Online Creative Community Feed

Re: first time quilting

Tarmarq — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 20:41:34 GMT

You can find free patterns at www.quilters-world.com. To get the free patterns you have to get their newsletter. I have downloaded lots of beginners patterns there for: placemats, baby quilts, wall quilts, regular quilts among other quilt projects. If you don't want to join their email list, I'm willing to share the patterns that I have downloaded if anyone is interested.

Clara

Re: first time quilting

RenMom — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 16:55:38 GMT

I always prewash my fabrics - this will eliminate or at least identify a problem with color bleeding. Then I press the fabric. I agree that pressing your seams will make a big impact on your finished project, and make it easier to work with all along.

I would suggest using a pattern with larger blocks (squares or rectangles) or strips for your first few projects. That way you will learn the procedures and how to achieve accuracy before moving on to other options like curves and triangles.

I wish you well! Have fun! And give yourself permission to make mistakes.

Re: first time quilting

Summer — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 23:57:10 GMT

I am a beginner quilters as well. The more intricute quilts are not my taste, but I love nice fluffy quilts (like for bedding). I made my first quilt for my son's bedding while on bedrest - by hand. Wow - VERY time consuming. It took me 5 months to make a crib quilt, bumpers, diaper hanger. I have a hard time following patterns (although I am teaching myself now), so I did it all free hand with measuring.

Until last year I didn't make any more, but have since bought a sewing machine and started making quilts as baby gifts and gift for my clients (I am a birth doula). I follow a simple 5 or 6 inch square pattern and so far everyone loves them. I used different types of fabrics in each quilt because babies LOVE textures.

Re: first time quilting

zoeandemerysmomma — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 03:56:52 GMT

WOW! haha I am also starting out to quilt and this one thread has been so helpful :]

Re: first time quilting

DETIME — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 00:02:29 GMT

Hi Tracy.

I just started quilting a few months ago also and took a class. We have lots to learn. All the advice is sound and good above. One of the things that helped me was the teachers had us to buy a sewing foot that has the 1/4" guide on it. That helped me a lot in the sew area. I had a hard time with out it.

I finished my first lap quilt, fall leafs, last week. It has a lot of little mistakes that I see but no one else dose. Good Luck, Enjoy and Learn!

Re: first time quilting

Martha — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:13:42 GMT

You can use an inkjet printer to print photos on pretreated fabric. Lots of people like to use Bubble Jet Set to treat their own fabric since this is less expensive than buying pretreated sheets. To do this you soak the fabric in the product, let it air dry, then iron it to freezer paper and cut to sheets that fit into your printer. After printing you let the sheets dry 30 minutes (some folks say it is better to wait till the next day) then wash with a mild detergent to get rid of any dye that hasn't become permanent. The manufactuurer recommends using their in Bubble Jet Rinse for that step. Here's a link to the site of the manufacturer http://www.cjenkinscompany.com/ When I used this I bought mine from Jo-Ann.com but don't see it in their current online catalog.

Another possibility is to use pretreated, printer ready sheets with paper backing attached. I have used and liked the Printed Treasures ones. Far as I know they come only in white. The high thread count fabric gives a distinct image but does have a firmer hand than most quiting fabrics. I've used them for quilt labels and found the printing and designs to hold up well to washing. They are more expensive to use, something to consider especially if you will be using a lot but I've not had a problem with the edges getting caught in the printer as sometimes happens with the fabric ironed onto freezer paper. Here's a link to it in the Jo-Ann catalog. I see the reviews look good. http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/productdetail.jsp?pageName=search&flag=true&PRODID=prd29322

One other possibility is using the iron-on transfers but they tend to be stiff and not hold up well to washing from what I have heard/read.

Just a suggestion - why not start a separate thread with "photo transfer" in the title. People who have made this kind of quilt might be more likely to see and respond to your questions that way. :)

Re: first time quilting

jhyatt — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:16:41 GMT

I would like to make a photo quilt for my grown children. Can anyone give some advice on resources and instructions for this? I use a computer and have been sewing for many years.

Thanks,

Jhyatt

Re: first time quilting

Sharon — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 21:37:54 GMT

Hi Tracy, I also am a beginning quilter. My church group makes comfort quilts for th sick. There are many free patterns if you do a search for "charity quilts", "lap quilts", or baby quilts. The basic qults are 25 9" squares of coordinating fabrics. We use fleece for the back, and tie them together with embroydery floss. These are very basic and great for beginners. Sometimes words can be added for more interest.

If you have a hard time sewing straight and do not have a sewing guide, place a stack of post-it-notes close to the sewing foot and run the fabric against the notes. It made a huge improvement for me. Good luck.

