Quilt bedding is a work of art created with the quilting technique. Quilting is the art of sewing and piecing together pieces of fabric to create motifs on bedding or other household items. Quilting can be a very fun and rewarding hobby. You can do it alone, with friends, or in groups. Here's how to get started!
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Method 1 of 6: Preparation
Step 1. Gather the ingredients
To start making your first quilt, you'll need to prepare everything so that it's easy to use. Grab your gear, tidy up an area and let's get started. You will need:
- rotary cutter
- Scissors
- Ruler
- Yarn (various types)
- Cutting mat
- dedel tool
- Straight pin
Step 2. Choose your fabric
Different types of fabric will break down at different times too -- so it's best not to mix different materials. You're better off sticking with cotton. Next, think about color and size -- if you don't consider them carefully, your quilt won't be as attractive and organized.
- Choose colors that are the same tone, but don't use the exact same color -- your quilt will look boring with one color. Consider choosing light and bright, dark and bold, and avoid colors that are too similar to each other.
- Do not choose fabrics with motifs that are entirely small or entirely large. Varying between the two will create a more dynamic and clear result. You may have to choose one fabric, and adjust the other based on the fabric's pattern.
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Consider choosing an "encouraging" fabric. This is a fabric that is much lighter in color than the others, making for an overall attractive quilt.
- You will also need fabric for the back, edges, for binding, and for filling.
- If you choose a high quality 100% cotton fabric purchased from a fabric store or a store with high quality options such as JoAnn, Hancock, etc., you will not have a problem with color fading, etc. If the fabric you are using is old or of low quality, wash it before you start cutting.
Step 3. Try to get a quilting kit
A beginner should have a quilting kit for easy learning. Quilting kits are tools that have been grouped together to create a masterpiece. Usually they come with a pattern, pre-cut fabric, and guides. However, this kit does not come with thread, quilt base and filler.
Make sure the device is suitable for your ability level. Almost all devices are marked with a capability level. Some are adapted for novice beginners, usually for making wall hangings as a beginner before working on a quilt quilt. Another alternative is to purchase a jelly roll, which is a bunch of fabrics of the same feel that have been cut into long stripes. One roll can make a quilt as small as a wall hanging
Method 2 of 6: Preparing Your Fabric
Step 1. Choose a design
You will need to know how large the blanket will be and how you will arrange your fabric pieces. At this point, it will be easier for you to work with the boxes.
You can use large boxes "or" use small boxes arranged into large squares. Take a look at the materials you have and estimate what arrangements you can make from them
Step 2. Start cutting your fabric
Grab your spinning cutter and start the fun. You'll need to do some math, though -- the seam spacing and the overall size have to be taken into account.
You will need 0.6 cm on each side of the strip of fabric. So if you wanted a 10 cm square, you would cut a 11.25 cm square. If you want 4 squares to fill a 35 cm block, each of the smaller squares will have a size of 6.25 cm
Step 3. Arrange your pieces
It's easier to arrange them now than to arrange them later when you sew them. Clear some area on the floor to see how your end result will look.
You need to see how each piece of fabric fits around the perimeter. Arranging your fabric pieces one at a time will prevent you from piling one color at a time. You can also see how it will turn out when it's done
Method 3 of 6: Sewing Your Quilt Blanket
Step 1. Start sewing the rows
Take the array of fabrics you have laid on the floor and stack several fabrics per row, from left to right. You will also need adhesive or similar to help you show the rows by stacking them.
- Take a piece of square that you have and place it with your face facing up. Then, take the second sheet and place it face down, just above the first square. Put a pin on the right side.
- With your sewing machine, sew the squares with a seam of 0.6 cm. You will need to align the edges of your fabric to your machine shoe. Adjust the needle if needed. Be aware that a little less than 0.6 cm is better than an excess of 0.6 cm.
- Now open the pair of fabrics with the sides facing you. Take the third box and pin it with the front side facing the second box. Sew with a 0.6 cm seam as you made. Repeat until this row and subsequent rows are complete, but don't sew the rows just yet!
