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FaveQuilts Talks: Jo and Kelli Kramer

June 23, 2014 by FaveQuilts

Jo and Kelli KramerJo and Kelli Kramer are longtime favorite designers on FaveQuilts. Their frequent updates with new, crystal-clear quilt tutorials and clear quilting expertise has led many of their tutorials to the top of FaveQuilts’ top clicked links. From beautiful full-bed quilts like the Oz’s Log Cabin Quilt Pattern to quiter lifesaver’s like the Easy Race Quilt Strip Calculator, Jo & Kelli are at the forefront of quilt blogging. We asked them to talk a little about their experience as quilters and bloggers and hope you’ll enjoy their answers as much as we do!

 

1. What first drew you two to quilting?

We are so fortunate. We have a line of quilters and seamstresses that came before us-mothers and grandmothers both. We were always drawn to it.

2. What do you think categorizes most of the quilts you two make? What types of patterns are you typically most attracted to?

This is a hard question because we like it all. We love to see the new trends but we like vintage and Civil War quilts too. I guess over all we could say that scrappy quilts are our favorites.

3. What advice do you have for quilters who are on the verge of (or nervous to) take the next step, from easy to intermediate/advanced quilting?

JO: Oh my, take the leap!! For years I was scared to death of curved seams and never thought I would try a double wedding ring quilt. I thought my piecing skills just weren’t up to it. Then I had two kids get married and both requested double wedding ring quilts. Surprisingly, they truly weren’t that hard to make!! In fact, I made two in nine months!

KELLI: There are still things that I am a bit afraid of, but I think that it is best to start small. You could make a couple of test blocks to see if the new technique you want to try out will be something that will work for you. If you decide that it’s not, you can always turn the few blocks that you tried into a table runner that will make a beautiful table runner!

4. When you set out to design a new pattern, what are your first steps?

For us, Jo typically starts with some quilt block she saw in a vintage quilt book or a quilt she saw at an antique shop. We also play the “what if” game asking ourselves “what if” we turned the block…”what if” we changed this portion to a different color. The “what ifs” continue until we have our quilt.

5. From where do you draw inspiration?

Everything is inspiration….color palettes, fabric lines, trends, vintage books and antique quilts. We design many more quilts that we make.

6. Do you make your patterns on a computer, by hand, or by some other method?&
Jo does most of the designing all via the computer. Kelli does some work with graph paper but most are from the computer.

7. What’s the greatest or most helpful “quilting secret” you’ve learned or created during your years of quilting? (For example, a trick to cutting half-square triangles, the key to mastering free-motion quilting, etc.)

KELLI: Right angle rulers and the companion angle rulers have helped save me time when cutting out a quilt—especially when Jo designs one that needs 2,592 half square triangles. I’ve also learned the importance of making sure that you are comfortable when sewing. I used to get really bad back aches because of the chair that I was sewing on, but with a quilt little change, it was fixed.

8. Do you have a favorite quilt that you’ve made? Or one that you’ve seen, that you wished you designed?

JO: I really don’t have a favorite. Typically it’s whatever quilt I just finished. I think I am most proud of the free form quilts I made with itty bitty fabric scraps that you can see here and Kelli’s wedding quilt.

KELLI: I think that my favorite quilt that I have ever made was this one—Odds and Ends in the June 2010 edition of American Patchwork and Quilting. It was the first 4 or so quilts that I made and looking back, it was quite an undertaking for my skill level at the time as the smallest inner pieces finished at only a half of an inch. I could definitely tell that my sewing skills had improved when I went back to finish it almost 2 years later!

9. What is your favorite part of the quilt-making process?

JO: I think I like the designing the best. I know my least favorite is cutting and pattern writing.

KELLI: I really like getting the fabrics in and getting a good look at our chosen fabrics. Because most of the quilts that we are currently making or have recently made are ones that mom has designed, it is also nice when I have cut out the quilt and finished the top and know that I didn’t mess up when figuring the yardage. My least favorite is putting on borders (unless they are pieced and can be pinned) and writing the patterns, however I know that mom hates writing the patterns more, so I can usually talk her into adding my borders for me if I write the pattern.

10. A newbie quilter approaches you in a café and says, “I don’t know if I really want to start quilting. Can you give me three reasons why I should?” What reasons do you give him or her?

1. Quilting is awesome therapy (and its cheaper too!).
2. It’s a way that I can feel connected to my family- in the connection that I share with my mom, as well as the connection that I never had the opportunity to share with my grandma.
3. It is an extremely satisfying feeling to finish something that you have made of yourself to keep in your home or give as a gift.

Easy-Cut Quilts with a Modern TwistDON’T FORGET! Win a copy of Easy Cut Quilts with a Modern Twist from Landaur Publishing! Easy-Cut Quilts with a Modern Twist asks not, “what design does this quilt use?” but, “how does this quilt’s design affect its overall aesthetic?” Each of the seven deceptively simple quilts in this book are distinct, beautiful and, most importantly, constructed from a wide variety of materials, from pre-cuts to scrap fabric.

