Is this a good quilt for a beginner?

[texmati]

It seems simple enough... but are there any gotcha's I don't see? I'm not a perfectionist by nature, so not having to cut out all those squares appeals to me. I just don't know if the construction would be forgiving to mistakes.

http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/?p=1071


If not-- what's another modernish, easy, beautiful baby quilt that I can make for my two little babes (one inside my belly, and one outside?)

[ms.shell]

that quilt top looks like a perfect first piecing project.
i would not recommend trying to do the quilting like that on your first quilt though. i would say make the patchwork like that but then quilt straight lines.
that may be an excellent tutorial and i can't say a beginner couldn't do that. but i would have made a terrible mess and ruined my top if i had tried to do that on any of my first quilts. but for me quilting is the hardest part and i am only now ready to think about quilting in this (free motion) way, and i have been quilting for at least 5 years and have made probably around 20 maybe more quilts. that is to say, i haven't tried quilting in this particular way yet, so it may be easier than i imagine. i just think it would be very easy for a beginner to run into a lot of trouble and possibly ruin the project.
again i would suggest you make that top and then quilt straight lines (carefully, after basting well...and be sure to cut the backing plenty larger than the top). your quilt will be beautiful.
maybe someone will chime in and say i am overreacting and that quilting method (free motion) looks tricky but is actually easy. i think it is too much for a beginner, tho.
good luck!

[texmati]

ok. I found another one by the same blogger that has straight line quilting:

http://www.ohfransson.com/oh_fransso...ilt-redux.html

I think it looks great, so maybe I'll try that.

Is binding really horrid to put on? I was thinking of doing pillowcase style, but I don't think it would look as good. I was thinking of maybe doing a storebought binding.

[ms.shell]

the quilting gives me more trouble than the binding.
i remember having a bit of trouble learning to turn the corners and started out using 4 pieces instead of one, but i was learning to sew at the time so had no idea what i was doing until i had done it a few times. i would think if someone had a bit of sewing experience when coming to quilting that binding would not be any trouble at all.

[Jenne]

So, one of the cool things about quilting is the freedom for creativity in it. If you like the first quilt better you can piece it and just do straight line quilting. Or if you like the colors of the second and the piecing of the first you can do that too. I wouldn't let how a blanket is quilted disway me from piecing it...

I hope that makes sense! I think you will really like either of these though. Great site! Thanks!

Jenne...always piecing...never quilting!

[mbm]

If there is a quilt store in your area, you can bring over your project and they will show you how to quilt and bind it. Sometimes it can be really helpful to have an in-person demo or advice. My mom does this all the time!

[sunnysandiegan]

Either top will be a good beginner baby quilt (using charms or cutting your fabric).

Both quilting methods are not beginner levels.

The beginner quilting method is to do the pillowcase flip. Then, you topstitch all the way around a half-inch from the edges. Makes it look more finished.

There are several differences between sewing and quilting. (I have been attending quilting classes for seven years now and still learn new things. )

1. You don't backstitch in piecing nor quilting. You chain-stich the pieces and snip in-between. The ends get caught in future stitching and never need the reinforcing like sewing does. In the quilting, you pull the threads to the back and tie them before cutting the loose threads.

2. Cutting fabric is different in quilting than in sewing. Very different. In quilting, you hold the fabric up and adjust the two edges until it hangs straight. (It doesn't matter if the edges match up or not.) Then, you lay it on a cutting mat and use a quilter's rule and rotary cutter. Straight lines and squaring up is a lot more important.

3. Seam allowances are different. General rule of thumb for quilting is quarter-inch seams.

4. Pressing is different. In quilting, you press both seams to one side (not open, like sewing)...typically towards the darker fabric, but it depends on the piecing pattern. The quilts linked above are good for beginners specifically because you do not need to match seams. Pressing is key to good quilts. Press after each step. Better to NOT use steam because it tends to distort your fabric. A spray bottle of distilled water and a dry iron works far better.

