:

Mary gave you all the information, but I want to add, you can also make a tied quilt. There you don't sew to quilt, you just put embroidery floss or something heavier like that spaced out and tie knots, which is much, much faster than quilting. It's not as pretty, though.

If you want something really easy, there are baby quilt-sized printed fabric panels around that you don't have to sew, but they still look cute. That might be something to think about if you want more quilts and don't have time to sew another entire front. When I start working on baby bedding, I'll probably have a mix of pieced quilts and panel quilts.

I think I've seen the tied one's before and you are right, they don't look as nice. I also wonder how they hold up over time? I still have the 1st blanket that was made for me and am hoping that the one I make will be around for years so my kid can keep it as well.

YouandMe912 · March 2011

Mrs. Mo:
wamozart12:

Mary gave you all the information, but I want to add, you can also make a tied quilt. There you don't sew to quilt, you just put embroidery floss or something heavier like that spaced out and tie knots, which is much, much faster than quilting. It's not as pretty, though.

If you want something really easy, there are baby quilt-sized printed fabric panels around that you don't have to sew, but they still look cute. That might be something to think about if you want more quilts and don't have time to sew another entire front. When I start working on baby bedding, I'll probably have a mix of pieced quilts and panel quilts.

I think I've seen the tied one's before and you are right, they don't look as nice. I also wonder how they hold up over time? I still have the 1st blanket that was made for me and am hoping that the one I make will be around for years so my kid can keep it as well.

That's so sweet. We have the quilt Kevin's mom made for him too and I love it. She said it was the first quilt she did all by herself.

wamozart12 · March 2011

Mrs. Mo:
I think I've seen the tied one's before and you are right, they don't look as nice. I also wonder how they hold up over time? I still have the 1st blanket that was made for me and am hoping that the one I make will be around for years so my kid can keep it as well.

I've had the tied quilt I made in 1996 on my bed since 1998, and it's held up fine. I think making a tied quilt would be an easier first start, since you'd focus only on the piecing. Then once you get that down, you can make a second quilt that's actually quilted. That's how I started out, my 3rd quilt was the first one I quilted.

Quilting?

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