Read the full review here.

The deadline to enter is July 1st at 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern Time.

What is YOUR favorite part of the quilt-making process?

Filed Under: Quilting Tagged With: FaveQuilts, Free Quilt Patterns, How to Make a Quilt, Quilt Designer, Quilting, quilting 101

FaveQuilts Talks: Christa Watson

June 12, 2014 by FaveQuilts

Christa WatsonChrista Watson is one of our most prolific quilt designers. She is one of our foremost experts, providing her readers with full-length quilt-alongs (like the How to Sew a String of Pearls Quilt quilt-along) and nitty-gritty quilt how-tos, like Basting a Quilt with Safety Pins and Making Your Own Design Wall. From beginner quilters to wizened experts, Christa’s blog is full of amazing tutorials to keep any quilter busy at his or her machine!

1. What first drew you to quilting?
I’ve always been drawn to arts and crafts and tried many mediums until I found one that stuck! About 20 years ago some ladies from church were tying quilts for charity and invited me to help. I was instantly hooked with the tactile nature of the quilts, and with all the colors and patterns in the fabrics they were using. It was love at first stitch!

2. What do you think categorizes most of the quilts you make? What types of patterns are you typically most attracted to?
For the first 18 years of my sewing career I was mainly a traditional quilter. However, I discovered modern quilting about 2 years ago and have totally switched my style because of it. That’s all I make now. I love bright, clear colors, clean lines and lots of negative space for machine quilting.

3. What advice do you have for quilters who are on the verge of (or nervous to) take the next step, from easy to intermediate/advanced quilting?
I would say to just take it one step at a time. I don’t think advanced quilting is hard per se. I just think it takes more time and patience. Whenever I am learning a new technique, I allow myself extra time to figure it out so I don’t get frustrated.

4. When you set out to design a new pattern, what are your first steps?
When I have new idea, I will sketch it out on the computer and manipulate the block design or quilt design to see the different layouts I can come up with. Once I settle on one I like, I take time to color it using fabric swatches downloaded from manufacturer’s websites. I will often save different color combinations of the same pattern and it’s amazing how different colors can change the overall look of a pattern.

5. From where do you draw inspiration?
From literally everywhere! Most of my newer work is very graphic in nature and I take a lot of pictures. When I’m out and about I will see lots of interesting shapes and combinations in nature and architecture. I capture them and think about how I can turn what I see into a quilt design. I also read a lot of quilting books and magazines to get in idea of what’s trending. If I see a particular motif being repeated a lot (like chevrons) I will come up with my own take on it.

6. Do you make your patterns on a computer, by hand, or by some other method?
I design everything on the computer, using Electric Quilt software. I love being able to change things up with the click of a button and save several different versions of my ideas. I write up directions using word processing software and then import my computerized sketches into the pattern. I take lots of pictures while I’m making the quilts so I will use those, too.

7. What’s the greatest or most helpful “quilting secret” you’ve learned or created during your years of quilting? (For example, a trick to cutting half-square triangles, the key to mastering free-motion quilting, etc.)
One of my personal mottos is, “It just takes doing.” What it means is that I believe you can accomplish anything you desire, whether it’s tackling a hard quilting design or deciding to design and publish patterns. The first step of taking action is usually the hardest, and it just gets easier from there! To go along with that, I believe practice makes progress when it comes to quilting.

8. Do you have a favorite quilt that you’ve made? Or one that you’ve seen, that you wished you designed?
One of my favorite quilts is my String of Pearls quilt that is listed on the FaveQuilts website. That’s one of my most modern both with the piecing and quilting, and it’s been very well received.

9. What is your favorite part of the quilt-making process?
By far, my favorite part of the process is quilting on my home machine (a Bernina). One of the reasons I enjoy making graphically simple quilt patterns is so that I can have fun with the machine quilting!

10. And now the big one! A newbie quilter approaches you in a café and says, “Christa, I don’t know if I really want to start quilting. Can you give me three reasons why I should?” What reasons do you give him or her?

  1.  Quilting is cheaper than therapy! And probably much more satisfying. If I’m having a bad day, putting in a few stitches on a current project really brightens my day and makes me feel like I can take on the world.
  2. Revel in the joy of the hand made. Quilting is something in my life that allows me to slow down and enjoy the process. Each step is like a new adventure and when a quilt is complete, there’s nothing quite like the joy and satisfaction of saying, “I did it myself.”
  3. It’s also very social and a great way to make friends. Whether you share with others online or in person, taking part in the quilting community is just as thrilling to me as the actual making. Plus, they say that doing creative things can help you live a longer, more satisfying life. How could I say no to that?

