How to Make Your First Quilt

1. Choose a simple project. A Baby/Crib size is a good start.
Simple squares sewn together work well. You can purchase charm packs at http://www.connectingthreads.com/ or most fabric stores. They are 5" squares already cut.
2. Lay out how you want the finished product to look before you start sewing. The floor, bed, or table works.
3. Pin the squares together before sewing. Quilts usually use a standard 1/4" margin. Look at your sewing machine for those measurements.
4. Iron each seam. You don't have the iron the seam open like clothing, but iron to one side.
5. Sew in rows. Then sew the rows together. Pin at each seam to keep them straight.
6. Choose batting made for quilts.
7. Use 100% cotton muslin for the back. You can buy muslin at fabric stores in 44" and 90" wide. Don't use a bed sheet. Sheets have too high a thread count for ease of quilting.
8. Lay muslin out, batting, and then the finished quilt top. Trim around quilt top, leaving at least 2" excess around each edge.
9. Safety pin together at the edge of each square
10. For handquilting, always use 100% cotton quilting thread, and a small quilting needle. You will probably need a thimble. I use a bandaid on my middle finger, right hand, or a leather quilting thimble.
11. The easiest way to finish edges is to buy prepackaged quilt binding & follow the directions on the package.

You can search Youtube for vidoes on handquilting.

Blue, Green, Pink Star Baby Quilt

Baby quilt made this summer with five inch charm squares.There were different colors, but same pattern. All were decorated with white stars. The quilt has the baby's name after the phrase, "A Star is Born," painted with acrylic paints. If you use acrylic paints, paint thickly or it will wash off in the first few washes.

Instead of the usual batting and back, I used cuddly fleece and machine quilted.

Handquilting time!!!

I finally finished my 1930s reproduction fabric quilt top. I made squares of 25 2" smaller squares of a large variety of colors and patterns. The finished top is 90" by 80". It took me a year to piece it, and now my goal is to have it handquilted in 2011.

Princess Marie is helping me as usual.