Re: first time quilting

nanite — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 02:52:29 GMT

Hi all, it's nice to have a forum that I can get tips and advice from.

My name is Nancy, it seems really friendly here.

I come from a long line of quilters and craftsmen/women.

My Autnt Howleen, showed me the extensive collection of her quilts and showed me this huge bed size frame which she uses to stretch out her finished quilt and the device pulls up to the ceiling when she's not stitching it.

This has really showed me how fun it can be. I am only on my third quilt so I'm no expert in fact, I still call myself a beginner.

My advice to anyone out there as long as you're doing it for fun it will be fun and also most importantly know that this is not brain surgery.

Re: first time quilting

Thimbles and Threads — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:44:29 GMT

Quilting is a wonderful hobby, but takes time a precision. Start small, but large enough to get the feel for what a large quilt would be like (wallhanging or baby quilt), and use a pattern that is made of mostly squares. The more angles, the more precision is required. Cut carefully and sew with consistant seam width. And iron is an important tool too. Pressed seams can help you be more accurate. Also, if you make individual blocks that are joined together with strips, take time to trim up the blocks to a consistant size before sewing the whole quilt togther. Just helps keep everything accurate.

Re: first time quilting

SimplyGeometric — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:06:08 GMT

I am new to quilting, too...and learned over the summer by taking a class using a log cabin pattern by eleanor burns. It was a great way to learn some really basic techniques that you can apply to a variety of quilts, and her books are really designed with the beginner in mind - they have great instructions! Good luck! I'm totally hooked now :)

Re: first time quilting

quiltinmom — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 03:18:12 GMT

A simple square pattern (such as checkerboard) would be a good "starter" quilt. There are so many quilt patterns out there, sometimes deciding which to use is the hardest part! lol

One website I like for quilt pattern ideas is www.quilterscache.com. It lists the blocks alphabetically, by size, and indicates the difficulty of the pattern as well. It also gives instruction about other parts of quilting, besides making the blocks. The woman who runs the website (although she's pretty busy!) will often email you back if you have questions. Some of the blocks are traditional blocks, some are her original designs. There are probalby over a thousand blocks on the site...so you'll never run out of ideas there!

Hope this helps, and good luck quilting! (beware--it can be addicting!)

Re: first time quilting

Martha — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 21:01:18 GMT

Hi Rosalie.. :) I just wanted to say that you may be able to wash your tree skirt without ruining it. There is a detergent called Synthrapol that can be used to keep loose dye molecules (the ones that cause running or bleeding) suspended in wash water so they are not redeposited on fabrics where they are not wanted. It is generally used by dyers but can be found in quilt shops as well. It is used as an only detergent, not added to any other detergent in your washer and works best in hot water.

Re: first time quilting

rosalie — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 17:25:36 GMT

Hi Tracy, I assume you know that quilting can be a very time consuming endeavor. However, starting with a small project is an excellent idea. Be sure you know and understand what "quilting" means and all that it entails. Somethings I found out the hard way are: your seams have to be consistently the same width AT ALL TIMES or your finished project will be lopsided and impossible to correct without a lot more work. Secondly, if you are going to use whatever your project is on a daily basis, make sure your material is color fast. My first quillting project was a Christmas Tree Skirt I made from a Joann class some 18years ago and I am still using it. However it was not until I had to water our fresh tree that I found the binding I used (red in color) was starting to run. Our instructor never told us about this possibility and even after using it every single Christmas since the first time, I know I can never wash my favorite quilting project without ruining it. A placemat is a good idea and so is a quilted case for your eyeglasses, or even just a quilted hot pad to use as a trivet. Each will give you an idea of what quilting is all about. Hope this helps. I am proudest of my tree skirt even after my 20 or so years of quilting and sewing. Hope you love it.

Re: first time quilting

Martha — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:30:30 GMT

Hi, Tracy. :) What size quilt are you thinking of making? I know some folks like to start out with a smaller project, maybe even a table runner or placemat, but then some jump right in and make a king sized quilt as their first one.

Since you mentioned that you are looking for free patterns, here's a link to the Jo-Ann quilting and patchwork projects. http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog.jsp?CATID=cat13853 Also, the Victoriana Quilt Designs site has links to lots of free patterns. http://www.freequiltpatterns.info/

Re: first time quilting

copehome — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:46:43 GMT

Tracy - take a look at this pattern: http://www.unitednotions.com/fp_sultry.pdf

It comes from Moda fabric free patterns & uses jelly roll fabric (I love the precut stuff!!). It was my first quilt & I found it simple & fun. Welcome to quilter's world!!