Cleaning Out the Closet Book GiveawayLike Christa’s Quilts? Then you’ll love the quilt patterns in these amazing free pattern books! FaveQuilts is cleaning out the closet so you can win a random assortment of incredible quilt patterns and technique tutorials from the FaveQuilts libary.

The deadline to enter is June 16, 2014 at 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern Time.

Enter today!

Do you have any other questions for Christa, or a question you’d like us to ask in our next FaveQuilts Talks installment?

Filed Under: Quilting Tagged With: FaveQuilts, Free Quilt Patterns, Quilt Designer, Quilt Patterns, quilting 101

Top 5 Quilting YouTubers

April 13, 2014 by FaveQuilts

We here at FaveQuilts are all about mixed media. We love printable patterns, books, eBooks, social media, and of course, YouTube. Video tutorials are such a great way to learn how to make a quilt. The visual component of a video tutorial makes every pattern just that much easier, since you can actually watch the process of sewing a quilt. But it can be a headache to sort through the huge number of posters on YouTube, since it’s a medium that anyone can create content for.

If you love video tutorials, but don’t love watching dozens of unhelpful videos, this is the blog roundup for you! We’ve gone through and found our favorite YouTube tutorial makers so that you don’t have to. Check out these awesome content creators for easy quilting tutorials that you’ll use again and again.

1. Interweave Craft

As the force behind Quilting Arts TV, you can be sure that Interweave always has top-notch content. Their picture quality is unparalleled and their video topics range from teaching you how to make a quilt using a specific pattern to insider tips and techniques that will improve your quilting across the board. They’re not to be missed!

Fat Quarter Shop2. Fat Quarter Shop

Fat Quarter Shop is known for its phenomenal quilt tutorial videos. These tutorials have everything you could ask for: great quality, clear instructions, and downloadable patterns to go along what what you see on screen. Each video also includes suggested fabrics and pre-cuts for purchase. Beyond quilt pattern tutorials, Fat Quarter Shop also has a host of instructional videos which teach you about the latest in quilting tools and technology, as well as giving you clever tricks to make your quilting as easy and painless as possible.

3. Marguerita McManus

There’s not enough praise in the world for the videos that Marguerita McManus puts out! These tutorials are so clear cut and easy to follow. A true expert in the quilting arts, McManus is full of secrets, shortcuts, and awesome step-by-steps. You won’t want to miss a single video!

Jo's Country Junction4. Jo’s Country Junction

We’ve got a whole bunch of Jo’s Country Junction tutorials over on FaveQuilts, but did you know that they have a while YouTube account, filled with great video tutorials? If you want awesome extras from the ladies at the Junction, be sure to go through their fabulous instructables for tips on everything from full quilts to dish towels.

 

5. FaveQuilts!

Not to toot our own horn or anything, but we think we’ve got a pretty great channel. We do our best to make sure there’s a great variety of content, from book trailers to quilt tutorials. Not only that, but we always aim to include videos that will teach you not just patterns, but skills, so that you can get better with every quilt you make. Come hang out with us!

 

 

 

Quilting Arts TV Series 400

Speaking of TV, our exciting new giveaway is a free DVD set of Quilting Arts TV Series 400! The deadline to enter is April 23rd at 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern Time.

Quilting Arts TV is, hands down, the premiere source of quilt programming. In the Series 400 DVD set, host Patricia “Pokey” Bolton talks every week with experts and designers to bring viewers the best in tips, tricks, and advice.

Read the full review here.

Do you prefer printable tutorials or video tutorials? Sound off below!

Filed Under: Quilting Tagged With: FaveQuilts, Quilt Designer, quilting 101, quilting techniques, quilting tutorials, Video tutorial

Interview with Quilting Arts TV’s Susan Brubaker Knapp

March 5, 2014 by FaveQuilts

Quilting Arts TV - Susan Brubaker Knapp photoCool news, quilters! FaveQuilts recently had the opportunity to correspond with Susan Brubaker Knapp, new anchor of Quilting Arts TV, to talk a little about her own quilting and her advice for all those home-quilters out there.  She was kind enough to answer YOUR questions, which we collected via our Facebook page and our newsletters. Many thanks to Susan and don’t forget to tune in to Quilting Arts TV!

Is investing in a fabric cutter (such as Accuquilt or Sizzix) economical, or should I just keep on cutting the traditional way?

I think it depends on how you work, and what kinds of quilts you want to make. If you make a lot of quilts with traditional shapes, then fabric cutting machines can save you a ton of time.

Is it okay to sew wider top & bottom borders (& keep side borders narrower) to lengthen a quilt?

Absolutely! Why not? Just make sure that the quilt still looks balanced, and that basic design principles have not been compromised just to lengthen it. The most interesting quilts are those where the quiltmaker has taken a basic design or pattern, and changed it in ways that makes it more uniquely hers.

My binding is always uneven–sometimes it looks great, and sometimes it looks terrible. Is there a trick to it that I’m missing? 