Step 2. Press your fabric
This may seem boring and unimportant, but you'll be grateful you did. And, yes, there is a difference between pressing and ironing: pressing is done more gently. And if you use steam, your fabric will become a little stiffer. Make sure you press the hem in one direction - not open.
- Press the hem in one direction on the even rows and press the hem in the other direction on the odd rows. Continue on each line.
- Once you have two rows, attach the hem. Do the pressed seams touch each other? Good. Now give the pins so that the boxes are also attached.
Step 3. Sew the rows together
Now that you have the seams aligned, it will be very easy for you to sew these rows. Follow the line you drew and return to your machine.
If it's not perfect, don't be afraid. This is an ability that is possessed over time. But the patchwork effect on your quilt will make up for the flaws
Method 4 of 6: Creating Edges
Step 1. Take four long strips of your fabric
It doesn't have to be one of the fabrics you're using -- you can use the opposite color of your quilt to add color. Each sheet should measure from one edge of your blanket and be at least 7.5 cm wide.
Step 2. Find the length of your edge
There are many ways to do this, but the easiest way is the one below.
- Cut the edge of the fabric (the part that sits on the edge of the fabric to prevent fraying) from the edge. Then place 2 long strips of fabric across the center of your blanket, with one edge parallel to the edge of the blanket. The other end will hang on the other side.
- Pin the edge of the fabric that goes past the edge of the blanket. And cut carefully with your cutter at the places marked with the pin.
Step 3. Put a pin on the edge
Fold the hem of the fabric in half, end to end, to find the center. Mark the center with a pin with the center of the quilt, and pin both ends, both the edge and the quilt.
Give pins a certain distance along the edges to keep the fabric in position. It's not a bad thing if your fabric is slightly smaller than the length of the quilt layer (and the other two fabrics are longer), but this is why starting from the center and the edges when pinning is so important
Step 4. Sew the edges of your fabric
Thread the needle on the opposite side and sew the hem over the edge of the quilt. Press the edges open and flat against the face of your quilt.
Repeat this step on the other edge. Place the remaining 2 edge fabrics in the center of the quilt layer. Mark where you need to cut, trim the rest, pin and sew. Press again
Method 5 of 6: Filling, Grounding, and Basing Your Quilt
Step 1. Choose your filling material
These are items that are tucked in between pretty pieces on your quilt cover. There are millions of options to fill out (that's true), making the process quite daunting. But using the basics now will ensure your success later. In general, you need to consider the thickness and the elements of the material you are using.
- Loft is a fancy term for the thickness of your filling. A low loft means your filling is thin. Low loft fabrics are easier to work with, but make for a thinner blanket too.
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Fiber is what makes your stuffing. Polyester, 100% cotton, and cotton/poly blends are the three most commonly used materials and none is better than the other. Wool and silk are also available, but at a higher price. And the newest entrant is bamboo, but that's really weird.
- Polyester - A cheaper option that is better to use for a homemade quilt cover if it is a low loft type. This material doesn't need to be sewn close to the rest, but it tends to shift and the fibers can come out of the edges of the blanket if it's old.
- Cotton - This is a good choice for machine-made quilt covers. This material should be sewn more tightly. It will shrink a bit, but won't clump. 100% cotton will feel like flannel.
- Cotton blend (usually 80% cotton/20% polyester) - Probably the best choice, if you have to choose. It is inexpensive and does not shrink as much as it does with 100% cotton. Good for the engine too.
Step 2. Cut your base material
This should be the biggest part. The filling should be smaller than your landing size and larger than your quilt section. The quilt section will be the smallest.
As long as your filling is 5–10 cm larger on all sides than the rest of your quilt, then there is no problem. The reason the back should be larger is because you'll usually be sewing from the top of the quilt and the filling and base can shift slightly underneath. The extra distance is your guarantee that your take off won't suddenly get smaller than your face
Step 3. Assemble your layers
Straight sewing is a very important step in this process. It may feel tedious, but doing it carefully will give you results that look masterful. Straight stitch is one way to temporarily hold the three layers together as you sew them.
- Iron the base cloth and place it on the floor face down. Carefully pull the fabric (but don't stretch it) and glue it to a hard, flat surface.
