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I have quilt tops. Now what?  

post #1 of 27
8/19/04 at 1:45am
Thread Starter 
While I was pregnant last year, I learned to quilt and made some beautiful quilt tops. So now I have 4 quilt tops. What next? I have batting and backing fabric for them all. So do I just pin it and start stitching or what? I would like to machine quilt a couple of them but I don't have a fancy machine. I've heard of something called a walking foot for a sewing machine - would this make it easier? If I decide to hand quilt, do I need a big frame to hold the quilt? Any advice is appreciated! Thanks.
post #2 of 27
8/19/04 at 4:26am
First, you'll lay the backing fabric down, right side down, put the batting on top and then put your quilt top over that. Then you can either pin all layers together (you'll need a lot of pins!), baste all the layers together with a big star (like, an X and a + combined...that works best for hand quilting) or buy some spray adhesive that's intended for quilts and spray baste it all together. Personally, I pin mine. I've yet to find a better method.

One tip...cut your backing and batting LARGER than your quilt top, if you can. It's inevitable, when you're quilting, the layers will slip. I always cut my fabrics a good inch larger (on all sides) than my quilt--that gives me room for slippage.

Once that's done, if you want to machine quilt, you can do it without a fancy machine. If you can get some bicycle clips (the kind that you can get next to the bicycle section of whatever stores you like for that sort of thing), you can clip those around the rolls and then, starting in the center, quilt moving out and upward. There are a lot of "motifs" you can use, but the easiest is "in the ditch", which means you quilt inside the seams.

A walking foot would be VERY helpful for quilting. They're not really spendy, and they help all the layers move through together. I HIGHLY recommend a walking foot.

For hand quilting, I've always done mine with a large hoop, not really a frame. Like an embroidery hoop, but larger. I like that, 'cause you can move your piece around to suit whatever you're quilting.

Once you've got the quilting done to your satisfaction, you'll need to trim all layers (I like my binding fluffy too. If you don't, you can cut your batting shy.) and then you have some choices on binding. If it's a quilt that won't see hard use, generally I just double fold that extra inch I've got on the backing, stitch that down, and then fold it over the top and stitch it to my topper. But, if the quilt will see hard usage, "they" say to bind it with bias tape. I LOATHE bias tape, so I never do that. :LOL

I hope that helps. If you need more detail, you can PM me. If you want to look at some that I've done and see if you can figure out the binding part that way, I've got some on my website at http://amber-and-eric.com/quilts.html

HTH!
post #3 of 27
8/19/04 at 12:41pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for all the info! I loved your web site and specifically the t-shirt quilt. It's got me thinking... Maybe another quilt top soon with my old shirts! I'll definitely look into getting a walking foot. Last I checked, for my Kenmore machine, they were $30 at Sears. A bit pricey but something to get soon for sure! Maybe I'll post pics of my quilt tops soon.

Thanks,
Melissa
post #4 of 27
8/25/04 at 4:27am
If you do the t-shirt one, fusible webbing will be your friend. It takes the stretch out of the shirts so you acn sew them together easier and end up with a square quilt.

$30 is a little spendy, but it's $30 that's well spent if you're going to do a number of quilts. It's really helpful!

Would love to see soem of your toppers!
post #5 of 27
8/25/04 at 4:39am
Wow!!! Awesome quilts.

I originally bought my walking foot for sewing fleece garments, and now I have another use for it! Maybe I will actually get started on my first quilt.
post #6 of 27
8/25/04 at 8:35pm
OK--somewhat off topic, but I can't resist...
T

BlueBell--I love your quilts, especially the ones with the frayed edges. I have a question, too. I really wanted to make one like those (I call it the chenille effect) for a friend with a new baby, but then was wondering about the safety factor of having loose threads around a newborn--what do you think?

Did you pull all of the 'long' threads out and only leave the perpendicular ones--do you think it's possible to get them all and make it safe?
How much fabric do you leave for the best effect--it looks like an inch?

Also--I bought a walking foot (I think it was about $28, too) and have never used it--do all my quilting by hand with a large hoop and baste (smaller quilts) or used pins for the one really big quilt I made. Someday I'll try the foot though!
post #7 of 27
8/25/04 at 10:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by gardenmom
BlueBell--I love your quilts, especially the ones with the frayed edges. I have a question, too. I really wanted to make one like those (I call it the chenille effect) for a friend with a new baby, but then was wondering about the safety factor of having loose threads around a newborn--what do you think?
I think it'd be OK, because you take the short threads out, and the long threads go across the width of the block and are tacked down on both ends.

There's a picture on the page with my quilts that's a redhead holding a quilt like that...can you see it? We gave that to her before she had her son, and he's used it since day one. IMO, it's fine, but you definitely have to use your best judgement!

Quote:
Originally Posted by gardenmom
Did you pull all of the 'long' threads out and only leave the perpendicular ones--do you think it's possible to get them all and make it safe?
Actually, after I clipped it, I just washed it about 10 times. The threads took care of themselves!

Quote:
Originally Posted by gardenmom
How much fabric do you leave for the best effect--it looks like an inch?
Yup, an inch. If I do it so the blocks are smaller than six inches, finished, not including trim, I'll do smaller fringe, about 1/2 inch.