I had problems with my bindings when I first started quilting. My mother –who was a former home economics teacher and an excellent quilter – told me so! And I ignored her for a long time (after all, she was my mother). And then I started entering shows and I got marked down for my bindings. I crawled back to her, and asked her to teach me the right way.

My best advice is to find a video or a book by someone who really knows her stuff, and follow the directions exactly. I have several good quilting reference books on my shelf. If you learn better by watching, rather than by reading, you can see my technique in my new Quilting Arts Workshop (available as a DVD or download) called “Fabulous Finishes:  Seven Techniques for Binding, Facing, Framing, and Hanging a Quilt.” Or watch multiple videos by experts online, and experiment with them to determine what works best for you.

By the way, I think double, straight-grain bindings are the easiest to do and achieve great results.

Common binding mistakes:

  1. Cutting off too much, or too little, or cutting unevenly, when squaring up your quilt before binding. This leaves you with the wrong amount of fabric and batting to fill up the binding, so some places are wide and plump, and others are skinny and flat.
  2. Not sewing a uniform ¼” seam allowance when you sew the binding on.
  3. Not paying attention to your corners (or simply not knowing how to handle them) when you machine stitch the binding on, so that they are not square or full. Corners are what separate the newbies from the pros.
  4. Rushing through the step where you hand stitch the binding to the back of the quilt, or failing to align it uniformly (it should just cover the machine stitching line, so that the binding is the same width on the front as the back).
  5. Going too fast, or not caring enough to do it right, because you are desperate to be done!

What do you do with the blocks that just don’t turn out for some reason? Perhaps due to color combinations or you just don’t like the block. You spend a lot of time and money into the block, hate to just toss them in a land fill.

Hmmm…. Here are some ideas:

  1. Take them to a friend, or offer them up to someone at your guild.
  2. Put them into a sampler quilt with neutral sashings and borders. Donate it to a charity so that you will never have to see it again! Not nice enough for a child, vet, or the elderly? It would still make good pet bedding!
  3. Sew a bunch together, and then sandwich them with batting and backing and use them to practice machine quilting.
  4. Make them into potholders and donate them to your guild’s quilt show boutique. Or give them to someone as a birthday or holiday gift.

What marking method do you prefer?

I don’t mark very much (I am usually free-motion quilting and thread sketching), but when I do, I really like the mechanical pencils with ceramic leads by Bohin and Sewline.

What has been the most difficult quilt /quilt block you have done personally?

The two that have been the most challenging for me are probably Pickle Dish and Feathered Star.

Do you have any tips or trade secrets about how to master free motion quilting? 

First, relax. If you partake, have a beer or glass of wine. (Not too much; you don’t want to stitch through your fingers!) Put on music that makes you chill out (for me, it is classical. For some reason, music with words doesn’t work for me.) If you are tense, your quilting will be tight and jerky. Tell yourself that this is going to be fun, and liberating.

Start on a project that is not dear to you. Make a sandwich from solid fabric, batting and backing fabric; pin and use it to practice. Consider buying one of those panels – you know, the ones with teddy bears or flowers on it – and use it to practice quilting around the elements. Practice, practice, practice. Chances are, you won’t be good at free-motion quilting unless you practice MANY hours. Set a goal of doing five to ten minutes of free-motion stitching each day, and use this time to practice different motifs. I’m convinced that anyone can learn to be a great free-motion quilter; it just takes practice.

What are some of your quilt inspirations? Where do you get your ideas for your quilts?

Almost always my art quilts are based on my original photos. I take photos almost every day, where ever I am – even when I’m out walking my dog – and choose the best ones to convert into works of art made with fabric and thread. For my traditional (contemporary) quilts, my inspiration may come from a great fabric or fabric collection, or a color combination I’ve noticed in nature.

What is your design process?

For my art quilts, I start by taking a great photo and tracing the basic color areas in the photo onto tracing paper. I enlarge my drawing to create a pattern. I use this pattern as the basic template, and then create my pieces using either wholecloth painting (painting with acrylic textile paints on white fabric) or fusible applique (using fusible adhesive to fuse down the pieces). Then I heavily thread sketch (free motion stitching through the surface of the quilt and interfacing/stabilizer) before I machine quilt.

For my traditional/contemporary quilts, I often design using graphic design/illustration software (I use Adobe Illustrator), so that I can scale elements, and move blocks around on my computer before settling on a final design. If you don’t have this kind of software, you can often do the same thing with graph paper.

Are there any shortcuts to cutting and measuring triangles?

I can’t really speak to this, as I’ve always done it the traditional way.

Scrap quilts can be a little overwhelming–many quilters have huge scrap fabric bins and no idea of how to start using them. Any advice?