A few more tips....
Line up your finished rows from the center versus one end. You square up before adding a border or binding and this removes far less fabric and keeps your project centered better if you align everything from the center. Plus, you can often ease the longer section to fit the shorter section when work from the center out while you pin it. Put the longer piece down and the shorter piece up. Your feed dogs can really help you.

When I quilt, I tend to use a "S" stitch in-between rows. It is very forgiving and looks nicer than a straight stitch. The best quilting method for beginners is called "stitch in the ditch" and refers to straight stitching alongside your piecing seams. It makes it pretty easy to follow and looks nice. All those straight lines on the second link will be very frustrating for a beginner and requires a lot of precision sewing and marking your fabric, which is time-consuming.

HAVE FUN!!!!

[texmati]

wow, sunnysandiagan! thanks so much for the tips. I haven't started the project yet-- I'm waiting for the first trimester blues to subside.

[sunnysandiegan]

I am googling for my own project and came across this site and thought you might find it helpful....

http://www.quilting101.com/

[Nicole730]

I agree with PP, the top is fine but the quilting in that first one is probably too much.

I think binding is quite easy and enjoy handsewing it down on the back, instead of machine sewing it down in the ditch.

[ms.shell]

Wow, thanks for your informative post here, sunnysandiegan.
I have been quilting for years, but I have never attended a class- and I learned something from your post. So, again, thanks!

[sunnysandiegan]

It was my pleasure, texmati and ms.shell.

I started attending our adult ed quilting classes (free in my city; not free in surrounding cities; same instructors, different funding, etc) when my DD was 2YO specifically so I could learn to make her a quilt from her baby clothes. (She's 9 now, btw, and that quilt still isn't made. I've been "practicing" with other projects. LOL) I was in an all-day quilting class on Saturday and was reminded of the differences between sewing and quilting, so my reply above came naturally and quickly. We had a lot of young women in class this time (college age). It was the first time I have not been the youngest student! These younger women were mostly beginning sewers, also, so there was more instruction than usual (small group and I happened to be sitting near these gals).

On a different note, I recently did a new-to-me method of binding that turned out to be quite easy and QUICK. When your backing is large enough and goes nicely with your pieced top, you can wrap it from the back to the front and machine-stitch it (I use a zigzag stitch or my signature "S" stitch) or handstitch it. I am likely to do this method again for most smaller quilts I make. A tip if you try this method: Leave a good bit of extra fabric on the back until after you've quilted the project, THEN square it up and leave the specific amount you want for the binding.

[texmati]

these posts are so helpful! I'm just now starting to try and price out my project. A few vocab qeustions:

What's an s-stitch? (I promised I tried to Google!)

And what does it mean to "hand sew binding down the back?

wow! it feels like this is much more complicated than that tute makes it seem!

Also, I do have some yardage of fabric at home that I haven't used-- none of it is quilting cotton. Is it ok to use a heavier weight for the backing? like a bottom weight denim?

[sunnysandiegan]

Originally Posted by texmati

these posts are so helpful! I'm just now starting to try and price out my project. A few vocab qeustions:

What's an s-stitch? (I promised I tried to Google!)

And what does it mean to "hand sew binding down the back?

wow! it feels like this is much more complicated than that tute makes it seem!

Also, I do have some yardage of fabric at home that I haven't used-- none of it is quilting cotton. Is it ok to use a heavier weight for the backing? like a bottom weight denim?

An "S" stitch is a decorative stitch that looks like an S. It is not a zigzag where the needle only goes down at each point, but rather forms smooth curves and the needle goes down several times along each S. Not all machines have this stitch.

Binding is very subjective. There are many ways to do binding. I think that is why experienced quilters recommend beginners do their first quilt in the pillowcase flip style. Topstitching a half-inch in from the sides will give the illusion that you used the same fabric for the binding as the border. I've done a new way for nearly every quilt I've made. The only method I've done more than once is machine-stitching the binding to the BACK of the quilt and then wrapping it around to the front and machine-stitching it down in a "decorative" (anything but straight) stitch.