Quote:
Originally Posted by gardenmom
Also--I bought a walking foot (I think it was about $28, too) and have never used it--do all my quilting by hand with a large hoop and baste (smaller quilts) or used pins for the one really big quilt I made. Someday I'll try the foot though!
You are a better quilter than I am! :LOL I HATE hand quilting, but do love the end result.
post #8 of 27
8/25/04 at 11:15pm
Ok--one more, then I'll quit hijacking this thread--what do you mean when you say "after I clipped it"?

Are you cutting into the exposed seam allowance, and if so, how often?

Also, how do you treat the corner where the four squares meet? Can you sew right to the edge of the fabric or do you have to leave the seam allowance free at the corners, with all the threads meeting exactly at a point in the corner when you join pieces? Does it matter with this method? Sorry if that's confusing...

Thanks--I think I'll give it a go--now I just have to dig through my stash and figure out what fabrics I'll use, and try not to buy any more!
post #9 of 27
8/26/04 at 12:59am
Quote:
Originally Posted by gardenmom
Ok--one more, then I'll quit hijacking this thread--what do you mean when you say "after I clipped it"?
Once you have it all stitched together and you have one side that looks like a "normal" quilt and one that has all the exposed edges, then you go through and clip all the ragged edges down to, but not THROUGH the seam--perpendicular to the seam so that it leaves little 1 inch tag looking things. I do that on ALL the seams. When you wash it, those tags will fray into what you see on my pictures.

Quote:
Originally Posted by gardenmom
Are you cutting into the exposed seam allowance, and if so, how often?
Yes, exactly. I do one inch increments, but I'm not anal about it. It doesn't really matter in the long run--you're just cutting those tags so that it will fray easier and better. If you cut them about one inch or smaller, they tend to fray a little easier.

Quote:
Originally Posted by gardenmom
Also, how do you treat the corner where the four squares meet? Can you sew right to the edge of the fabric or do you have to leave the seam allowance free at the corners, with all the threads meeting exactly at a point in the corner when you join pieces? Does it matter with this method? Sorry if that's confusing...
I sew right to the edge--when you sew the rows to the other rows, you'll end up tacking some of those seam allowances down. When you clip to make the fringe, just clip them apart as you can, being sure not to hit the seams. It doesn't matter TOO much, because again, when you wash it, it frays out.

Quote:
Originally Posted by gardenmom
Thanks--I think I'll give it a go--now I just have to dig through my stash and figure out what fabrics I'll use, and try not to buy any more!
It works really well with flannels and 100% cottons. Doesn't work well with Poly blends. Oh, big thing on this one--don't prewash! Need that shrinkage to make those seams tight, since you're fraying to the seam.

The math is a little hinky on these blocks...if you need some help figuring out what sizes to cut, let me know!
post #10 of 27
8/26/04 at 2:16am
I only hand quilt and have done quilts up to a king size. I never use a hoop or frame. Ijust go crazy quilting. It ismuch faster and the needle goes in andout better for me, making smaller stitches if I do not use a hoop.

I pinn my binding and stuff together.

Always use bias tape. If it wears out it can be replaces and the quilt can be saved. If you have used the backing for your quilt your best option is patching whitch can distract from the beauty of the quilt. I used to buy it but now I just make my own. You just cut 2 inch strips and get a bias tape gizmo that folds as you iron and then sew it on around the quilt (machine) and then do a hidden stitch to fasten the other side on. Well, I managed to make that sound complicated but it is really quite simple. If I do not need biased tape (curved edges) I just cut it stright. If I am giving the gift as a quilt I give a couple yards of extra bias tape for repairs.

here is a quilt I finished recently: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...e=STRK:MESO:IT (the auction has ended just linking for a picture) you can't see it in the picture but ther are ping roses with green leaves on the white squares.
post #11 of 27
8/26/04 at 2:55am
nak
i abhorr binding quilts and use this 'birthing' method.
Birthing a quilt. The method of sewing the quilt batting and backing to the outside edges of the quilt (right sides together), then turning the whole thing inside out as if it were a pillowcase. If you have laid out the layers correctly, the batting will be in the middle, and you can slip stitch the quilt pillow closed.
it works really well and turns out beautifully. it saves time too. i'm all for that!
very nice quilts bluebelle and lilyka.
post #12 of 27
8/26/04 at 3:39am
Quote:
Originally Posted by lilyka
Always use bias tape. If it wears out it can be replaces and the quilt can be saved. If you have used the backing for your quilt your best option is patching whitch can distract from the beauty of the quilt.
I've never had a problem with bindings that are folded over wearing out. That's including a quilt I made for my four year old neice that's been drug all over the place. I think if you use quality fabric, then you run the same risk for your binding wearing out as you would for the hem of a shirt or skirt wearing out.