If you make a lot of scrap quilts, I highly recommend getting into the habit of cutting up fabric remnants (from other projects) into the shapes you use most often in your scrap quilts. Do this each time you find yourself with a remnant that it is not big enough to use for a new  project. This could be 2” strips, or 4” squares, for example. Then put them into zippered plastic bags or bins according to color or value. This way, they will be ready to go when you want to make your next scrap quilt.

Need new fabric?

Lily Ashbury High Street Jelly RollInspired by Susan’s advice and want to get started on a new project? We’re giving away a FREE jelly roll, the Lily Ashbury High Street Jelly Roll, courtesy of Moda Fabrics!

Moda Jelly Rolls are always a great investment, as the pre-cut fabric drastically cuts down on preparation time without sacrificing piecing accuracy. They are cut specifically to minimize fraying while you work, and are perfect for a wide variety of projects, from home decor to clothing.

The Lily Ashbury High Street Jelly Roll comes with 40 2.5X44-inch die cut fabric strips (including duplicates), so there is plenty of material for you to work with. Lily Ashbury has done an absolutely fabulous job of blending softer pastel shades with a bolder, almost neon spring palette. The fabric design has a sweet bohemian feel, very easygoing and light, which would be appropriate for any season.

Do you watch Quilting Arts TV?

Filed Under: Quilting Tagged With: FaveQuilts, How to Make a Quilt, how to sew a quilt binding, interview, quilting 101, quilting techniques

Baby Mine, Don’t You Cry: 20 Precious Baby Quilts

February 17, 2014 by FaveQuilts

Baby Quilt Patterns for Boys and GirlsEverybody loves making baby quilts. They’re the perfect gift for new parents: pretty, practical, and not too overwhelming for the quilter. Plus, baby quilts have the added bonus of being incredibly versatile in terms of style, difficulty level, size, and materials. You really can’t go wrong.

So whether you’re in the mood to make a full bed-size quilt or something small and snuggly, baby quilt patterns are the way to go. If you have any baby showers, birthdays, or announcements coming up, why not sew a baby quilt as a homemade gift idea? Anyone can buy a baby quilt from Target or Crate & Barrel. Make yours with a little love and see it last a lifetime!

 

free-baby-quilt-patterns20 Precious Baby Quilts

  1. One Color Scrappy Baby Quilt
  2. Priscilla’s Pink Pinwheel Quilt
  3. Borders Baby Rag Quilt
  4. Bullseye Baby Quilt
  5. Baby Bricks Quilt
  6. Baby Bear Paw
  7. Sixteen Patch Baby Quilt
  8. Peter’s Pinwheels Baby Quilt
  9. Simple Stripes Beginner Quilt
  10. Easy Flannel Baby Quilt
  11. Classic Pink Hourglass Quilt
  12. Pinwheel Pizzazz Baby Quilt
  13. Magical Flannel Rag Baby Quilt
  14. A Hundred Hugs Baby Quilt Tutorial
  15. Quick Triangles Baby Quilt
  16. Floating Squares Baby Quilt
  17. Tetris Baby Quilt
  18. Dresden Burst Baby Quilt
  19. Jungle Path Baby Quilt
  20. Butterflies a Flutter Baby Quilt

And don’t forget to download your copy of our FREE eBook, 14 Easy Baby Quilt Patterns for Boys & Girls! Plus, check out our Pinterest board that’s full of lovely baby quilt patterns!
Follow FaveQuilts’s board Baby Quilt Patterns on Pinterest.


 

This giveaway is now over.

Enter to Win!PLUS: Win the Leo the Lion Applique Cuddle Kit, the Sweet Dreams Boy Wee One Cuddle Kit, or the Scottie Girl Ziggy Cuddle Kit from Shannon Fabrics! These kits will help you make the warmest, coziest, cuddliest baby and young child blankets you can imagine. What’s more, they’re absolutely adorable. The Shannon Fabrics Cuddle Kits combine cute patterns and designs with comfort to keep whoever’s nestled in them happy and warm, no matter how cold winter gets!

Get a closer look at the prizes …

Leo the Lion Applique Cuddle Kit
Sweet Dreams Boy Wee One Cuddle Kit
Scottie Girl Ziggy Cuddle Kit

Filed Under: Quilting Tagged With: Baby Quilt Patterns, FaveQuilts, Free Quilt Patterns, giveaway, Mollyhall Seeley, Quilting, quilting 101

How to Make a Quilt: Trivia Edition

December 14, 2013 by FaveQuilts

Log Cabin Star Wall Hanging Quilt

Okay, quilters. The holiday season has started and we’re all beginning to plan out and piece together our Christmas quilts. But have you ever looked at a finished product and wondered where the techniques came from? Whether your mother, grandmother, or one of FaveQuilts‘ amazing YouTube tutorials taught you the difference between a quilt binding and a quilt border, you’re participating in a process that has been practiced and refined through centuries. Pretty cool, right?

