Quilting

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[Yvonne]

Hey!

I like to quilt, but am very much a beginner. A friend and I are going to make a sampler quilt. Now I have to figure out if I'm going to stick to all the fat quarters I have or buy new fabric accoring to the fabric requirements. So does anybody else like to quilt or have any ideas!
I think I should buy the new fabric!!!

[Racoon]

Thats Cool!

I always admire a good quilt.
Its a productive hobby...

right on Yvonne! 

[Tormod]

Beginner...right. I tell you she is better at quilting than I am at building forums.

[Cedars]

I dont quilt myself but I know people who do.

do not spend the money on new fabric for the design.  Go to thrift stores and goodwills and rummage sales to get that material.  It is much more cost effective, and if you decide not to go on, you havent invested as much money.  You can re-donate the clothing/other materials if you havent cut them up.

[Turtle]

I have only made one baby quilt & it wasn't patchwork; so maybe just a blanket then.
Anyway, I own a sewing machine but I have it out on loan because someone likes the cabinet it's in for a table. I want to make at least one quilt using squares or triangle arranged according to math patterns, but...I can't sew a straight line to save my seam! Maybe for short distances, but not long distances.
 I watch the quilting shows on TV & they make it look easy when in reality these women (I never saw a guy on these shows yet) these women have a high level of skill.
 Put me down for thinking about making a quilt...again.

[Yvonne]

I bought a foot with a "ruler" so I just push the fabric close to the ruler and the rest does it self. Or you can put tape on your sewing machine on top of each other and it'll guide your fabric.

I love buying new fabric, and I normally order it from the states, it's at least half or a third of the price here. Once the top is finished (with imported fabric) I go to my local quilt store to buy the border and backing fabric. That way I support my local shop and get great help and save tons of money.

I'm not really into using other fabric, but I know lot's of people make wonderful quilts "the old way".

[Turtle]

I bought a foot with a "ruler" so I just push the fabric close to the ruler and the rest does it self. Or you can put tape on your sewing machine on top of each other and it'll guide your fabric.

I love buying new fabric, and I normally order it from the states, it's at least half or a third of the price here. Once the top is finished (with imported fabric) I go to my local quilt store to buy the border and backing fabric. That way I support my local shop and get great help and save tons of money.

I'm not really into using other fabric, but I know lot's of people make wonderful quilts "the old way".

Ooooo! Layers of tape so it's thick!? Like a fence on a table saw. I tried the tape & my machine has marks on the insert plate, but my eye hand thingy made for a squiggly line.
 You have given me a super idea Yvonne; I may ask for my machine back soon.
 I will buy new cloth too & I already have a small wheel cutter & mat. Since I only have to make one shape (squares or triangles) I can make a template & cut them all exactly the same & then sew them against the tape 'fence'.
 A new obsession to compulsively pursue!?

[Yvonne]

I just bought another quilting book - but I know this is the right one, wonderful instructions, and it has all the short cuts iow - the easy way of doing things. Other books I have just show one easy technique or is just plain "old-fashioned".

Try out "The Encycolpedia of quilting & patchwork techiniques - a comprehensive visual guide to traditional and contemporary techniques" by Katherine Guerrier. It's orginally from 1994, my edition is from 2005 so the price should be reasonable.

Post some pictures of what you make - or something in progress... can't wait!

[Racoon]

Celeste is also quite a Quilter and Seamstress. 

She's only posted once in PostMagnet ;
So maybe we could solicit her input here from over in Hypography! 

I can sew on a button. 
My Mom bought a brand new White brand Model 2235 
Its a pretty nice sewing machine I guess. ? maybe I can convince her to let me use it!
I can use some of Grandmas old fabric...

What kinds of Sewing machines do people use?
Any preferences?

[Racoon]

Theres a LOT to sewing and quilting!   

Top stitching, Overlock stitch, Shell stitch, Feather stitch, Bead stitch, Rick rack stitch,   

Darning, Shell tucks, Basting, Stippling, Overcasting, Blind hems   

Eeek! how long does it take to learn?

[Yvonne]

Hey!

I use a Husqvarna Viking machine - and am very happy with that - don't think I've tried all the features yet! My motto is "just try" - not much can go wrong. I have a problem with patterns. Most of the time I want to make my own pattern or radically alter a pattern. That creates some interesting problems that I would have avoided if followed (or in some instances read the  entire instruction) a pattern - but then again - a lot of knowledge would be lost - and it wouldn't be half the fun.

Jenny (5 years) has already started to get her own fabric - and is on her way with her first project (with some help from mom).

Yvonne (just let it happen)

[Turtle]

Jenny (5 years) has already started to get her own fabric - and is on her way with her first project (with some help from mom).

Yvonne (just let it happen)

What is a usual fabric type?  I am going to at least get my machine home this coming week, but no promises yet. I will need fabric of solid vivid colors, probably 6 to 12 different colors.
 What needle size to go with the fabric (should I just ask all this at the fabric store?)...
No hurry; this could take a while.  I'm a turtle after all.

[Yvonne]

What fabric? If you can afford it, go to a quiltshop and buy good quality cotton fabric. And wash before use. This will give a good and predictable result. The washing is to save you from a lot of chemicals in the dyes and in case it should "bleed" or shrink.

It you happen to choose fabric that you already own or from used fabric, try to keep the type and quality similar.

Or.... try experimenting .. do post pictures of your progress. I'm currently handpiecing a block. It's actually quite ok since I can watch a movie or talk to people while doing it.

Yvonne

[Turtle]

What fabric? If you can afford it, go to a quiltshop and buy good quality cotton fabric. And wash before use. This will give a good and predictable result. The washing is to save you from a lot of chemicals in the dyes and in case it should "bleed" or shrink.

It you happen to choose fabric that you already own or from used fabric, try to keep the type and quality similar.

Or.... try experimenting .. do post pictures of your progress. I'm currently handpiecing a block. It's actually quite ok since I can watch a movie or talk to people while doing it.

Yvonne

Oh thank you!  Cotton---wash first---Roger Wilco
I don't have any fabric on hand suitable for my design. I do have some camo which I made a beret from & forgot all about it 'till it tumbled out of a stuff-sack the other day.
 No machine yet, but the plan is still on to get it ASAP. Will have photos as I go.

[Turtle]

No machine yet, but the plan is still on to get it ASAP. Will have photos as I go.

I think I will have my sewing machine back within a week. It has been sitting in a vacant house apparently and I am worried if the box of attachments got lost. I will post up the model & all when I get it back home.

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