My Beginner Quilting Experience
My Introduction to Quilting
We are lucky to have, in our craft group, a talented quilter. Janet V has been quilting for many years, she lived in the US for a time and this was when the craft really grabbed her interest. J shipped over her massive material stash and equipment on her return home to the UK. J gets us busy from time to time honing the craft, making bags and decorations etc.,
The four of us have contributed (in varying degrees) in the making of this rather lovely design see below. Still to be quilted etc., but it's nearing completion.
A Beginner's Experience
The process of 'doing' is the best way to learn a new skill. I was an absolute beginner to patchwork when we started this project. I struggled with an old sewing machine and couldn't keep up with the others, but I quickly learned about cutting strips and sewing strips, then sub-cutting those strips and sewing and pressing seams to make a nine-patch block. You will see if you look closely at the photograph that the nine-patch blocks forms the middle section of each of the larger square panels in the overall design.
Since we started the project I have purchased a new sewing machine. I had some sewing essentials already but I now have my own cutting mat and rotary cutter and I'm starting to build up my fabric collections. A friend has done the same and we are beginning to sew together on the days we meet and we visited this year's Festival of Quilts 2018 for inspiration. While visiting the show, the Kaleidoscope book stall introduced us to a whole range of quilting themed books. I have been introduced to the many words and terminology attached to the craft of quilting in recent weeks due to my own efforts to engage in the quilting world. You will definitely need one or two good books on the subject to help you along, though I suggest to anyone who is at a complete loss as to how to begin is to, firstly, undertake a fast and fun workshop which involves some piecing work to make something relatively simple out of fabric in the first instance. Lots of small craft shops offer one-off sessions to book on to. Also, join a local group consisting of people with some sewing know-how, and perhaps recruit a friend or family member into the idea of pairing up to do something creative together.
Book Recommendations
A couple of quilting books I can recommend for the quilting novice is Shelley Scott-Tobish's ' Easy Precision Piecing'and mentioning once again the excellent The Joy of Jelly Rolls by Carolyn Foster. If you're brave and the experimental sort and you paint as well as sew, Deborah O-Hare's book 'Small Art Quilts' has some beautiful art quilt projects that involves fabric painting, stenciling, machine and hand stitching, quilting and quilt binding, and embellishing to make wall hanging and other decorative pieces.
Try not to get carried away however, Quilting can be an expensive activity, so just dip your toe in slowly before you outlay massively in case it is not for you.
😍 from Debra
Note: Janet is often a guest contributor across my online platforms. (Click!) to view her most recent book review
Disclosure applies
The four of us have contributed (in varying degrees) in the making of this rather lovely design see below. Still to be quilted etc., but it's nearing completion.
 |
| quilt design around a nine-patch block |
A Beginner's Experience
The process of 'doing' is the best way to learn a new skill. I was an absolute beginner to patchwork when we started this project. I struggled with an old sewing machine and couldn't keep up with the others, but I quickly learned about cutting strips and sewing strips, then sub-cutting those strips and sewing and pressing seams to make a nine-patch block. You will see if you look closely at the photograph that the nine-patch blocks forms the middle section of each of the larger square panels in the overall design.
Since we started the project I have purchased a new sewing machine. I had some sewing essentials already but I now have my own cutting mat and rotary cutter and I'm starting to build up my fabric collections. A friend has done the same and we are beginning to sew together on the days we meet and we visited this year's Festival of Quilts 2018 for inspiration. While visiting the show, the Kaleidoscope book stall introduced us to a whole range of quilting themed books. I have been introduced to the many words and terminology attached to the craft of quilting in recent weeks due to my own efforts to engage in the quilting world. You will definitely need one or two good books on the subject to help you along, though I suggest to anyone who is at a complete loss as to how to begin is to, firstly, undertake a fast and fun workshop which involves some piecing work to make something relatively simple out of fabric in the first instance. Lots of small craft shops offer one-off sessions to book on to. Also, join a local group consisting of people with some sewing know-how, and perhaps recruit a friend or family member into the idea of pairing up to do something creative together.
Book Recommendations
A couple of quilting books I can recommend for the quilting novice is Shelley Scott-Tobish's ' Easy Precision Piecing'and mentioning once again the excellent The Joy of Jelly Rolls by Carolyn Foster. If you're brave and the experimental sort and you paint as well as sew, Deborah O-Hare's book 'Small Art Quilts' has some beautiful art quilt projects that involves fabric painting, stenciling, machine and hand stitching, quilting and quilt binding, and embellishing to make wall hanging and other decorative pieces.
Try not to get carried away however, Quilting can be an expensive activity, so just dip your toe in slowly before you outlay massively in case it is not for you.
😍 from Debra
Note: Janet is often a guest contributor across my online platforms. (Click!) to view her most recent book review
Disclosure applies
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