Well, it’s time to put all that knowledge to the test! How much do you know about the art of quilting? Take our quiz, “How to Make a Quilt: Trivia Edition” to find out.

Q: In what country did archaeologists find the world’s oldest quilt?

Stars and Loops Pattern Tutorial A: Mongolia!

The oldest quilt in existence is currently housed at the Saint Petersburg Department of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The quilted linen carpet was discovered in a Mongolian cave. Other candidates for World’s Oldest Quilt are an Egyptian leather quilt discovered on a carved ivory statue (dating to about 980 B.C.) and the Tristan Quilt (1360-1400 C.A.) in Italy. The Tristan Quilt, like this Stars and Loops Pattern, is a free-form quilt pattern which uses artistic stitching as the primary design feature.

Sleeping on Squares QuiltQ: Should you wash your quilting fabric before you use it?

A: Yes!

It’s always a good idea to prewash your fabric before you begin to work with it, particularly if you’re working with cotton. This way you can be sure that you won’t find yourself facing any unpleasant surprises that might ruin your beautiful finished product, such as bleeding or uneven shrinking. If you want to be sure your quilts are going to come out as neat and tidy as this gorgeous Sleeping on Squares Quilt, be sure to give the fabric a run through the washer before you begin to quilt!

How to Add Scalloped Binding to Your QuiltQ: But wait! Prewashing fabric can lead to fraying. What’s the best way to prevent frayed edges?

A: Cut a little piece from the corners.

It’s true that prewashing can cause fabric to fray. But cutting a little piece from the corners can help prevent fraying. If you find that your quilt still looks a little rough around the edges, try adding a border or binding! This gives a quilt a professional, finished look like the Scalloped Binding that you see here.

Brick Pattern Fat Quarter Quilt

Q: True or False – Using fabric scraps for patchwork quilts comes from Colonial America.

A: False! 

Surprised? Not when you consider that while there were dressmakers and tailors in Colonial America, many women made their everyday clothes (and those of their husbands and children). Fabric at the time was costly, and scraps were more likely to be put to use than collect in a “stash.” Homemade quilts like this Brick Pattern Fat Quarter Quilt  were almost certainly deliberate projects which required fabric of their own to be purchased. It wasn’t until the 1850s, when the cost of fabric lowered drastically due to new commercial technology, that quilting began to become anything that resembled a “hobby.”

Fluffy Flannel Baby QuiltQ: Which is the best type of needle to use in hand quilting: sharps, milliners, crewels, or betweens?

A: Betweens.

Betweens are short and sharp, which make pushing through a quilt’s many layers much easier. They’re a bit tougher than some other needle options, which can help keep your hands from getting too sore! If you’ve never hand quilted before, the Fluffy Flannel Baby Quilt is the project to begin with. Go back to quilting’s roots by making this blanket the same way that your ancestors might have!

During the Crusades, women used to sew quilts as protective armor to be worn under their husbands’ and sons’ chain mail. You probably won’t need to pad anybody’s armor, but a cozy baby quilt will go a long way to fighting off the cold!

How’d you do? Tell us your score below!

Filed Under: Quilting Tagged With: FaveQuilts, Free Quilt Patterns, How to Make a Quilt, Mollyhall Seeley, Quilt Patterns, Quilting, quilting 101, quilting techniques

Colorful Quilts! Easy Quilt Patterns for Beginners

March 3, 2013 by AllFreeSewing

Quilting can sometimes seem like a daunting task. Not to worry; we’ve rounded up easy quilt patterns for beginners like you. The easy quilt patterns you’ll find here have been chosen specifically to help you learn how to make a quilt. Even if you have no experience quilting, our free quilt patterns will encourage you to give it a try. There is truly nothing as rewarding as taking on a new skill and mastering it.

The best thing about all of these easy quilt patterns for beginners, you’ll be led through each step from start to finish. And if you’re a fan of saving fabric scraps (who isn’t?), quilting is truly the craft for you! Gather up the remains of your favorite fabrics and take look at some of these easy quilt patterns for beginners. You’re sure to find a new, creative way to put those lovely fabrics on display.

Check out these easy quilt patterns for beginners and go from novice to pro!

bold-beach-blanket sewing-machine-cover starflower-block

 

 

 

 

AllFreeSewing Quilt Patterns:

Big & Bold Beach Blanket (shown above): Fat quarters make up this easy summer craft that shows you how to sew a blanket that’s big enough for the whole family.

Quilt Squares Sewing Machine Cover: The free quilt block pattern is easy to do in an evening, and you’ll have a sturdy new way to keep dust and dirt off of your sewing machine.

Starflower Block: The Starflower Block Tutorial will help you create several lovely blocks which can eventually become a beautiful quilt.
And for even more quilt patterns & ideas:

Pink Colors Quilt: If you love color in your home, let the Pink Colors Quilt Tutorial inspire you to create a lovely quilt for your living space. By combining all different shades of pink, this free quilt pattern makes a wonderful gift for any girl friend too!