I think it's personal preference, really.
post #13 of 27
8/26/04 at 3:51am
I've never heard of these alternative ways of binding, so this is an interesting thread. I'm having slight difficulty picturing the one where you sew the batting to the backing then turn it inside out (actually, outside out, i guess ). I assume you make it a little larger than the quilt top, and then you still fold it over and slip stitch it? So then the binding would also include a layer of batting? Oh, no, I just read it for a third time and it's like I thought the first time--the quilt top is included too. So how does the quilting experience work once you've flipped it so the outside is out. Do you quilt it before you slip stitch it closed?

When I made the binding for my quilt, I didn't make bias tape, I did it the way the instructor showed us which worked well and I think is supposed to be faster. I still made a long strip of tape, just not on a bias, and I machine sewed it to the front, then pressed it over and did the slip stitching on the back. I kind of like having a separate piece for the binding, but I might try something different.

Alas, quilt tops for me are just things that sit around gathering dust. I've only managed to complete one quilt, and I gave it away!
post #14 of 27
8/26/04 at 12:30pm
This is a great thread...


Amywillo, I use the straight grain type binding like you do on most everything, folded over, machine sewn to my quilt, then tacked down with the blind stitch. I've folded the backing over on a few small wall hanging types of quilts, but I figure that once I go to all the work hand quilting, attaching a seperate binding is a piece of cake, and I like the option of having a different color than the backing as the edge--it just gives a crisp look. I believe that if you make quilts with curved edges, you do need to use bias tape for the ability to stretch around the curves--never done that, so I'm not sure, though.

BlueBelle--thanks for all the advice--unfortunately, now I have to go buy more fabrics (oh boo hoo :LOL) because everything in my stash is always washed and dried before I put it away so I know it's all pre-shrunk, colorfast, and has all the sizing and chemicals washed out before I handle it.

I don't understandget why the math would be hard for the 'chenille' look, unless you try to make a difficult pattern, etc. Can't I just cut all 5 inch squares and sew them together until I'm happy with the size? If not...let me know why not...thanks!
post #15 of 27
8/26/04 at 1:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Amywillo
So how does the quilting experience work once you've flipped it so the outside is out. Do you quilt it before you slip stitch it closed?
I close the 'birthing' hole after I flip it right side out with a running stich on the machine that i take all the way around the outer edge of the quilt. Then you can tie off or stitch in the ditch or fancy quilt-hand or machine.

I've done homemade chenille pillow tops that turned out great. I sewed 5 layers of fabrics together in parallel rows (like a cornfield rows) then you take a small pair of embroidery scissors and cut through 4 of the layers between the stiches-wash to fluff. be sure and test your fabrics before going through all that work because some don't fray well and you lose the effect.
post #16 of 27
8/26/04 at 8:37pm
Thread Starter 
Okay, I hope this link works. These are the quilt tops I was talking about. The denim one will be backed with flannel and then washed and dried so the seems fray on the outside. The rest will have a typical batting and backing and hopefully be machine quilted together. And the toile baby quilt was made using precut squares from ebay alternating with a white-on-white floral print.

http://share.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=EeIMnDZm3cNnCw
post #17 of 27
8/26/04 at 8:58pm
Just chiming in to say I LOVE my walking foot.Worth every penny.

lilyka you need to put a minimum bid on your quilts. You have to have way more than $20 in to the batting and backing alone! Not including your time and the top fabrics. People value things more if they have a bigger price tag! Sad but true.It is a great quilt , I love a fan!
post #18 of 27
8/26/04 at 9:45pm
I was just going to mention that if you get tired of quilting...I made a pieced top and then used it to make a comforter cover for my dd...just backed it with a big piece of sheeting and sewed it up with an opening for inserting the duvet.

I love piecing but I've learned that I don't have a lot of patience for the actual quilting part......
post #19 of 27
8/26/04 at 10:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by be11ydancer
Okay, I hope this link works. These are the quilt tops I was talking about. The denim one will be backed with flannel and then washed and dried so the seems fray on the outside. The rest will have a typical batting and backing and hopefully be machine quilted together. And the toile baby quilt was made using precut squares from ebay alternating with a white-on-white floral print.

http://share.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=EeIMnDZm3cNnCw
Those are BEAUTIFUL! GOOD job!
post #20 of 27
8/26/04 at 10:46pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by gardenmom
BlueBelle--thanks for all the advice--unfortunately, now I have to go buy more fabrics (oh boo hoo :LOL) because everything in my stash is always washed and dried before I put it away so I know it's all pre-shrunk, colorfast, and has all the sizing and chemicals washed out before I handle it.
:LOL More fabric? Oh, gosh, that's so sad for you! :LOL I always pre-wash my stuff, unless I know it's going into a rag quilt, too. Just easier that way.

Quote:
Originally Posted by gardenmom
I don't understandget why the math would be hard for the 'chenille' look, unless you try to make a difficult pattern, etc. Can't I just cut all 5 inch squares and sew them together until I'm happy with the size? If not...let me know why not...thanks!
Well, do you want five inches finished? Then you cut seven inch squares. The batting then needs to be 2.5 inches (total) smaller). So, you'll cut 4.5 inch squares of batting. It's not calculus or anything, but the first time I made one, I forgot the batting had to be smaller, then had all this batting hanging out...it was WAY not cute. :LOL
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