quilting ?

[shortcake2386]

i finished my first quilt tonight(ive pieced a couple but never actually put the batting/backing on )and i think i should have read some directions first i sewed the quilt layer, batting and backing together at the same time(inside out) and flipped it right side out and the edges are kind of curly...i just sewed around the edges of the batting didnt do x's or anything...is that where i went wrong??ill add pics its washing right now(bc i didnt prewash im hoping washing and drying it will fix everything )i hope it turns out ok...i bought enough fabric to make a whole bedding set for dd's new cradle(an antique we got for christmas that i still need to make a matress pad for...)TIA

[SneakyPie]

Oh honey. I'm hoping things go OK here because prewashing the fabric was probably essential, and there is a specific way to put the layers together (not usually an inside-out-bag tactic), and then the edges are usually bound with a separate strip of fabric . . .

But! Kudos to you for wading right in, and who knows? Just because there's a generally-accepted technique does not mean yours will not work. God knows knitters experiment all the time. I'm eagerly awaiting pictures and I hope you like what you've made!

[Think of Winter]

It might depend on how big your quilt is and what kind of batting you used. With cotton batting, some need to actually be quilted (top, batting, and back sewn together) to prevent the batting from falling apart. I've made a few baby quilts, and some I didn't pre-wash the fabric because I wanted the cotton to shrink a bit and give it a homey look. But you have to be careful about colors running, too.

I think you'll know when it comes out of the wash. If things look pretty good, you can add the binding right around the whole thing. It's not that hard to do. Post pics. Even if it looks bad, I'm sure there's a way to fix it. Worst case, take the top off the back, put if back together with new batting, do a bit of quilting, and resew. There are some good skinny books on finishing. Let me know if you want the titles. Good luck!

[TheDivineMissE]

Don't worry about prewashing - I never do anymore. I prefer the slightly puckered look it gets after it's been washed the first time. I was a little nervous about colors running when I made my personal quilt in reds and whites, but they didn't run and it looks just fine. Here's the picture: Half Log Cabin

Here's what I would do (although without seeing pictures - there may be an easier fix once you post them) - I would take the layers apart, turn everything right side out again, and either quilt or tie the quilt. Then I'd do the binding. It stinks to have to undo, but I think the results would make you happier.

[shortcake2386]

ok here are the finished pics...i fixed it!!!
quilted front:
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l1...2386/Jo567.jpg

closeup of prints:
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l1...2386/Jo568.jpg

reverse:
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l1...2386/Jo569.jpg
the fabric was only $2 a yard at walmart so im making her a cradle set out of it(btw they have them in blue too)

i cut off the outside half inch where id T&T and bound the edges...

another ? whats tying a quilt??

[TheDivineMissE]

Originally Posted by shortcake2386

another ? whats tying a quilt??

Tying a quilt means taking embroidery thread and using a needle to tie the quilt top, batting, and backing together. I tie at the block intersections - some tie in decorative patterns within the blocks.

You're quilt is super cute! I love the colors!

[shortcake2386]

thanks and thanks for the info now i want to make another!!!

[Think of Winter]

So cute! And I'm happy for you that it came out of the wash in great shape. One nice thing about tying is that if you use some chunky yarn, it hides any not-quite-perfect corners.

[TheDivineMissE]

Welcome to the addiction, i started exactly the same way.

[operamommy]

Aww...I love the bright happy colors you picked. They are gorgeous. Congrats on your first quilting project. I just finished my first one bigger than a wall hanging. It's in my blog if you'd like to peek. Aren't they fun to do?

[Flor]

Your quilt looks really good! I was worried for you at first, but I have a question. Did you actually "quilt" it, or did you just sew the edge closed kinda like a pillow case? By "quilting" I mean, for example, starting in the middle of the blanket and sewing through all three layers. Are the three layers attached just at the edges, or did you sew in the middle, too?

Usually, I lay all three pieces on top of each other and pin them together. Then I "quilt" starting in the center of the blanket. In the case of your blanket, I would sew around each square, though you could "tie" too, or trace the print with stiches. I would start in the center and move out to the edges. The last thing I do is bind the edges with a different piece of fabric. I really like these blanket bindings they sell at fabrics stores :

http://www.wrights.com/products/feat...lanketbind.htm

but of course, you can use matierial, too.

If you already did this, ignore my post! If you didn't, it isn't too late. You can still quilt it, there just might be some puckers.

Good work. It is really cute!