13 New Free Quilt Patterns: A helpful roundup of even more free quilt patterns.

 

Other Great Quilting Resources:

The Quilting Board: About two years ago I stumbled upon an awesome quilting site I think you’ll really enjoy. It’s a gathering place for all kinds of quilting enthusiasts. Whether you’re looking for quit quilting tips, ideas or just a place to share your own stories, The Quilting Board is a wonderful place to visit.

FaveQuilts.com: OK, yes we’re technically related (FaveQuilts.com and AllFreeSewing.com are “sister” sites) but even if I just happened to meet FQ through a friend or something, I’d still have some nice things to say about it! They’re all quilts, all the time and when you’re searching for special quilt patterns, this is where you want to land.

 

What do you love (or hate) about quilting?

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Quilting Tagged With: fabric, Kirsten Kwon, Quilting, quilting 101, Sewing

Spring Fever: Early Bird Quilt Designs for Spring

January 3, 2013 by FaveQuilts

Early Bird Quilt Designs for Spring

I know what you’re thinking: spring? FaveQuilts, it’s January. We’re still huddled in our snuggies drinking hot chocolate. We know, we know. But flowers are going to start blooming before you know it. It’s never too early to bring a fresh breath of spring into your sewing room. We’ve gone through all our tutorials and picked out some of our favorite designs to get you ahead of the season. Let these beautiful floral and springtime patterns keep you smelling the roses while everyone else slogs through feet of snow!


Dining Room Decor

Pretty Pink Posy Table Topper

Springtime comes to the table before it shows up anywhere else. This Pretty Pink Posy Topper is so elegant and simple, but can completely change the feel of a room. Freshen up those flowers in their vase and bring a little bit of sunlight to mealtimes with these beautiful table toppers and kitchen accessories.

1. Spring Morning Mug Rug
2. Spring Table Topper
3. April Showers Mug Rug
4. Flower and Butterfly Mug Rug
5. Spring Chicks Table Runner
6. Spring Placemats
7. Blossom and Bloom Table Topper
8. Walking on Sunshine

Butterflies a Flutter Baby Quilt Pattern

Baby Quilts 

Spring babies are on the way! Welcome children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews with a beautiful baby quilt. Every new addition to the family ought to have their own little special blanket like this Butterflies a Flutter Baby Quilt Pattern that will keep them warm and cozy through long nights in the crib.

1. Applique Butterfly Garden
2. Shabby Spring Baby Rag Quilt
3. Easy Watercolor Quilt
4. Quilted Butterfly Bunting
5. Kite Applique Block

Flutterby Butterfly GardenThrows and Lap Quilts

Find the warmth of a beautiful spring day underneath these gorgeous throw blankets and lap quilts. Blankets like this Flutterby Butterfly Garden Quilt are such gorgeous blankets that will transform any couch, bedroom, or La-Z-Boy with their bright, cheerful colors.

1. Groves of Gardens Nine Patch Quilt
2. Springtime Diamond Lattice and Diamond Extra Quilts
3. Fields of Tulips Quilt
4. Funky Wonderland Quilt
5. Love Blossoms Again Quilt Block
6. Flutter and Flowers Springtime Quilt
7. Rainy Days Block Quilt
8. Garden Spikes

What are you most looking forward to about spring?

Filed Under: Quilting Tagged With: FaveQuilts, Free Quilt Patterns, Mollyhall Seeley, Patchwork Quilt, Quilting, quilting 101

National Sewing Month: Quilting 101

September 6, 2011 by FaveQuilts

Dear Readers,

It’s National Sewing Month! To celebrate, AllFreeSewing.com is hosting a special blog series throughout the entire month. Check back daily for posts featuring our favorite projects, new sewing videos and tutorials, guest blogs from talented designers and more. We’re also giving away a HUGE sewing prize at the end of the month. You won’t believe how EASY it is to WIN!

Leave a comment on any of the blog posts with the headline “National Sewing Month”. Your comment will count as an entry into the giveaway. You are free to comment as often as once per blog post (for a total of 30 chances to win!). At the end of the month, we’ll pool all of the comments together and pick one lucky winner to win the mystery grand prize. And trust us; you want to win this one!

Whether you’re already a sewing enthusiast or new to the craft, our hope is that this September will encourage you to create wonderful sewn projects.

Happy National Sewing Month!


Here’s today’s post:

When I first started quilting, I thought I knew what I was doing. I had been sewing since I was a little girl, and quilting didn’t seem much more complicated. For my very first quilt, I made a 5″ x 5″ cardboard template and painstakingly cut out each fabric square with a pair of scissors. When I was done piecing the squares together, I had a simple patchwork quilt top about the size of a baby quilt. Then, in accordance with the strict sewing rules I had learned as a girl, I put the right sides of the backing fabric and quilt top together, stitched around the perimeter, and turned it right side out. I don’t think there was actually any batting or even quilting involved in that first quilt. I had essentially made a large, empty, patchwork pillowcase.

