Quilting

[Walter]

When I was in elementary school a woman gave a presentation about quilting to my class. She had a bunch of quilts on hand and did a little speech and it was really interesting and ever since then I've always wanted to make a quilt!

Well, I have no intentions on starting a new project yet (as I'm still working on my table) but I was shopping in a thrift store yesterday and saw a bunch of old jackets and I really just wanted to buy a bunch of them and make them into a quilt!

The feeling is strong in me. I'm thinking that sometime in the next 6 months I might buy a sewing machine and start a new project...

Picture of old inspiring jackets (http://www.mwparenteau.net/LJpics/2005/04/08/IMG_5535.jpg)

[renaissancesun]

http://www.veggieboards.com/boards/showthread.php?t=32889&highlight=quilting

I'm seeing a whole lot of polyester. :p

The colors and patterns are cool though. They are pretty inspiring. :)

[Walter]

I'm ready to start my polyester project now. :D

I'm searching for ideas for patterns and this link (http://www.freepatternsonline.com/quiltpatterns2.htm) is a good example of the patterns I keep coming across. I want my quilt to be made of three or four inch squares, not one foot wide panels of repetition. Whenever I search for "quilt patterns" I keep coming up with those repeating blocks--how do I search for patterns for an entire quilt? Is there a term I don't know?

[Elena99]

Edit: You could search for "How to make a quilt"

That sounds like what I did, for my memory quilt.

I'm not sure what sort of pattern you'd find, but I can give basic instructions:

- Measure how much you need based on your batting, and plan how many squares of how many materials you'll cut. I like drawing out the design in The Gimp, so I can plan colours.

- Cut out pieces giving 1-2cm extra on each side of the square, for seam allowance. Pile them based on where they are in each row, and mark them with tape or a safety pin.

- Two sew two pieces together, put them front to front, then sew along one side 1-2cm from the edge (depending on the allowance).

- Sew all the squares in a row. Then sew the next, then the next, etc.

- Sew all the rows together.

- Cut your bottom part (linen is good, like broadcloth), or if you want it reversible, repeat all the steps above. Sew this to the front with the good sides facing each other on three sides only.

- Put the batting on top, and then pull the quilt inside out, so that your good sides are now facing the outside. This can be a little hard to do.

- Sew the last end together.

- It's helpful to take pieces of yarn, sew it through the quilt from one side to the other in "corners" where squares meet, for every other square and tying it off with a knot. This keeps the batting in place.

Okay, I hope that was helpful. :)

[Tiggzie]

I am DYING to start quilting. I just need a sewing machine (can't afford one now) and then I'll be good to go. I've sewed large things by hand but I really don't want a quilt that will take 5 years to make :lol:

[borealis]

I've started quilts but I haven't finished one yet. The best one I've started is a log cabin pattern. Log cabins are fun and easy, and if you like a random look you don't have to measure the strips -- you can just cut them approximately and sew at will. :)

Here's an example: http://www2b.biglobe.ne.jp/~quilt/goke%20gallery%20log%20cabin.html

[Walter]

http://www2b.biglobe.ne.jp/~quilt/welcome%20to%20my%20dream.html

Oh man. That's the best quilt I've ever seen. That's definitely much more up my alley than repeating squares of a certain pattern.

I still just want to do 3 or 4 inch squares, but those will give me some ideas.

Elena, or anyone else--what are alternatives to batting? Part of the reason why I like quilting is because one doesn't need to use new materials. At some point in history, there was obviously no craft store for batting, so what did they use? I plan on getting all of my material at the Goodwill "As Is" store in San Francisco (all clothes are $2) and I was thinking of cutting up t-shirts and sewing them together to make a middle section, but perhaps there is a better idea.

[Tiggzie]

Wow, that quilt is awesome!!

I could be wrong but one time my grandma made a quilt that seemed like basically a permanent duvet cover: she used a thin comforter as the middle piece. Dunno if that would work for you.

[Walter]

I could be wrong but one time my grandma made a quilt that seemed like basically a permanent duvet cover: she used a thin comforter as the middle piece. Dunno if that would work for you.
Hmmmm... I suppose I could just sew my current comforter inside my quilt. :think:

[Elena99]

The issue with batting alternates is that you need to make sure you won't get lumps, so it won't shift around. If you have an old blanket, that would work, or you could get one second hand and run it through the washer/dryer a few times to really soften it up.

[Fallen]

I had a teacher who did quilting. I think it's interesting, but I don't think I could handle it. I'm bad at sewing and so on.

[Walter]

My roommate has the best tools available! I'm so grateful because I didn't even know these things existed. I cut up a jacket last night using scissors and tonight he saw me doing that and brought out this large cutting board and circular razor blade, and damn, that razor blade was amazing.

I cut up two skirts and a pair of pants in the time it took me to cut up one jacket last night.

[borealis]

Yeah, those circular blades are awesome!

I should get my quilt back out and start working on it again. :) Or start a new one... I have an idea for another one that I think I will actually like better, using all these different shades of blue fabric in my cloth stash.

[borealis]

The issue with batting alternates is that you need to make sure you won't get lumps, so it won't shift around. If you have an old blanket, that would work, or you could get one second hand and run it through the washer/dryer a few times to really soften it up.

One thing that helps with lumps is to keep your quilting lines close together. That gives the batting less room to move around.