To specifically answer your question, though, hand sewing the binding to the back means you machine-stitch it to the front and then wrap it around to the back and hand sew it to the back of the quilt.

Personally, I had a young baby when I was learning to quilt and hand-stitching just didn't happen. The quilt I started in this manner (one of my first three quilts) didn't get finished for a LONG time because hand-stitching required me to sit still with a needle in my hand. DD was/is my "velcro baby" and is next to me or on top of me most waking moments and I was too tired by the time she went to bed. When I sewed at the machine, she would play at my feet (literally). I could actually finish projects with the machine (even if it was in short spurts). Now that she is older (9), I could easily hand-stitch anything, but honestly by the time I get to the binding of a quilt I just want to FINISH it! I do find hand-stitching relaxing and don't mind it when it is at the beginning of a project or is the entire project.

No offense to the maker of the tutorial nor anyone who likes it, but I found both of them to be lacking in details that are critical. She sounds like an experienced quilter who assumes everyone already knows how to sew and quilt (very, very common). OR she just wanted to get the main points down in order to keep the tutorial short and readable. The details in quilting can be laborious to write out and some are difficult to explain well in writing. Depending on what type of learner you are, a hands-on class (kinesthetic learner) might be best for learning the basics or a video (audio learner) might be more helpful than just a written pictorial (visual learner). If you are a visual learner, then find a basic quilting book (library) or online guide to go along with the tutorials for this particular quilt top. The author of such a guide will be focused solely on the steps and procedures for ANY quilt, which are transferable skills for all quilts.

I don't think quilting is really difficult. I do think it is full of details and steps that require order and precision. It is a lot of fun and is worth the learning curve...a very rewarding hobby!

[sunnysandiegan]

Oops, I forgot to answer your last question regarding fabric.

I am not a traditional quilter. I learned traditional quilting methods first and then less traditional methods and then had a brief introduction to "art quilts". While art quilts are my absolute favorite, I find myself far more practical for those on a regular basis. I have used all sorts of fabrics for quilts. I also take quilt tops and do unconventional projects with them. I also take traditional quilting projects and use sheets and tablecloths to accomplish the same thing (no piecing) when I want a more durable and practical end product.

The official answer I was taught is 100% cotton fabric and 100% cotton thread produces a better quality quilt that will last a long time and will be easily mended along the way. I do believe that is true, as I own a few such heirlooms. I've also seen the results from not following that guideline. However, I also don't feel that type of precision is always necessary for every single quilting project. I match purpose to quality of materials for a good mix, IMO.

Therefore, my criteria would include:

~ Who is the project intended for? Is this person hard on items like this? Or does this person generally take good care of belongings?

~ What type of project is it? A wall-hanging, for example, is a low use project and doesn't need all the best quality materials. Visual appeal is the top priority. A lap quilt is likely to get a lot of use and washing. Durability is the top priority. A baby quilt could go either way, depending on the parents (and later the child).

~ What can I afford? Quilting CAN be an expensive hobby, but it doesn't have to be.

~ Why am I doing this? A gift for someone who really treasures hand-made items and/or quilts specifically is going receive a lot more attention to detail (from me) than a gift for someone who may not appreciate it as much. Am I making this item to save money versus buying something pre-made? Am I making this item to learn a skill or new technique? Am I making this because I cannot find what I want for purchase? Am I making this just for fun to see if I can?

These are all critical factors for me in deciding which materials to use.

I have made several gifts for people whom I knew would cherish the quilt. I spent the time and money on top quality materials for those gifts. I adjusted the size to match my budget while keeping in mind what they would likely do with it.

Most projects, however, do not warrant such extreme care and precision, IMO. They turn out good enough for the intended purpose.