- Flatten the filling and place the quilt layer over the filling. Press the two layers together to even out the wrinkles. This is also done so that the quilt layer adheres slightly to the filling. When the top layer and filling have become slick and smooth, carefully roll out both layers.
- Bring the Top layer roll and stuffing back and carefully unfold the roll over the base fabric, smoothing out any creases in the fabric as you unfold. Make sure you can see the base fabric around the edges of the quilt lining.
Step 4. Keep the layers together
Here are some options for you. That is, if you sew it using a machine. You can always sew the basting in the traditional way or you can also use spray basting.
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Pin the quilt every 5 to 10 cm starting from the center. Use straight pins -- they are curved and easy to turn. Once the needles are in place, remove the adhesive and double check your quilt to make sure the seams are tight and even.
If there is any shrinkage or excess material, now is the time to fix the problem. If the fabric you are using is loose when you start sewing it, there will be tucked or wrinkled fabric. You can't fix it once you've started sewing it without giving it a headache and wasting a lot of time cleaning it up. (You can, however, use a quilt full of motifs to hide minor mistakes.)
Step 5. Start basting
There are many options for sewing by machine. The first option is to sew it parallel to the hem/fabric. Sewing right next to the hem is called "ditch sewing." If you want to create a visual appearance to your quilt, you can sew stripes or patterns in the opposite direction.
It's best to work the quilt from the center and outward. Since it will be very difficult to fit the entire piece into the sewing machine, you can roll the edges. You can unroll it as you approach the outer edge. You will also need walking shoes when sewing them. It's not mandatory, but it will help you sew each layer evenly
Method 6 of 6: Tying Your Quilt
Step 1. Start cutting and trimming
You will need to trim the filling and base fabric of your quilt. Use a rotary cutter and the ruler you use should have a sharp angled edge. Then start cutting the fabric lengthwise for your quilt ties.
Trim the excess fabric from the fabric that has been cut lengthwise. You'll need four strands that are the same length as all the edges of your quilt, but that are a smaller width than your hem. 5-7.5 cm is an appropriate width, depending on the size of your blanket
Step 2. Sew these lengthwise fabrics to make one lengthwise piece of fabric
This may seem confusing or the opposite of what it should be, but it's the easiest way to do it. Press the hem open and fold it in half "lengthwise". Press again – you'll want sharp creases at the edges of your quilt.
Step 3. Pin your knot
Starting at the corner on one side (you won't want to join the ends any further from the corner -- this can be very difficult), pinpoint the rough edge of the fabric you've pressed against the rough edge of the BACK side of your quilt.
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When you reach the corner, you will have to tuck it in. To do so:
- Fold the fabric at a 45-degree angle when you reach the corner of your blanket. Give the needle at a 45 degree angle to maintain that angle.
- Fold the fabric lengthwise down to match the rough edges on the next side edge. The crease should be parallel to the edge of the last side you pinned. You will have a protruding triangle – feed the other needle at a 45-degree angle on the other side of the crease of the small triangle.
- When the lengthwise fabric has wrapped around the blanket and is back at the starting point, fold the ends so that the fabric is connected. Press with your iron to make sharp creases on both folds. Cut the hem about 0.6 cm from the crease. Give the needle to unite and sew the hem at the pressing mark on both fabrics lengthwise. Press the hem until it opens.
Step 4. Sew on your quilt
You're almost done! Sew the ties to the back of your blanket with a 0.6 cm seam apart. (If you have a walking-foot feature on your sewing machine, use it here.) When you reach the corner, stop your stitches 0.6 cm from the edge of the edge. Lift the machine shoe and turn your quilt in the new direction, and put the little triangle the other way and start sewing from the beginning of that side.
- When all four edges have been sewn to the back of the quilt, fold the folded edge over to the front of the quilt and thread the needle. The tucked corner should be in place. It's like magic. Provide plenty of pins to keep the fastener in place in preparation for machine sewing.
- Using either the same color thread or transparent thread (good to use if you don't want your stitches to show up too much at the back), carefully sew the binding from the front side of the quilt. Carefully turn the quilt over when you reach the corner and continue sewing around the quilt. You will need to make back stitches at the beginning and at the end.