My next quilt was a better attempt, but still only an attempt. I had read quite a bit more about quilting, and I knew the basics, but the ideas of cutting accurately, pressing seams in alternate directions, matching corners, and using a quilting foot completely escaped me. Recently I saw a doll quilt made by a nine-year-old child that was more sophisticated than that quilt.

So after much trial and error, I’m here to tell you that quilting is not complicated, but it is a skill set apart from general sewing. You can easily learn to quilt if you know the techniques and tricks quilters use to make their quilts look polished. Below, I have outlined how to make a quilt from start to finish with handy tutorials from FaveQuilts.com to guide you along the way:

1. Design The Quilt: You can either design a quilt pattern yourself or choose from the hundreds of quilt patterns we have available on FaveQuilts.com. Once you have an idea of pattern you would like to use, learn how to select fabrics that will coordinate well in the finished piecework. Then, prepare your fabrics for quilting depending on how the quilt will be used. Use this article to decide what you will need to do to prepare your fabrics before you begin.

2. Cut The Fabric: Although most people use scissors, pattern pieces, and measuring tapes when cutting out fabric for garments or other sewing projects, quilters prefer to use rotary cutters and quilting rulers. Although you can use scissors and cardboard templates for making quilts, most people find it easier to use a rotary cutter to quickly and accurately slice layers of fabric into geometric shapes. You should also buy a self-healing mat to protect your tables and other surfaces from the sharp blade of the rotary cutter. A quilting ruler is a large, heavily marked ruler that will make it easier for you to keep fabrics in place and make precise measurements. Check out the Basic Rotary Cutting Tutorial for a primer on this cutting method.

3. Piece The Fabric: There are oodles of ways to piece fabric shapes together into a pattern; that’s the beauty of piecework! But before you so much as sew one square to another, learn how to sew accurate 1/4 inch seams. Although the majority of sewing patterns call for 3/8-inch or 1/2-inch seams, most quilters sew a very precise or scant 1/4-inch seam throughout their work. If your seams are not accurate, your quilt top will develop pulls, puckers, and unevenness where the finished pieces are not the same size. In addition, you should learn to ignore the sewing rule that tells you to always press seams open. Sometimes pressing seams in an alternate directions will help you match up seams when sewing rows together. When you are ready to move on to other piecing techniques, check out our Piecing category on FaveQuilts.

4. Baste The Quilt: In my opinion, basting the quilt is one of the trickiest parts of quilting. Your sewing skills will not prepare you for scrambling around on the floor with a roll of duct tape, fervently smoothing out every last wrinkle and bubble in a quilt sandwich made from backing, batting, and quilt top. Learn how to baste quilts and try several different methods to see which works best for you. Quilting pins and spray starch are popular methods.

5. Quilt The Quilt: Quilting is what makes a quilt a quilt. Quilting refers to the stitching that sprawls across a quilt, connecting the backing, batting, and quilt top to make one thick blanket of fabric. Quilting can be decorative or utilitarian, hand-stitched or machine-stitched. Check here for tutorials on quilting by hand, including methods for hand tying quilts. You can also quilt with a sewing machine, but you will need to make several adaptations to your machine and practice a little before tackling a full-size quilt. Browse a few different tutorials on free motion quilting for more information. Once you’ve perfected your favorite method of quilting, watch our Patterns for Quilting category for decorative stitch patterns to spice up your quilting.

6. Bind The Quilt: Binding is a long, skinny piece of fabric that folds over the raw edges of a quilt, running completely around the perimeter. There are oodles of different ways to bind a quilt, whether by machine or by hand, with store-bought binding or handmade binding. Read several of our tutorials on binding a quilt to decide which method best fits the quilting you are working on. You might be happiest starting off with store-bought bias tape and machine stitching it along the perimeter of the quilt to familiarize yourself with binding before trying to make your own.

Once your quilt is bound, throw it in the wash (if you want the quilt to be soft and pliable) and swipe a lint roller over it to pick up loose threads and tufts of batting. You have finished your very first quilt! Throw it on your bed or hang it on your wall and be proud!

 

Filed Under: National Sewing Month Tagged With: beginner, Jessica Nichols, National Sewing Month, Quilting, quilting 101, Sewing

Simpli-EZ Double Wedding Ring Giveaway

February 18, 2011 by FaveCrafts

This clear acrylic tool set makes cutting the pieces for a Double Wedding Ring Quilt easier on your hands, your eyes, and your patience. Part of a line of cutting tools, this set was designed by Darlene Zimmerman.

We’re giving one away to a lucky winner!

Learn more and enter for a chance to win!

Contest ends March 4, 2011.

Filed Under: Product Reviews Tagged With: Quilting, quilting 101

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